Between Light and Skin: The Male Nude in the Studio with Ajamu X - Saturday 21 November

Date: Saturday 21 November 2026, 11:00 – 17:00
Tutor: Ajamu X

This one-day studio course with artist Ajamu X explores the male nude as a central subject in fine-art photography, focusing on light, form, ethics, and the development of a personal visual language. Working with a life model in a controlled studio environment, the course combines discussion, demonstration, and practical shooting to support a considered and confident approach to photographing the body. 

The session emphasises both technical understanding and ethical awareness, encouraging you to develop a thoughtful and respectful studio practice. You will work with both Polaroid cameras (provided by Photofusion) and your own DSLR or mirrorless camera. 

The course will cover:

• Developing a personal visual language when working with the nude form 

• Understanding how studio lighting can sculpt, reveal, and abstract the male body 

• Approaches to directing and collaborating with a life model while maintaining a respectful, safe, and professional environment 

• Consent, care, boundaries, and ethical considerations when photographing the nude body 

• How light can be used to shape mood, atmosphere, and narrative 

The course will close with a group review and discussion of images made during the day. You will leave with a deeper understanding of how to work with the male nude in a studio context, along with practical strategies for developing your own ongoing fine art practice. 

Designed for those with photographic experience, the course welcomes participants who wish to explore new approaches to the studio to inform and expand your creative practice, whatever form it takes. To take part, you should have a good knowledge of the basics of photography, including a clear understanding of shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and how to combine these settings in manual mode.  

Please bring your own DSLR or mirrorless camera with full manual controls, along with a laptop to review your images. Ensure you come prepared with a fully charged battery and an empty memory card. Digital cameras can be provided on the day if you request them in advance. Laptops are not available. Polaroid cameras will be supplied for use on the day.

Please note there will be a nude male model for this session; therefore, the course is open to adults aged 18 and over only.

Ajamu X (FRPS) is a darkroom and fine-art photographic artist. Ajamu’s practice places the sensual - material attributes of process and production at the centre of the work, with a subject matter similarly focused on sensuality. 

Ajamu’s studio-based constructed imagery privileges those tangible/tactile sensuous elements of a socially engaged photographic practice which literally/metaphorically rubs up against the flattening out of black queer photographic practices to simple notions of identity - thinking and representation.  

Ajamu’s work has been exhibited in many prestigious museums, galleries, and alternative spaces worldwide. Tate has recently published a monograph on Ajamu’s work as part of their Tate Photography Series (2025).

Members’ Discount
Photofusion members receive a 15% discount on all courses.