What do you call photos of women who are naked that don't reveal the naughty bits?

Question

In my youth magazines were often shared amongst the older boys that had been taken either from parents or from the local drugstore. These magazines often featured blonde bombshells on the covers that looked as if they were not wearing any clothes, but positioned in an angle where the reader would be unable to see the naughty bits.

I was curious as to what the terminology for these kinds of photos were, if you please. An old chap has let me know they are called risque photos, but I'm not too sure what that means even if it does sound the slightest like what I am looking for.

For note, this question was made entirely for research purposes.

Answer 1

I think you are looking for glamour photography. It is also used as a euphemism for erotic photography and until late 20th century, it was referred to as erotic photography.

Glamour photography is a genre of photography in which the subjects, usually female, are portrayed in erotic or exciting ways ranging from fully clothed to nude but in ways that either may conceal or may otherwise not especially draw attention to the subjects nipples and vulva.

[Wikipedia]

Answer 2

I think risqué / risky is actually the best term.

Straight from French risqué meaning 'a risk, risky' and defined by the OED as

Risky
3. [After F. risqué.] Bordering upon, suggestive of, what is morally objectionable or offensive.

The reason I think this fits so well is the cover of a 'dirty mag' usually remained within the boundaries of decency, you could see no more than you would at a swimming pool or beach, but the pictures inside the magazine had crossed over 'the line' showing everything in full detail (I won't post example photos).

So the cover pictures are risqué while the contents are pornographic. (Or at least so I am led to believe, I only ever read the reviews of sports cars in them).

Answer 3

The word which seems close is "titillating". Titillating is defined as "used to describe sexual images or descriptions, etc. that intentionally cause excitement, but not in a serious way" (Source: Cambridge Dictionaries).

Although it does not explicitly define that model has to be naked in the picture with bits not visible but it comes close to what is meant I think.

Answer 4

My recollection was that it was called cheesecake. And if it was a guy in a similar pose it was referred to as beefcake.

Answer 5

The best way to distinguish the "old-school" type of photos, is to use an old-school type of word. "Pin-ups", "pin-up girls", or vintage, or, "vintage-style pin-ups," would convey your meaning. (Pin-up, of course, due to the popularity of these images with soldiers and sailors during WWI and WWII, and the practice of pinning them up over one's bunk.) ,

Answer 6

I like Boudoir Photography for its more positive connotations, although it's implied bedroom setting may not be precisely applicable to your question.

I would post a definition, but I am not googling that right now. Feel free to edit this post with one.

Answer 7

Soft porn or softporn is the term I grew up with in the 70s and 80s.

Macmillan Dictionary defines it as

films, magazines, photographs etc that show sexual images but not sexual acts

The "dirty" mags were placed on the high racks in the local newsagents, "boobs" were often shown on covers but rarely genitals. By the way, instead of saying "dirty bits", which sounds distasteful, I would opt for naughty bits which is (or was) a typical British English euphemism for sexual organs.

If the images of the women depicted only showed them half-naked then these are called topless photos. The exclusive purpose of these images is to sexually arouse the reader and this term seems to fit the OP's request.

The terms erotic and nude (art) photography can refer to artistic images of naked men or women in seductive, and provocative poses. Although the latter is a recognized art form it can include full frontal nudity, which some might object to and find offensive.