The tilt and swing movements of the lens and film planes that are possible with a large format camera introduce further refinements to selective focus and defocus. The lens plane and the film plane don't have to be parallel. Working with a 4" by 5" view screen you can, at least in the imagination, rearrange the laws of physics to suit your own vision.
The nude used to be baseline practice for all visual artists, and I find it a bit sad that life drawing seems to have lost out against the poesy of more conceptual arts. But as with many things that are down to cultural or tribal traditions, I do what I choose, and still enjoy working with life models whenever possible.