About 2,500 people stripped naked on Australia's famous Bondi beach on Saturday, both to raise awareness of skin cancer and to pose for photographer Spencer Tunick who is famous for his large-scale nude shots.

Legislation had to be changed to allow public nudity on the beach – people had until 10am to go naked on Bondi before risking a fine.

The number of people represented the approximately 2,500 victims of skin cancer each year in the country. Australians top the world for mortalities to the cancer and the photographer said he hoped it would encourage people to get more regular checks.

The video shot in the morning of November 26 shows the crowd on the otherwise empty Bondi beach, filmed from one side of the famous beach.

Photographer Spencer Tunick strip off for skin cancer nude photo shoot at Bondi Beach. The first photo by Spencer Tunick was taken at just after 5am as the sun was beginning to rise. About 2,500 people were estimated to have taken part.