Would You Ever Pose . . . - Page 3

Poptart · 11-26-2005

"Do you know the difference between art and pornography? Pornography is in focus." Linda Hunt in The Year of Living Dangerously

Doug · 11-27-2005

I think posing people is a talent in itself, whether they're nude or not, and I've never sought out that kind of photography. But there was one occasion years ago when I was a member of a large urban photo club they hired a nude model and those interested had an opportunity to give it a try. I was awkward at first, and didn't know what to tell the model to do, so I just let her go through her own poses, and I'm pleased to say I went into "art mode" and forgot about other kinds of thoughts for the duration. I hurried to do the processing but as I recall there wasn't really much there that I liked. Interesting experience though...

Pherdinand · 11-27-2005

Poptart, that's a good quote, it's in the right direction, but i think it's a bit oversimplified.

OK, i have a side-question. Are you living in a social surrounding where it would be unimaginable that you pose nude or semi-nude? I mean, would it have serious consequences on your professional or private life if you did it and 'they find it out'?
I do [ok...i DID - right now i'm blowin in the wind] and i have the feeling that most people here do.

StuartR · 11-27-2005

Good question pherdinand, but I don't think many people are in danger of serious consequences if the photos are obviously artistic. Maybe some people who are part of a very religious community...

In any case, I doubt there would be any consequences at all for me if I decided to do it and it was done right. That said, I don't think I will be doing it any time soon...

Benjamin Marks · 11-27-2005

The world (particularly the digital world) is saturated with nudity. In light of this, the challenge seems to me to be to take a picture that isworth viewing by strangers more than once. As to my own nudity, who cares . . . I have definitely reached the peeping-toms-will-be-sorely-disappointed stage of life.

djon · 11-27-2005

Browse for Nahui Olin . One of Edward Weston's heads, I've always admired it. She was up front about her erotic career, theatric. He obviously knew what she was about, but I dont believe he shot her nude. Everybody else did. In Daybook I, Weston seems to breathe heavily about her, but she was occupied with "Dr. Atl", a painter. Weston was enviably-well-taken-care-of already. If you browse hard enough (!) you'll find her nudes by unknown photographers, taken in interests other than aesthetic. The others probably didn't share Weston's interest in vegetables.

johne · 11-27-2005

Pferdinand,

Ooooh! That retort was so good I will have to stea... uh, borrow it.
Johne

djon · 11-27-2005

http://www.rawworkflow.com/making_pi..._05/index.html

Nahui Olin etc.

Pherdinand · 11-27-2005

by the way that's a very good article, djon, independent of the subject of our discussion.

unohuu · 11-27-2005

i would in the right circumstances

artistic rather than exploitive

appropriate lighting

no semi or actual porn poses

i like the human form as an objet d'art

djon · 11-27-2005

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/dserrault/co...i_olin_jpg.htm

The thread has to do with nudes. Eros is the central concept. Weston is the master.

It appears that every one of the posts on this thread has overtly to do with "prurient interest" as well as personal awkwardness, especially the posts that try to sound reflective and cool.

None of this has to do with rangefinders, of course, since they're not the ideal tool for the purpose.

Rick Waldroup · 11-27-2005

When I was 18 years old and just starting out in photography (this is the late 60's). I would just about shoot anything for money. I was hired to shoot what I thought was going to be some nudes to be used for some cheap girlie magazine. When I showed up at the shoot, to my surprise, the photo shoot was to be for hard core porn. I shot it like I was hired to do and delivered the film to the customer but that was my last venture into that type of photography. When you are that young, all kinds of things go through your head. The whole time I was shooting I kept waiting for the cops to bust the door down! Also you have to remember that this was the 60's and although porn was big business then, it is nothing compared to today. Funny, I haven't thought about that photo shoot in many years.

dmr · 11-27-2005

Quote:

"Do you know the difference between art and pornography? Pornography is in focus." Linda Hunt in The Year of Living Dangerously

It seems like pornography is one of the most sought after products there is. It is literally the product that people will beat a path to your doorstep and beg to buy.

Quote:

artistic rather than exploitive

Exploitive, that's the word I was looking for to say where I draw the line between what's ok and what's not ok. Hey, I'm no prude and I've been around the block a few times.

However, I do have a problem with that which is demeaning or degrading.

You've got to admit that a lot of what we call porn is demeaning, either directly to those posing/acting/whatever or to society (to women, mostly) in general.

You see those disclaimers such as "no cats were harmed shooting this commercial" and such. You really can't say that about porn.

But again (devil's advocate mode) I can think of serious art or even reportage that's demeaning or degrading ...

Poptart · 11-27-2005

So what about Mapplethorpe? Is a bullwhip up the roosel demeaning or exploitative?

dmr · 11-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poptart

So what about Mapplethorpe? Is a bullwhip up the roosel demeaning or exploitative?

Well, stuff like that is just plain crude, but to quote myself ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmr

But again (devil's advocate mode) I can think of serious art or even reportage that's demeaning or degrading ...

Rick Waldroup · 11-27-2005

Mapplethorpe is really an enigma. To tell you the truth, his early stuff is okay but his later, more controversial stuff, is much more bold and original. Is it art? I don't know. Do I like it? Most of it , yes. I think he was really trying to reach deep within and photograph what he felt. For that I applaud him, but a lot of people think his later stuff is nothing but porn. To each his own I suppose.

djon · 11-27-2005

I found Mapplethorpe mundane, pedestrian, decorative. A kept boy himself, almost all details of his work were done by others.

zpuskas · 11-27-2005

To answer the question, yes, i would pose nude if I knew the photographer and knew they would photograph me only in the very best light!
My local photo group regularly has nude models (paid) shoots. I must say this is the most difficult subject matter...keeping that fine line between "art" and "the other stuff". My success rate during these shoots is dismally low because we sometimes get inexperienced models and they are not well versed in posing.
It's true "work" making a good image.

vincentbenoit · 11-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankS

"Preferring to be on the shiny" (base, not emulsion) "side of the film."

"The shiny side of the film"... That's good!
Cheers
Vincent

bmattock · 11-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poptart

So what about Mapplethorpe? Is a bullwhip up the roosel demeaning or exploitative?

Uncomfortable. For the rooselee, I mean.

bmattock · 11-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmr

It seems like pornography is one of the most sought after products there is. It is literally the product that people will beat a path to your doorstep and beg to buy.

I like porn.

Quote:

Exploitive, that's the word I was looking for to say where I draw the line between what's ok and what's not ok. Hey, I'm no prude and I've been around the block a few times.

However, I do have a problem with that which is demeaning or degrading.

You want to know what's demeaning and degrading? Me at my day job, that's what.

Quote:

You've got to admit that a lot of what we call porn is demeaning, either directly to those posing/acting/whatever or to society (to women, mostly) in general.

I don't have to admit it.

Quote:

You see those disclaimers such as "no cats were harmed shooting this commercial" and such. You really can't say that about porn.

That must that kitty porn I keep hearing about.

Quote:

But again (devil's advocate mode) I can think of serious art or even reportage that's demeaning or degrading ...

If it doesn't push buttons, it is just a pretty picture. Or so they say.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

celluloidprop · 11-27-2005

I wouldn't pose nude unless I lost a few pounds and went to Steve Carell's waxer from The 40-Year Old Virgin. Man O' Lantern calendar 2006, baby.

I've never shot nudes and never had a real interest in them (well, I have an interest in nudes, just not so much as my art). They're just not my thing, and it takes an incredible nude image to pique my aesthetic interest. Burned out on too many art-school-istas getting naked, I think.

Toby · 11-27-2005

People aren't exactly queuing round the block to ask me. And anyway in the current cold snap I fear I may be misrepresented

scotty smith · 11-27-2005

Shot a dear friend at her request a couple of years ago with candlelight only and T-Max 3200 pushed to 12000. It was the most difficult thing technically I've ever shot, and basically cured me of any desire to ever do it again. The problems I had getting the poses adequate to the lighting and making estimates on exposure values trumped any awkwardness we might have felt, and I considered it to be hard work. Anyway, got 6 or 8 good prints out of 4 rolls, so she was quite happy in the end. I did develop a great appreciation for those who do it well.

bmattock · 11-27-2005

You guys don't like porn, don't shoot nudes, probably don't fart. What *do* you do?

I laugh, and now I'm gonna grab another beer. I may scratch, ever buddy cover your eyes!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/f/frank-zappa/57174.html