A Post about Glamour/Nude Reactions

[xmacvicar]

Hey Everyone,

My name is Dave - I post here on the glam/nude section sometimes, not often, but sometimes. I enjoy taking glamour pics of beautiful females -- I find it a beautiful way to photograph people. However, I have been taking a massive backlash to glamour photography of females (and even men for that matter). My classmates, as well as others in my circle see absolutely no point to taking a picture of a female in a glamorous position, or half nude - or whatever the pose may be.

Many people see it as a complete cop-out; strictly to get girls half naked in your studio or men in your studio. I am starting to get angry about this because people think my photography isn't artistic or it isn't even worth doing. They think I should be out taking abstracts of a piece of glass on the ground or something like that.

Do any pure glam/fashion/female/male photographers have any responses to such ways of thinking?

I know a local guy here to does mostly just girls, in pretty provocative positions and clothing; people hate him because they think he is basically doing it to get a rise from the whole thing. When he's not shooting girls, he's doing the occassional wedding to make some coin, but always goes back to the glamour/half nude stuff.

Any comments, critiscms, anything on this sort of thing? Im sure its been discussed before

Dave

[n.e.photo]

Hey Dave, funny that this should be a topic that popped up on here since this is something I discussed with my favorite model/girlfriend the other day.

I sometimes had it in the back of my head when discussing with non photographers about the style of photography that has peaked my interest the most, which is the glamour/fashion/implied nude photography, that they would look at me as the type of person just looking to get girls naked as you said. Then it occurred to me that the only type of people, especially guys, who would look at it in that sense are those who would use this style of photography for that means themselves.

My girlfriend is maybe the most understanding about what I do, since she has been a part of it since the beginning, and everyone I hold close as a friend or family has always been supportive of my work, the rest don't matter in my opinion. Like I said, the only people who look at it as a form of perversion rather than a form of art are those who would abuse it as such if they were put in the same position as we are :)

[R_Metzel]

Sounds like they are just jealous they can't get beautiful men or women to pose for glamour or nudes for them. :lol: Yes, there are people that do it just to take pictures of naked people without an artistic side in mind, but I think most models can tell from the photogs portfolio what they are really about. Photography is a form of art for most people. So do they think those famous artists that drew or painted nude people, who works fetch anywhere from 5 to 7 figures, are just a bunch of perverts?

There are many photographers who's tastes or styles I don't like, but it is THEIR artistic view, so how can I tell them they are wrong? That is like telling someone their opinion is wrong! You just can't do it. If your classmates of friends don't like your style, tell them not to look at it. There is a difference between pornography and glamour nudes, and if they can't tell the difference, they shouldn't be behind a camera, or even judging something they know nothing about, IMO.

I take every criticism I get about my style with a grain of salt, some like it, some don't, but that isn't going to change my views of what I see in my head. The only opinions I really listen to are the ones that are on the technical side, like lighting or composition, to help me learn more aspects of photography. How I see they subject and want the subject or setting portrayed is my artistic view - and no one can change that!

[xmacvicar]

Great posts to everyone, thanks for giving me something to think about :D

[Double Negative]

Who really cares what they think? Do what you enjoy.

[Woolburr]

Who really cares what they think? Do what you enjoy.

You stole my post.;)

Shoot the things in life that make you happy, the opinions of a bunch of mindless idiots shouldn't carry a whole lot of weight. Photography needs to be done on your terms. When you are happy and comfortable with your work, it will show in the finished product.

[Mcary]

You stole my post.;)

Shoot the things in life that make you happy, the opinions of a bunch of mindless idiots shouldn't carry a whole lot of weight. Photography needs to be done on your terms. When you are happy and comfortable with your work, it will show in the finished product.

Totally Agree :)

I look at it this way everyone has a right to their opinion and I have a right to not care what they think :)


Mike

[Tixeon]

I love this quote:

'Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind'
Dr. Suess

[cosworth]

A cracking read this, long and long winded by many. but a good discussion that might give you some more insight.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=275912&highlight=sistine

People who say you are doing it to get "XXX" from it are most likely the ones who would get "XXX" from it.

If there were a photographic solar system of "acceptability" the 9th planet would be called "Helmut".

[DocFrankenstein]

Just say something to the extent: You're judging by your own reaction.

Just like cosworth mentions

[PhotosGuy]

Like our forum, with 95,000+ members, I don't expect everyone to have the same taste.
95,000+ members =94,999+ opinions? :D

[Longwatcher]

If there were a photographic solar system of "acceptability" the 9th planet would be called "Helmut".

Actually I think they are a few more farther out then Helmut.

I of course got looked down upon when I was taking a studio lighting class because I admitted to doing nudes. But what I found humorous was the number of other students who turned in nudes at some point (not all, but about 25% ). But the fact I admitted it was probably what got me in trouble.

I say too bad, I have my own hangups, but I don't have to take theirs in as well.
Do what you like to do and produce the best work you can. that way you will always know that despite what other's say you are doing your best and that is all that really matters.

[blonde]

Who really cares what they think? Do what you enjoy.

x100000

do you like shooting glam & nudes? do you feel that you get to express your creativity?

let them think what they want. in the end, it is your work and your life.

[Modine]

Wow. A thread about nude and alleged glamor that's NOT in the forbidden zone!

I think that what some people object to in some nude photography is the lack of a message. For some photographers, the fact that the subject is nude IS the message. That doesen't go very far for a lot of people.

For others, the message is to be found in the technique: that the nude form is beautiful. Lacking technique, the photographed human form is rendered flat and lacking sensuality.

Then there's the objectification argument against nude photography which follows the line that the human being is reduced to a two-dimensional subject, and blah, blah, blah.