Re: Nude photography

[palma allen <palmark@msn.com>]

Hi,

I've been lurking, reading messages when there's time but this thread is interesting because I've been photographing nudes lately. This is an unlikely situation for me because I usually photograph commercial stills.

 

I have been searching for alternative creative outlets. A photographer friend of mine (a man) photographs nudes (men and women). He usually comes up with the models and we use my studio. I am married and so is he. Our spouses don't mind and they don't even know each other. There is a tremendous amount of respect going on which allows everyone, including the models, to make each situation positive. No one owes anyone anything and there are no apologies.

 

No one will get over the "taboo" until they are actually in a situation to photograph nudes for a REASON. My reason was to learn something new which has now turned into other projects. I was nervous at first but then I was surprised to find that viewing a nude male or female is not that "intimate" for me. A lot of it has to do with the maturity factor.

 

It's not limited to whether someone is attracted to the male or female body. "Wow she has great legs (or whatever)" is not a valid attitude. Lots of models have great whatever's. Who cares? The question is "Why photograph a nude person?" 

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: shyrell_lynn@juno.com

Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2003 9:33 AM

To: List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students

Subject: Re: Nude photography

 

Quite frankly, I'm not interested in photographing nude women. I don't find the female body all that attractive, but then I am one. So the questions more to the point would be, do female photographers find the male body unattractive? Are male models on the whole more shy? Are men the ones who perpetrate the idea that a woman cannot resist a man in the nude? Or do men think the male body is less attractive and therefore hinder nude male photography?

Personally, I'd be too afraid of what negative things might be said about my reputation, not to mention the fact that my husband would never allow it. : -)

Shyrell

 

On Thu, 15 May 2003 16:46:16 -0400 (EDT) Touchofanartist@aol.com writes:

So... how do we overcome this taboo and become able to work as true
artists no matter what the subject is?  Or does this question make sense
at all? - I'm not sure.

Thomas

In answer to the above...guys, you're missing the point...a woman's body is far more attractive and interesting than a man's body...we have more curves...

Judith