Nude Photography

[Julia]

Re: Nude Photography

Interesting discussion that I notice is talking mainly about female nudity. How do the men feel about male nudity?

Personally I have no problem with adult nude photos that are 'art' not porn although I am very aware I am not as 'photogenic' as these models. I personally think top half nudity is ok but not bottom half.

I think most decent people know the line between acceptable and not acceptable images even if the line is not clear cut.

Julia

[lourensb]

Re: Nude Photography

Interesting discussion that I notice is talking mainly about female nudity. How do the men feel about male nudity?

Personally I have no problem with adult nude photos that are 'art' not porn although I am very aware I am not as 'photogenic' as these models. I personally think top half nudity is ok but not bottom half.

I think most decent people know the line between acceptable and not acceptable images even if the line is not clear cut.

Julia

I dont have a Problem with Male Nudity, I Just don't think it is as Common as the Female.

Also, yes I tend to agree on top Half, However you get Full Lenth Body shots, maybe with woman crossing legs or so on, where actual details cant be seen, witch could also be a Nice Art Photo.

This is such a Wide field, and yes, it will surely have to be handled with very caution.

[paul.r.w]

Re: Nude Photography

I don't have a problem with nudity or the showing of genitalia.

I'm not talking porn here where some sexual activity or context is meant.

[Patrick]

Re: Nude Photography

I don't have a problem with nudity or the showing of genitalia.

I'm not talking porn here where some sexual activity or context is meant.

I am at an age (64 in two weeks) that has seen many changes in what is and isn't acceptable.
As a healthy teenager in the late 50's and early 60's, I would go to a local shop a buy Kamera and Solo two publications from Harrison Marks featuring nude ladies, interestingly one of the models regularly featured was his wife. The pictures were carefully retouched on the full frontal shots to avoid prosecution, those same pictures if published today would be published in full detail, and not risk prosecution.
In fact book shop sell quite explicate publications showing consenting adults these days without fear of prosecution some claiming to be fine art while other are more honest and sell for what they really are.

In parallel to this relaxation we have the exact opposite experience.

Back in the 60's we could photograph children at play in the park on the beach at the fair ground and know one would take the slightest notice. Today taking those same innocent and charming pictures is viewed with deep suspicion if not down right aggression.

We live in an age of all or nothing, the middle sensible road no longer exists.

Patrick

[Ian]

Re: Nude Photography

I am at an age (64 in two weeks) that has seen many changes in what is and isn't acceptable.
As a healthy teenager in the late 50's and early 60's, I would go to a local shop a buy Kamera and Solo two publications from Harrison Marks featuring nude ladies, interestingly one of the models regularly featured was his wife. The pictures were carefully retouched on the full frontal shots to avoid prosecution, those same pictures if published today would be published in full detail, and not risk prosecution.
In fact book shop sell quite explicate publications showing consenting adults these days without fear of prosecution some claiming to be fine art while other are more honest and sell for what they really are.

In parallel to this relaxation we have the exact opposite experience.

Back in the 60's we could photograph children at play in the park on the beach at the fair ground and know one would take the slightest notice. Today taking those same innocent and charming pictures is viewed with deep suspicion if not down right aggression.

We live in an age of all or nothing, the middle sensible road no longer exists.

Patrick

Indeed - some time ago (about 1989) I was in Atlanta in the US for a trade show and a fellow journalist was desperate to go to an up-market topless bar and begged me to accompany him (100% truth - honest! ) - anyway, to cut a long story short, we went and it was actually a fascinating experience as, being foreigners, the girls were quite interested in chatting to us during theior breaks - and most of them were really very ordinary (in a positive way) people. But that's an aside - my colleague, who had been extolling the virtues of the girls and the topless bar industry, had a young daughter and I asked him if he would mind if she went in to this industry. He would have none of it - it was a them and us scenario. I think this typifies the modern situation; we are apparently living in a very liberal and 'open' age but it has hardened our idea of privacy and, in a sense, made us much more conservative.

It's very sad that there is such a level of mistrust in public society that even to show a camera in the presence of children could be construed by some as a distasteful threat.

But at the same time, if a website like DPNow has a record of middle of the road, family-friendly, values, the prospect of accommodating figure work that involves nudity - both whole and partial - needs to be done very sensitively.

Ian

[Jocelyn Walker]

Re: Nude Photography

I, as an artist, appreciate the human form! I've attended many life drawing classes, capturing the essence of nudity as it were, for Fine Art in the real sense of the word, with my chosen medium & materials! How anyone can misconstrue lascivious photos for Fine Art is beyond my comprehension. These 'Art' photos must obviously pander to people who don't know the difference between 'Fine Art' & Erotica!

[Patrick]

Re: Nude Photography

Indeed - some time ago (about 1989) I was in Atlanta in the US for a trade show and a fellow journalist was desperate to go to an up-market topless bar and begged me to accompany him (100% truth - honest! ) - anyway, to cut a long story short, we went and it was actually a fascinating experience as, being foreigners, the girls were quite interested in chatting to us during theior breaks - and most of them were really very ordinary (in a positive way) people. But that's an aside - my colleague, who had been extolling the virtues of the girls and the topless bar industry, had a young daughter and I asked him if he would mind if she went in to this industry. He would have none of it - it was a them and us scenario. I think this typifies the modern situation; we are apparently living in a very liberal and 'open' age but it has hardened our idea of privacy and, in a sense, made us much more conservative.

It's very sad that there is such a level of mistrust in public society that even to show a camera in the presence of children could be construed by some as a distasteful threat.

But at the same time, if a website like DPNow has a record of middle of the road, family-friendly, values, the prospect of accommodating figure work that involves nudity - both whole and partial - needs to be done very sensitively.

Ian

You have made one or two very salient points here Ian.
One: Double standards, your friend was quite happy for someone else's daughter to work as a topless dancer but not his own, the truth is the vast majority of use would take the same stand myself included if I had a daughter, but its still a double standard.

Two: I personal think if you are considering allowing figure photography on the site, it should be segregated in some way with warnings and separate pass words. Just in case something that could cause the less liberal minded offense should slip through.
As has already been established with this discussion what is acceptable to one may not to another.
I for one would not be offended my full frontal either male or female, even with an erotic element provided it is tastefully done. But thats where you could be walking on broken glass.
Erotic to one may be porn to another.

Edward Weston's carefully photographed peppers are considered erotic and not a bit of human flesh to be seen, very artistic, its all in the imagination.
On the other side of the coin he photographed children nude these images continue to be published presumably because he is who he is, but if any one of us was to publish these same images the police would be knocking on the door, in my mind quite correctly, if you know the images I refer to I'm sure you feel the same.

Patrick

[paul.r.w]

Re: Nude Photography

Who censors the censor?

I must tell you one day about my jury service...it was an obscenity case