I have mixed feelings about this. BP is not entirely wrong. This is a very unflattering image. It has nothing to do with the age of the model. I shoot older women all the time. In fact I have had five shoots with one particular model who was over 50. They showed an extraordinarily energetic and beautiful woman whose body was changing, but beautiful in that.

The problems with Sue's photo are in part, the result of a photographer who seems new to the medium. . He could be directing the model, Sue, to more esthetically pleasing poses, improve the lighting and composition, both. The facial expression shows her unfamiliarity with posing nude and some discomfort with it. The pillow or towel under Sue's breasts emphasize the fact that they are elongated.

Poses that have more of the body, with a more open pose would help her express her personality. Supine poses would remove the pressure of gravity on her breasts. A softer, more dimensional light would be more flattering. Posing in lingerie would be good. Also, just a touch of skin smoothing would help.

I would love to have Sue as a model. Most of my models, whether young or old, are amateurs or less experienced. They almost all express their personality in the shoot.

The nude body and particularly the female body, is an almost perfect subject for beauty. It exhibits gorgeous lines and curves, but it also is under control of a mind and emotions that can govern its presentation.

I am guessing that there is some mutual discomfort in this photo session. It may be general discomfort with nudity or it may be something personal. Not only discomfort with the breasts hanging, but with the nudity in a non-sexual environment. This is the first obstacle. Sue looks like she feels she is doing something "naughty". She is not, of course, but most of us grow up in an anti-nudity culture.

If Sue is ever in the SF Bay area, a direct email to me could result in a shoot. I love photographing women over 50. It is very hard to find mature models.

All that said, I do applaud both the photographer and the model for pushing their personal envelopes.

I have mixed feelings about this. BP is not entirely wrong. This is a very unflattering image. It has nothing to do with the age of the model. I shoot older women all the time. In fact I have had five shoots with one particular model who was over 50. They showed an extraordinarily energetic and beautiful woman whose body was changing, but beautiful in that.

The problems with Sue's photo are in part, the result of a photographer who seems new to the medium. . He could be directing the model, Sue, to more esthetically pleasing poses, improve the lighting and composition, both. The facial expression shows her unfamiliarity with posing nude and some discomfort with it. The pillow or towel under Sue's breasts emphasize the fact that they are elongated.

Poses that have more of the body, with a more open pose would help her express her personality. Supine poses would remove the pressure of gravity on her breasts. A softer, more dimensional light would be more flattering. Posing in lingerie would be good. Also, just a touch of skin smoothing would help.

I would love to have Sue as a model. Most of my models, whether young or old, are amateurs or less experienced. They almost all express their personality in the shoot.

The nude body and particularly the female body, is an almost perfect subject for beauty. It exhibits gorgeous lines and curves, but it also is under control of a mind and emotions that can govern its presentation.

I am guessing that there is some mutual discomfort in this photo session. It may be general discomfort with nudity or it may be something personal. Not only discomfort with the breasts hanging, but with the nudity in a non-sexual environment. This is the first obstacle. Sue looks like she feels she is doing something "naughty". She is not, of course, but most of us grow up in an anti-nudity culture.

If Sue is ever in the SF Bay area, a direct email to me could result in a shoot. I love photographing women over 50. It is very hard to find mature models.

All that said, I do applaud both the photographer and the model for pushing their personal envelopes.

Wili, are you saying that the way Billy gives his critique is an honest and intellectual and constructive way to give critique?!
You and Billy are smacking if elitist, show only beautiful 18 year old BOOTY, or it has absolutely no place in a learning envirenoment.
And where are YOUR suggestions for improvement? Reinaldo gave his opinion and had many positive suggestions on how to improve the shot beyond just his opinions. Tear a page out of his playbook and memorize it.
Sure, anytime I take a crappy shot, it is definately my fault. Sometimes it takes working with a Model more than once to figure out what works and the more experience one has the easier it becomes to take captures that are becoming of a model on a first session.
I see a parade of the ugliest grandkids shown here on the Hog and rather than bite my lips off, I quietly back myself out and move on.
For some reason this section has drawn people in that don't shoot the genre but it appears to be their mission to point out how these images affect their personal sensibilities, as if the OP's have begged for them to spill their insecure baggage.
Wili, I suggest giving critique as critique should be given, or better to get out.
When everybody can afford the big buck models we will probably see mostly young, beautiful 18 year old BOOTY, since that seems to be the only thing that's important to some.
When a photographer is GOOD enough, models will seek them out at no cost to the photographer, but until that happens, most will have to make do with whatever models they can find, but they still need to be treated with the same equal respect as the high dollar, 18 year old BOOTY shooters.
I just can't figure out what of any of this some just don't get?!?!
SS