JohnFrim Loc: Somewhere in the Great White North.

I've seen enough of Rob Eng's photos...

... no, I'm not saying 'stop'!!! ...

... to know that they stand out distinctively from many of the other offerings in this section. That's not to discredit everyone else, because there are many other photographers who are showing us excellent work. But I feel there is something special that just oozes "Rob" when I see his photos. I almost feel I could pick out his images in a lineup.

So, I am wondering if others have that same sense. And if you do, what characteristics you would ascribe to Rob's photos that would make them identifiable in a random collection? I ask this in the hopes that by analyzing his images we can identify the characteristics that make for good nude photography, and that others could then pay more attention to when doing a shoot. Clearly there are the 'standard' aspects of good photography such as exposure, lighting, setting, rule of thirds, etc would apply. But what makes Rob's work really stand out?

To start this discussion, here are a few of my thoughts.

First, I think he gets/chooses amazingly beautiful women. They have exquisite feminine features, smooth skin, great physique, etc. Second, I think he has great settings/backgrounds (cracked wall, concrete wall, bed, etc). Third, I think his models are all VERY comfortable doing the posing, and it shows in their expressions. Fourth, there is a purpose in the pose. I can't always describe it myself, but there is some message being conveyed in the image. It might be pensiveness, it might be a tease, it might be an implied invitation, it might be naughtiness, it might be serenity, etc. But his images are never just a snapshot of a naked woman.

Help me out with your thoughts.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

Well you could stop clicking his links then. Instead of coming online bashing someone.

What do you think you will accomplish by starting this thread.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

There are many photographers out there that have a certain style and can usually be picked out easily because of this style. This is a good thing. Rob is also very skilled at posing his models because he's practiced for a long time. Models come back to him because he's probably the type of photographer that gets results, is easy to talk to and knows his job. This is the trait of any good portrait photographer. I'm not very good with people unless I'm talking about something I'm passionate about. Rob is probably passionate about his photography. I wouldn't doubt if he gets many of his models from ModelMayhem.com Some of them are quite good and are only looking to build their portfolio. Some might charge a small fee.

JohnFrim Loc: Somewhere in the Great White North.

Excuse me??? Who do you think I am bashing? Did you read beyond my first line?

What I hope to accomplish is starting a discussion of the characteristics and qualities of good nude photography, as somewhat distinct from the characteristics of good general photography. Critique, positive and negative (if done politely), is part of the learning process. We study the masters to improve ourselves.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

Nope did not get past first sentence. It sounding negative

CResQ Loc: Cobble Hill, BC

Hey dirtpusher, I don't think JohnFrim is bashing Rob Eng, in fact quite the opposite, he is praising him for his talent. What he is doing is asking us to look at the qualities of Rob's work and recognizing what makes a great picture. The model, the setting, the lighting, the background, the pose ... etc. If we as photographers can pull out all of the qualities in someone else's work it can help us to improve our own art. Every photographer should aspire to other artists .... I know I do.

Best regards
Mark

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

To that I appologize. To much negativeness here. He may want to phrase his words lil different

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

He phrased his words just fine, if you read all of them.

JohnFrim Loc: Somewhere in the Great White North.

Well, I was trying to get the reader's attention, and I guess I got yours. Apology accepted... and appreciated.

But your comment raises another one of my peeves about this forum, and that is the number of people who DO NOT read a post or thread in its entirety before commenting. I know that when a thread reaches many pages it is easy to just comment on the original post, but many times a question has been correctly answered and folks still post suggestions (sometimes wrong). If readers have enough interest in the topic to click on it they should have enough interest to see what others are saying.

But that is off the topic of this thread. So, Dirt, what are your thoughts of what make Rob's photos so enthralling? Obviously you have seen them, and I suspect you like them.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

I suspect this is the way you acquire political information too. Only read the headline; don't ever dare to look at the details.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

You read so many posts with negativity starting out what this looking like. I've never seen his photos.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

That your incorrect. I do want to know what going on .

JohnFrim Loc: Somewhere in the Great White North.

I find it REALLY DIFFICULT to believe you visit this section, yet have never seen Rob's photos. I also find it odd that you have the urge to comment... about something of which you have no concept. Why???

JohnFrim Loc: Somewhere in the Great White North.

Really??? You can honestly say that in this thread?

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

I despise derogitiveness. On any subject. But on this one I stand corrected. It was the way this started out.