dyximan

I have been thinking about shooting Models and possibly nudes as of late, and thought I would look into this topic and section here on the hog. What I discovered for my self anyway was the following.
1) Maybe I am getting to old but the 3 pages I looked at did little for me and I do not mean in that way. just nothing artistic for me, a few but not many.
2) That all of the photos were of Woman.
3) That all but maybe a few were taken by men, I only say that because of the little thumbnail pictures or whatever they are called of the posters.
4) That all? (most)? respondents were men of my age or older I am 62.
Is this a mens only venue? or is it only men who have an interest in nudes? (Seems to be Primarily young woman aswell).
These are not meant to be judgments or criticisms, just an observation, and my curiosity. I would love to hear from any and all, on any of the aforementioned post, Both Men and Woman.

TheStarvingArtist

I am interested in what you think of my pictures?

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Only old, perverted men are permitted to post and comment.
And those who take themselves too seriously.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

We had a fe w people that were posting exceptional pics. Many here are just pictures, they dont pay attention to the background. They dont pay attention to shadows or models hand placement or the angle of the model. Then everyone says oh how great the pic was. That isn't helpful. What is helpful is, nice shot, you should have had the camera angled down a bit, we dont need tolook up her nose, the light is too bright,her skin is washed out, the window in the back has a reflection. That is what helps.
My nude pix suck, I keep trying and when I get some that are what I feel are good i'll post them . UNtil i'll just look and learn from others errors.

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

I always knew that you are a serious kinda guy, but I didn't know that YOU took yourself too seriously, Take it EASY my friend.. Happy holidays, and so -on.. RJM

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

It was meant to be a joke, but it is true that we all take ourselves too seriously every so often.
Happy Holidays to you and your family as well.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Sadly you will find more images of just naked women & men
than tasteful well composed, well lit etc. images on most sites.
Once you start shooting nudes you will find it isn't easy to get good artistic images, nor is it easy to find models that you can afford. During first few yrs. I just was not happy with my images, digital was my savior!! but it still takes work.
Personally I prefer more mature women, say 40+ yrs. Now at my age , just turned 80 last month finding models is not really easy!!
As to finding more nudes of women usually taken by men that's just the way it is.
Maybe you can change this

PaulG Loc: Western Australia

A lot of the stuff on here attracts placatory comments which seems to me to be what the poster is after or craving rather than genuine advice on ways to improve their work. Productive and valid feedback often elicits a defensive response which makes me question the motive of whoever is posting their "tripe" which clearly makes up the vast majority of contributions. Huge scope to raise the bar on this forum but most of the usual guff is persistently peddled (unfortunately).

PaulG Loc: Western Australia

That's funny

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Being a grumpy old man with a camera I would say that some of us enjoy the challenge of making photographs of new material. And the young women who are the most appealing subject matters are not intimidated by us... They could push us over and run away if we got too fresh! I have several friends and coworkers in their 40's and 50's that are quite beautiful and whom I would love to photograph - but they were raised with more conservative values and ideas than many younger women. They would also feel that they would be in an awkward situation and have to explain themselves if family, friends, and coworkers found out.

jcryan Loc: Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic

You have the most creative and imaginative posts on this site. Quality is always spot on. I would like to see more of your work.

RichieC Loc: Adirondacks

Yep, like any forum or critique, you should learn as much or more from mistakes- and learning what not to do or avoid, than from perfectly executed examples. Those perfect shots are for inspiration.

I always use the gymnasts in the Olympics as a metaphor... We are all so quick to tsk tsk someone who bobbles on the balance beam after they just did a double back flip, when 99.9999% couldn't climb up onto that 4" wide beam, let alone simply walk along it. They make it look easy- but it is nothing of the sort.

Same with photography or any art form or really anything! When done correctly, the procedure behind the scenes, position, timing, direction, subject, equipment... settings! They fall away - and you are left with something that seems obvious, or easy, something anyone could do ... "Look at that Ansel Adams shot he just happened by" LOL. Buts its an Olympic double back flip leading into a hand stand that is done so well, that took so much practice and raw talent... they make it look easy an effortless!

So actually this part of the forum has already helped you along your way- a valuable gift, even though you didn't realize it. ;)

OwlHarbor Loc: Pacific North West USA

I am 64 and enjoy the beauty of women who when they smile light up the world. Much of America has a hang-up about sex perhaps our puritan past and current conservative religious organizations, political groups, and laws. The phrase, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder is all about perception both in preferences and art. Young women are often more open, less inhibited and don't place restrictions on age. I have been a photographer for a lifetime and continue and have not done this type of photography, it seems appealing and who knows about the future. It appears that very few members have participated I don't know how the rest of the community feels about this. It's amusing that sculptures or paintings that are hundreds or older are ok and are art but modern stuff is an artistic expression but some consider it pornography is what is the issue. That gets us back to perception; in some parts of the world females are not allowed to show their face in public and are considered property, and I am fortunate not to know personally anyone who believes that.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

First off, in the homosapien species, women are the gender that hold the most beauty. (unlike birds where the male holds that title most of the time) I also think that men are most apt to see them as beautiful, but that's not to say that no women think of other women as beautiful. I'd just say that there are more men than women that see them as beautiful. It's just statistics I'm thinking of here. I happen to know of at least 2 women photographers here are nude photographers. One of them is a photographer and model. She does both. There is also a man here that is the same but he photographs himself in the nude. Not my cup of tea but I can't speak for other people.

Next, as far as how good the photos are that you've taken a peek at, remember one thing, this is a website with members that are new to photography, all the way up to pro photographers. Also, the art of nude photography is in the eye of the beholder. Personally, I don't like the really smutty photos and don't consider them much as art. But some might. Who am I to say. I prefer nudes that are posed well, done with some modesty, well lit, and women that are young or at least have a young appearance. What I mean by that is that I'm not into any old nude woman that wants to be in front of the camera. I do think all women have SOME beauty, but sometimes it's just their smile and it wouldn't warrant displaying the nude parts that aren't very photogenic. There is a photo of an older woman with tattoos that is slender, well built, has had a boob job, and is very sexy, but I really don't think she is of much beauty because she's rough looking. She's not tender, or smooth, nor does she have smooth curves that are appealing. Photos of a womans vagina up close is not artistic, that's just smut. But I'm not really shy and I'll look at it but I don't think it really belongs on a photography site where others are trying to learn the art of photographing models, or doing modeling in the nude. There are plenty of magazines out there that anyone can buy that show as much smut as you like and it's mostly going to be of good to great young pretty or sexy models. So I don't think it belongs here.

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

You've stated your opinion well and thoughtfully. No-one can deny that it is your opinion, and quite possibly not THEIR opinion. I applaud you and appreciate your perspective, and I sincerely hope that you don't get a lot of flack from some nimrods just because you don't have "their opinions". Have a great day! Truly