Zone-System-Grandpa Loc: Springfield, Ohio

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If a fella sowed more than his share of wild oats when he was younger and he is now married the right woman, he wouldn't have a need to open up a nudity site or section. That said, if there is a method set up within this system or venue that shows who has accessed the nudity section, I guarantee you that you won't be finding my name anywhere near it. I can only imagine that photos in the nude section are high class ! Not !!!

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Point taken SS - will do.

Toby

The site contains what I would call “snapshots” and high quality portraits. I am not sure I could adequately define what I like until I see it so don’t restrict the posting except for porno (which gets into a whole other discussion but you know it when you see it). There is probably the same mixture with viewers, some are voyeurs and some are more students of photography. Let the site encompass all of these and the viewer can choose. The biggest suggestion I can make is how about a diagram of the different lighting set ups or at least show different lighting with the same pose so we can see the effects.
The other categories are pretty good in that they all occasionally have some information on techniques but I don’t think any other category has as much art. It’s nice to look at photos of something other than birds or the family pet.

Toby

I guess it depends why you are looking at this section.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

You are just demonstrating your own personal issues and prejudices with that comment. Nothing wrong with nudes, it's just a question of style. Are you going to condemn Helmut Newton or Annie Leibovitz or David Bailey or Sandor Botticelli or Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni for their nudes that are considered to be high art by many?

Perhaps it is time for you to have another session with your therapist, you seem to have a few guilt issues still to deal with.

If "God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female, He created them." according to the reports in Genesis 1:27, and we're all born into this world naked where is the problem? Tasteful nudes could be considered the highest form of reverence. Why not have a forum to discuss such things?

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Sorry, I really thought you were and I did not have a problem with that, quite the contrary.

What hang-up? My only and single reproach is that the quality is similar to 'amateur' voyeurs and so are most of the comments. That is not a hangup. It is an observation.

Men? Did not see any so it shows how little I pay attention. That they are better made, according to you, does not surprise me. They usually are because the models are not 'sex objects' to be displayed, unlike women. I know how internet works. Speaking of male nude when you have a strong older conservative membership is waiving a red cloth in front of a bull. My comment will be transformed sooner or later. That you berate me for 'not having been flamed yet' is strange. It will come back to haunt me.

Nude or more precisely figure photography is the most difficult field as it is very easy to fall into the tawdry. Well most have already have. I see that both in the captures offered and in the comments.

Someone posted pictures of an older woman. The comments were 'She is beautiful' addressing the plastic. Personally I saw the plastic flawed, the captures 'clinical' (no inspiration). I saw something else thought much more important... A woman who, while of a certain age, is strong and affirms her femininity. There is courage in this as well as a show of self confidence few women have, young or old. The pictures are sub par and do not transfer the model qualities. The comments are worse, demeaning at best. The end result is deplorable. Do I see too much? I do not think so.

Another posted some 'nudes' and mentioned that she was drunk and later became a porn actress... This says it all. I somehow am in contact with a photographer who worked with the SG porn web site. I asked some questions. Turns out that they refuse to take pictures of anyone who comes in drunk or high for a shoot. For all he knew or cared some could be addicts or drunks but they better be sober for the shoot to be accepted.

THAT is the beef I have with nudes and not only in UHH.

There is another issue that can shutdown UHH if one model has not signed a release and somehow find herself here. If you think every 'photographer' here has model release that includes digital rights anywhere you are naive. I have the same concerns with anyone publishing a portrait w/o authorization. I have spotted at least one (that I commented on as 'not original enough') that certainly does not have a release as it was a poor scan of an image taken when even scanners did not exist so the possible release is at the very least iffy.

But then again, who am I to point out this sort of things? An idiot to even dare approaching the truth.

As to "morality" hang-up, I am the one suggesting hiring prostitutes because they would be cheaper than a professional model (does not mean you do not need a signed release).

Rongnongno Loc: FL

The decrepit is not referring to nudity but to me.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Interesting! Perhaps I didn't get that, but I've never thought of you as high art!

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I don't sneak, I'll just go there, that is the part of the beach I use

Rongnongno Loc: FL

You are right. I misread him. My apologies to both.

This time the 'attack' was against SS. Just another bible stump-er harping SS for creating the section (something I thought too) but was disclaimed in a later post to me.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Sorry, but I really do t have the time to go through and answer all of this. But all of your points are well taken.
I did mention that that I felt that the quality of the photography I see in the nude section, I feel is on a higher level that most of what I see on UHH. the use and knowledge of artificial light alone is on a higher level
Than what the average photographer is capable of. I shoot all genres of photography and a few of them professionally, I can surely spot crappy photkgraphy.
I do find it interesting that you find a lot to tear down I invite you to come in a give constructive critics in order to help your fellow photographers grow as photographers. If you are that good at seeing what's wrong, certainly you could easily help with lighting and composition.
How you feel as to the voyeur aspect, I don't see how you can honestly say how anybody else personally views how they approach their subjects you are projecting your own interpretations, whether they be how you feel or think is not for me to say.
From experience, and none of us here are young kids, the strength and vehemency by which a few are opposed seems more guided by their religious beliefs than actually art or reality.
By some of your remarks I'd say you think that "figure Photography" is best learned from the top down and not as a beginner getting better! Alas, unless one is a nude professional, the work is not worth posting or viewing. Like every thing we see here at UHH, from the most blurry bird at a feeder to the fattest, ugliest grandchild, there is no room for improvement or personal growth.
Even a pic of a beautiful car is often called sexy. I don't think those cars are being compared to a coffee table, no, they are compared to the beautiful curves found on curvy women. I would not consider those commenters voyeuristic pigs!! LoL
Remember that little people spend their time talking about other people. Big people spend their time helping those people become better!
SS

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Cowardliness is NOT a trait of bravery!!
SS

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Too bad you did not the take the time to read as you would see I did find some redeeming quality... In the model(s).

For info, I am a dwarf. I never claimed to be a giant.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Is that a good things come in small packages comment, or something else?

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I swear, if I posted a topic where I stated that the sun rose in the east and set in the west that by the end of page one there would be a full blown argument going on! We really should have a Hog members party! It boggles the mind to think how that would turn out, but the photo ops would be priceless!