Lauren (NSFW)

[rexbobcat]

I just think people have a very narrow view of female empowerment. I like the image, and I can see how it can be empowering. Not everything has to be on-the-nose.

 

[unpopular]

some folks latched onto my defense of the image as me being arrogant or over-confident in it being a "masterpiece". Bottom line, there was never any message being sent, or to defend.

The assertion that simply because a choice was intentional can invalidate criticism is inherently over-confident and arrogant. It's saying that whatever you choose is "good" by virtue that you chose it alone.

 

[Vtec44]

and so some folks latched onto my defense of the image as me being arrogant or over-confident in it being a "masterpiece". Bottom line, there was never any message being sent, or to defend.

Every picture I have ever taken is a masterpiece and I'm not shy about it.

 

[pgriz]

Our society tends to equate nakedness with sexuality, which is why breastfeeding gets into so much trouble. So, that's the elephant in the room, whether we want to acknowledge it or not. And whether intended or not, messages will be perceived.

That said, she's an attractive woman. Her pose is generally relaxed, except for the position of the right hand, which looks somewhat awkward in the way she's holding to her chin. Perhaps that was necessary to hide her left breast, but I'm thinking having her hand lower down, even if it revealed some of the breast, would have felt more natural.

In my mind, empowerment comes from the person feeling (and showing) that they are in control of the situation, that THEY are the ones who are deciding what will happen. Except for the previously-mentioned hand, the rest of her pose appears natural and relaxed. She certainly does not look out of place in the setting. That to me is a key part of the empowerment - that the setting not be forced or artificial.

In some ways, the lack of any clothing or props (as can be seen in boudoir sessions) communicate the lack of sexual intent. I don't feel the image invites us to look at her as a sexual being. And frankly, we "should" be more relaxed about seeing people in the buff, but as since marketing implied sexuality is so prevalent, it's hard to drop that form of brainwashing.

 

[DanOstergren28 3]

some folks latched onto my defense of the image as me being arrogant or over-confident in it being a "masterpiece". Bottom line, there was never any message being sent, or to defend.

The assertion that simply because a choice was intentional can invalidate criticism is inherently over-confident and arrogant. It's saying that whatever you choose is "good" by virtue that you chose it alone.

I don't see it as arrogant. I think we have every right to defend our choices, just as you do to critique them.

 

[funwitha7d]

one day, maybe 10 - 20 years time I imagine she will look back fondly at this image, its not something many would be into but she is attractive and this is a lovely photo, noting more nothing less but what a great record for her from this time, I'm not so clued up on all the technical things but just like it.

 

[unpopular]

I don't see it as arrogant. I think we have every right to defend our choices, just as you do to critique them.

I would agree, except that the choice wasn't defended. OP asserted it's success by virtue of it being intentional.

This is such a typical overly attached response to a critique.

 

[DanOstergren28 3]

I don't see it as arrogant. I think we have every right to defend our choices, just as you do to critique them.

I would agree, except that the choice wasn't defended. OP asserted it's success by virtue of it being intentional.

This is such a typical overly attached response to a critique.

Just as yours is such a typical response to someone explaining their choice in a photograph when that choice called to question and the critic disagrees with what the photographer has to say. Your critique is not universal fact.

 

[unpopular]

Just as yours is such a typical response to someone explaining their choice in a photograph when that choice called to question and the critic disagrees with what the photographer has to say. Your critique is not universal fact.

He didn't explain anything. He just said it was intentional. I don't care about that. This doesn't make it successful. I've made lots of bad choices in my stuff, choices I made intentionally.

I don't mind people disagreeing; I don't mind dialogue, but essentially saying 'yeah, but I'm right and you're wrong' isn't dialogue, it isn't an explanation or reasoning. It's just arrogant. It's an attitude that says "I don't make bad choices/any choice I make is always good".

If you're only willing to look at what was overseen in your work, you'll get nowhere. Those are like the little typos, with enough practice and feedback you'll get through them.

What you want to really listen to closely to is criticism of what you did intentionally, and really discuss what it was that motivated that choice and how that choice was or was not successful.

Those discussions are way more useful to me, and I never write this kind of critique off the way that the OP did here.

 

[DanOstergren28 3]

Just as yours is such a typical response to someone explaining their choice in a photograph when that choice called to question and the critic disagrees with what the photographer has to say. Your critique is not universal fact.

He didn't explain anything. He just said it was intentional. I don't care about that. This doesn't make it successful. I've made lots of bad choices in my stuff, choices I made intentionally.

I don't mind people disagreeing; I don't mind dialogue, but essentially saying 'yeah, but I'm right and you're wrong' isn't dialogue, it isn't an explanation or reasoning. It's just arrogant. It's an attitude that says "I don't make bad choices/any choice I make is always good".

If you're only willing to look at what was overseen in your work, you'll get nowhere. Those are like the little typos, with enough practice and feedback you'll get through them.

What you want to really listen to closely to is criticism of what you did intentionally, and really discuss what it was that motivated that choice and how that choice was or was not successful.

Those discussions are way more useful to me, and I never write this kind of critique off the way that the OP did here.

I don't see how "I'm quite happy if that's the case, and appreciate the perspective Can't agree with the second half, though. Everything here is pretty much exactly as intended" is an even remotely arrogant response. Quite polite actually, and you even mentioned in the first place that it worked, so what's the problem? It seems to me like you just wanted to accuse him of being arrogant because he didn't completely validate your opinion, and accusing him of such has nothing to do with the photograph whatsoever.

 

[BrickHouse]

I think it's lovely. The color palette and skin tones are very inviting and comfortable. I think pgriz has the critique I agree with most. Very nicely done. I am not distracted by the upper left corner, then again, I've never noticed if someone has a tree or post growing out of their head or some other comment that gets thrown around.

 

[funwitha7d]

very nicely put BrickHouse

 

[jenko]

I love the image. Very beautiful, natural, and the color is so rich and earthy. My next request for you is to get her in one of your gorgeous landscapes!!!! My heart trembles at the very idea!!

 

[DanOstergren28 3]

I want to make a picture like that, but never get a model that will do it

What about friends and family? You may be surprised at who would love to have photos of themselves like this.

 

[Vtec44]

I want to make a picture like that, but never get a model that will do it

Hey you can always do a selfie.