What's the diffrence-and how to tell.

[gsgary]

There's some on here that think a beautiful girl in a bikini is porno, no nudes allowed on here bible bashers took over and got it banned

 

[jwbryson1]

Here we go again...

 

[Tiberius47]

What is the difference between nudity in art, and just plain pornography? Would you consider something like 'Mondo Cane' to be adult? Or art? At what point is it too extreme to show in the public and needs to be confined to private-whether intended for "it" or not?

I'm asking because I'm genuinely curios about what is socially acceptable. But to get away from nudity, what else would be acceptable? Would a professional photographer get in loads of trouble for taking photos of an autopsy if no laws were broken? Or how about a vicious fight? At what point would to get away from art and become "disgusting"?

-A late night questioner
​

To me, artistic nudes are photos that show off the shape and form of the human body. Pornography is stuff that shows off the genitals or is meant to elicit a sexual response.

 

[Big Mike]

To me, artistic nudes are photos that show off the shape and form of the human body. Pornography is stuff that shows off the genital

Just to pose the question....what about the shape and forum of the genitals? Those are part of the human body too.

 

[otherprof]

Re: the question of autopsies and violent fights, I couldn't help thinking of the Weegee show at the International Center of Photography, "Murder is My Business," which I thought was very interesting and well presented. Would the question of whether it was art or crossed some line come up if we were talking about painting? What subjects would be "over the line"? Crucifixions? Martyrdoms? Certainly, out of their contexts, they are merely obscene examples of violence. But given context, they have meaning, and exemplify sacrifice, faith, etc. On pornography vs art, I'm not sure if there is a sharp line. But two general suggestions: 1. I think it is easy for something to be art. All it needs is to hung on a wall, titled - even "untitled will do", discussed in the context of art, etc. But that is not to say that anything that is classified as art is either worth looking at or taking seriously, or that anything worth looking at should be classified as art.

Someone (?) once wrote that the difference between pornography and art was that pornography had no subject, only content. I think there is something right about that. I like puppies, so I'll probably like looking at any pictures of puppies, even pictures I would classify as "bad," (let it be as subjective as you please). I am looking at the puppies depicted, not judging the picture. In other words, my reaction is toward the puppies, not the work. To the extent that my reaction is also toward the work in which the puppies stand as subject, I am valuing it as art. I think there is a good analogy to be drawn with pornographic images, or landscapes, etc. If you are reacting only to what it is a picture of, you are not treating it as art.
Sorry I've gone on so long.

 

[PapaMatt]

That is a question you have to answer for yourself but the LAW is happy to do that for you. Depends on where you live

 

[Alex_B]

I think nude photography should be compulsory!!




All photographers should be nude

 

[gsgary]

I think nude photography should be compulsory!!




All photographers should be nude

Yes on every photography forum

 

[Josh220]

Yes on every photography forum

I have the suspicion that many members are already way ahead of you... One of those unknowns of the internet...

 

[Tiberius47]

To me, artistic nudes are photos that show off the shape and form of the human body. Pornography is stuff that shows off the genital

Just to pose the question....what about the shape and forum of the genitals? Those are part of the human body too.

Like I said, porn is also designed to elicit sexual desire.

If I see a picture of a woman's genitals that is about the form and shape, it doesn't elicit a sexual desire, and I don't think of it as porn. But if it's a woman spreading her legs, showing her bits and looking like she's about to say, "Come get it, you know you want to," then it is most definitely porn.

 

[Big Mike]

Well said.

OK, so here's another one. What if you're the type to get excited by the artistic qualities of the image? What if really good lighting turns you on? Is that porn or art? :er:

 

[Tiberius47]

Well said.

OK, so here's another one. What if you're the type to get excited by the artistic qualities of the image? What if really good lighting turns you on? Is that porn or art? :er:

Then I'd presumably get just as aroused by seeing a photograph of a garbage can with great light, and I'd be seeing porn everywhere, even when I'm walking down the street. "My goodness! Did you see that bin? You could see the garbage water and everything!!!"

And I'd say I'd have bigger problems than figuring out if a picture of a naked woman was art or porn.