Wondering....

Hertz van Rental · Dec 29, 2004

...is all.
This thread was one about favourite photographers.

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...amp;postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15

I mentioned some, others were mentioned and I exchanged a few views with someone who had been taught by one of my favourite photographers.
No pictures were posted but I got taken to task by another member about pornography. Well if you read it you'll see. I still don't know what I did wrong.
I was wondering if there would be any mileage in having a section for the serious discussions about photographers, photography and associated issues.
I do NOT want pictures posted in it - it would be purely for discussions. But I would like it to have a big sign on the door warning folks to stay out if they are easily shocked.
I know we have a strict policy on offensive material but that should not mean we dumb everything down.
Any views or comments?

MDowdey · Dec 29, 2004

in regards to this subject, my feelings are as follows.

if you are engaged in an art such as photography, drawing, painting, sculpting, or anything for that matter...and the naked body offends you, then get out and find another hobby.

there is a difference between porn and artistic nudes. some dont see the differentiation

md

motcon · Dec 29, 2004

Hertz van Rental said:
I was wondering if there would be any mileage in having a section for the serious discussions about photographers, photography and associated issues.

from my experience, you won't find the folks that can 'hang in there' or 'put in the time' to engage.

sucks, but it's true.

Hertz van Rental · Dec 29, 2004

Have gone over it and the excitement was caused by someone else posting some links to Witkin photos. But as usual I got the blame.
I know that the conversations might be thin on the ground but it would be nice to have the option - and lower the chances of offending.
I mean there are one or two other minority areas that don't do much business....
Just a thought

Aoide · Dec 29, 2004

I think that MDowdey said it perfectly.

MDowdey said:
if you are engaged in an art such as photography, drawing, painting, sculpting, or anything for that matter...and the naked body offends you, then get out and find another hobby.

there is a difference between porn and artistic nudes.

I don't think you *have* to create a whole new area to discuss this subject, although I remember someone bringing up a photographer's listing before. Maybe a Photography as Art or some such focused forum under the Photography grouping.

And you did not post links. I went back and looked when the comment was made. I don't think you did anything wrong. I think that particular poster doesn't have experience. I get the feeling it may be an age issue, or maybe it is just an experience level. Sometimes education in a new subject matter can come with some surprises. But that is how we learn and we expand our world.

Alison · Dec 29, 2004

Hertz, I just wanted to comment on what a nice job you did in your reply to that poster. I feel you did nothing wrong there. It would have been something else entirely if you had posted a photo directly and not given warning. It's impossible to tell what others will find offensive, and like Matt said, photography and many other art forms do an amazing job at interpreting the human form. That being said, I will bring this to the moderator group and see what we can do about a forum.

Corry · Dec 29, 2004

I think a section like that would be a good idea. I personally don't know a lot about photographers or the deeper parts of photography that people like Hertz do, so I myself wouldn't be able to contribute, really, but I would LOVE to learn. Believe it or not, I did join this forum to LEARN, not just to goof off in O/T!!!

aggiezach · Dec 29, 2004

core_17 said:
I think a section like that would be a good idea. I personally don't know a lot about photographers or the deeper parts of photography that people like Hertz do, so I myself wouldn't be able to contribute, really, but I would LOVE to learn. Believe it or not, I did join this forum to LEARN, not just to goof off in O/T!!!

I was thinking the same thing...

Zach

Hertz van Rental · Dec 29, 2004

Thanks for all the positive input so far.
In some ways I think that a small user base would make discussions easier but we should take things as they come.
I was, at first, going to suggest a forum that was just for posting pictures of fluffy kittens and sunsets, where people could go if they were just starting in photography and easily offended - a bit like a training pool. But then I thought of the kicking I'd get for being fatuous :mrgreen:

cmptrdewd · Dec 30, 2004

Look, I see photography as an art. But I don't want to exposed to pictures of "places" where underwear belong! I don't want to click on a link and then be confronted with a nude photo! I just ask for warning about links or photographers! I don't want to be an outcast just because I want some modesty! Geez... :roll:

Corry · Dec 30, 2004

cmptrdewd said:
Look, I see photography as an art. But I don't want to exposed to pictures of "places" where underwear belong! I don't want to click on a link and then be confronted with a nude photo! I just ask for warning about links or photographers! I don't want to be an outcast just because I want some modesty! Geez... :roll:

No reason for you to be defensive. No one was outcasting you.

Hertz was merely making a suggestion. A suggestion that would make those of you that DON'T want to see or talk about that type of photography more comfortable.

motcon · Dec 30, 2004

cmptrdewd said:
Look, I see photography as an art. But I don't want to exposed to pictures of "places" where underwear belong! I don't want to click on a link and then be confronted with a nude photo! I just ask for warning about links or photographers! I don't want to be an outcast just because I want some modesty! Geez... :roll:

not to interject as i don't want a p**sing contest (i like my shoes clean and dry), but....

....art really has no place for prejudice. art is very delicate by nature in that nearly every facet is continually 'discussed' (not argued) and from that there is growth.

there is a time long standing book called 'the nude'. 593 pages. a great history as to the place and beauty of the place of the nude.

you may think that underwear 'belongs' there, but some of us find soul in the human body. heck, there's nudity in Michelangelo's creation of Adam in the sistine chapel...at the vatican. page 101 in my copy of 'the nude'.

further, people can't look out for your best interests. that's your responsibility.

art is about growth and communion. solace is a mere mouse click away to close the browser.

and i haven't done much in this post to further growth and communion, so label me as a momentary hypocrite.

/reality check.

oriecat · Dec 31, 2004

motcon said:
further, people can't look out for your best interests. that's your responsibility.

I think this is a very important point. Hertz listed some of his favorite photographers. That's all. He didn't tell anyone to look them up, didn't give links. Instead of asking "so what kind of work do they do? is it something I might like?" dewd just decided to look them all up and saw stuff he didn't like. If you don't know what you're getting into, then ask. If you're trying to find more photographers that you might like, then let people know what you like and ask for recommendations. But don't just look up every name someone plops down, especially when they just agreed with one of the favorites that was described as a "shock artist" right above it!