I Don’t Like the Female Body…Apparently
Something happened several weeks ago that burned me for a while. A local model said I “Don’t like the female form.” WHAT?!
I wish I could say it’s a first. I get comments like that from time to time.
At the time I laughed at the absurdity of the statement. It was completely not based in any sort of reality at all. When I realized what it translated to it ticked me off. What it meant is I don’t take trashy bikini and panties photos. Or worse, a naked girl with blood and a knife or whatever weird crap young ironic guys do to get girls naked in front of a camera.
I simply don’t understand the mindset that if a photographer doesn’t want you naked or half naked he’s not worth taking your photo. But it seems to be a prominent one around here. There are guys who get paid to shoot canned, completely unartistic bikini shots and it astounds me. The same girls who would pay for those photos ignore me and I’d most likely not charge a dime. Granted the catch is a smidgen of class. Initially I would ask any model without bias if they would work with me to help build a portfolio. The responses from those who have a portfolio made up largely of naked and half naked photos left something to be desired. I was outright ignored by some after saying I won’t shoot bikinis or nudes.
God forbid a woman could be attractive with *gasp!* CLOTHES ON! So I guess it all depends on what you’re looking for. What your goals in life are. If you like naked ironic photos with a medium fish in a tiny bowl photographer as a status symbol online I’m not your kind of photographer. If you want to be in a bikini calender (and we all know those will be treated respectfully) then I guess I’m not your kind of photographer. If your long term goal is to be able to get naked for money I’m not your kind of photographer.
It bugged the CRAP out of me initially because I knew I was a good photographer and I was being completely ignored. I’ve come to terms with that now. I realize I’m in a place I don’t mind being.
This blog has been a long time coming. I have, in fact, met a few girls who take bikini photos who aren’t like the others. I even shot with one and she did and amazing job with clothes on. I will go out on a limb and say there is a place for things like that. There is a place in the artistic and commercial world for bikini photos and underwear photos. There’s even a place for nudity in art. There is even a place for sexuality and I’ve incorporated that into my work. But there’s a not so fine line between art and gratuitous flesh. I think it becomes gratuitous when the overwhelmingly obvious goal is sexual attraction for public consumption as opposed to a healthy respect for the natural form.
Very well put!!!!!! I agree 100%.
Omg! That comment aggravates me. Apparently, the one who commented has no clue as to what makes a great portrait or great photographer. Don’t let it get you down Justin. I have told you numerous times that you are one of the most talented photographers I have ever known. I have seen your work grow so much over the last few years. Argh! That just really makes me upset and is such an absurd comment.
Thanks. That means a lot. I hope I can kick this bug and get out to shoot. I have a new microlens I want to take for a test run.
can you tell me the difference in someone putting blood on someone and you using oil? Please don’t give me that mine was for a cause crap either.
Ummmm…they’re not naked? lol
have you ever considered maybe they just don’t like your photography and being naked has nothing to do with it.
I think that would apply to some, yes. Not everyone has the same taste. It would not, however, apply to those who show interest in my work until I say no bikinis or naked photos. You can’t flatter someone for their work then ignore them after one small bit of information without that being the issue.
The female body is beautiful both clothed and otherwise. However, too many photographers over-glorify the nude or mostly nude female body, usually for the tried and true “sex sales” reasons. The natural beauty of a woman who is dressed (especially in classy clothes) really gets lost in the mix. Audry Hepburn didn’t have to pose in a bikini to become the epitome of class and beauty almost 60 years after her rise to fame.
I really love the work you do, Justin. I love that you maintain your standards and strive to photograph pictures of women with everyday beauty and class. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Jan! I appreciate it.
I think I know who this post is about and dude you know his work is good. And you know its not all surrounded by naked girls with blood on them. He likes doing nude art, thats what he does and he’s good at it. And Justin you know that. Have you even looked at his photo stream anytime recently?
Nude art has always been a questionable subject but there are photographers that want to do it, let them do it without being criticized for it. He’s good at what he does no matter how many people hate on him, he’s taught himself everything he knows.
And how dare you use me as an example in this blog, you know how I feel about his work and yours, they’re completely different. You shouldn’t even try to compare your work with his.
Sorry, reading this really upset me because it’s obvious who you’re talking about. Not trying to be a bitch but there you go.
A lot of people have jumped at the chance to take offense to this. You’re not the first, trust me. The truth is it that it was instigated by someone who doesn’t even live in this state. It was fueled by someone that doesn’t even live in Huntington. I’ve actually rewritten small parts to make it more vague so it isn’t attacking a single person.
I could name 30 photographers if I could name one who do a variety of things I’ve mentioned here. I know who and what you’re talking about. And yea, I’m not a fan. I don’t have to be, that’s the nature of it. And he doesn’t have to be a fan of mine and I don’t care. My answer to your question about his photostream is no. He has not come up. So he was not forefront in my mind. I’m not the type to write an attack blog about a single person anyway.
These are ideas. They discuss my beliefs in how the female form should be treated. Not everyone is going to agree. When I wrote this it was about a variety of people. Look, I’m sorry if you’re offended but I have a right to express my thoughts. And I took the link off Facebook so it wouldn’t hurt people I know who misinterpreted it.
The thing I don’t understand is, you’re a photographer and you enjoy art and you’re criticizing other photographers that are trying to make their name known and trying to create something semi-original. We all know how hard that is to do nowadays. I would just think that people in your profession would support others doing the same. I know Obsolete Images could have said a few good things about your work without putting you down in any way because he can respect you for what you do. As you should for anyone else. This whole thing just confuses me. All photographers should respect what others do because hardly any of you will ever make a living doing what you do and yet you still keep up with it. Even if the equipment is really expensive, you keep doing it knowing theres no money in it.
I love my body and I love for it to be used as a form of art, I don’t think any of the stuff I’ve done is trashy or disrespects my body in anyway. I like your work Justin, I like how you won’t do nudes, I’ve told you this before but it just feels like you’re hating on something because your morals are different. And it burned me up reading this. Maybe I did misinterpret it, I just wanted to express my thoughts on the subject.
My blog was not an attack on you or him…or anyone else who has taken offense. Look, I most certainly have opinions and if I didn’t I wouldn’t be a human, I’m very vocal with them too. I love certain things and I don’t like other things. I think we live in a world where people are too sensitive. People don’t have to agree. They don’t have to like my work and I’m glad when people can say it. It’s personal freedom. They don’t have to read my blog either, this is my personal space to put what I want. And everyone can have one. Like I said before, I removed the link from Facebook so it wouldn’t be in people’s faces. I’m not afraid of other people’s opinions and that’s why I approved these comments when I didn’t have to. 90% of what I said on this post is aimed at bikini models. Ring girl and Patriot Girl types. But not all of them, just the bitchy ones. And the photographers who take trashy photos of them and over edit. 100% of the criticism has come from one or two lines I threw in to add texture so that it wouldn’t be a blatant attack on string bikini models.
I think it’s commendable that you don’t take nude shots. It would seem that most of the female beauty portrayed by a majority of media outlets is that of the naked — or half-naked woman. It irritates me to know end because the human body is just as beautiful in clothes… besides, it leaves an element of curiosity. I suppose I’m not your typical woman in that I prefer to be modest despite the fact that others tell me I’m beautiful (still working to believe that one). After all, there is a difference between classy and trashy.
*no end, not know…