the beauty of the womans body (nude) Nude-1

First Attempt at photographing the nude figure. Any advice?

By the way...this woman is aproaching 40 years young.

40 years ain't near getting old but I have to say that I'm QUITE impressed, no really. Anyway, everything seems right, nice pose, good lighting, but I have a feal the picture is a notch out of focus. Nice shot none the less.

I question whether we are looking at the beauty of a womans body, or a manufactured "ideal". I don't usually comment on a model, but your intent to celebrate womanly beauty seems compromised by this "supra-normal" body... t

I think this is an excellent photograph. Lovely model. I noticed one thing about it. Because of the extreme black shadow, the muscle(s) (what I know about anatomy is below a thimble full) that connect the ribs to the front of the hip seem to be distorted, but aren't. This is in contrast with the thighs which have a little bit of light from below or more exactly I guess from below left. Perhaps a small amount of light, reflectored somehow, might reduce that feeling of distortion. This is like spending too many words on a slight hunch. Returning to my main point, wonderful photo, lovely model.

Very nice image, but it's not a "nude" until the model is nude! Loosing the lingerie will take this to a higher level artistically (as would changing this to black and white!)

So Tom...do you suggest I find a new model? Do you suggest that I tell her that her insecurities are not allowed in my photo's? Or should I just rename the damn photo to "supra girl?" Are my models allowed to wear make-up, or is that "supra" also? In the future, if you'd like to comment on a photo of mine, I'd truly like advice...not to hear your common rambling of negative remarks, like I've seen from you scattered throughout this site.

 

The glass seems to be half-empty for you...cheer up!!!

 

To everybody else...thanks for the comments, and advice. I truly appreciate and listen to any of your thoughts on improving my work.

 

TR

Your photos are beautiful, however I think Tom was simply referring to your models breast implants.If your intention is to celebrate a womans body shouldn't it have been an unaltered body? Don't get me wrong the photos were very well taken just change the title. Keep them coming.

I have to agree with Tom just a bit. To me this body does not convey "beauty" as much as it conveys strength and agility and sleekness. Almost like a cheetah in a sense. I certainly don't see that as an "insecurity" for the model. Whomever she is she should be very very proud that at age 40 she has been able to keep herself in that kind of condition.

 

Kevin

I certainly can see your point Kevin. But I don't think that it would require me to take away the claim of beauty in this case...do you? There are thousands of examples of artificial beauty in this world - Tell the African Tribes Woman that the plate in her lip isn't beautiful :) But again, I do see your point...and I know that was where Tom was headed also. I would simply ask that he might give some constructive criticism in my folders for now on.

 

Thanks for your input...

re: "How do you know they are implants?"

 

Seriously? First off, real breasts aren't perfectly round. And secondly (the biggest giveaway) real breasts don't retain perfect roundness when a woman is lying on her back... they fall off to the sides towards the armpits... that's the biggest giveaway - fake breasts don't move! They're just always round like that. But, the woman is still beautiful nonetheless.

Very strong composition here TR, with strong directional lighting that depicts the figure's endowments very well. The thong, in my opinion, is a non sequitor: What first appears as a figure study has a division created by the black cloth, creating an effect that almost looks as if the figure has been divided into two portions. Also, regarding the pose, being able to see both thighs is something I'm not sure comes across well. I wonder how it would have looked with only one visible? And what are those blue elements here and there in the background? Also, did you thoughtfully consider using color film, or was it used as a matter of habit?

 

This is an above average treatment with strong composition, strong lighting, and a good eye for the qualities inherent in this subject.

1st The photo is lovely, my only comment is on the backround the blue and black is slightly distracting. The body is well placed and posed. But..... the comments have been very entertaining. Best stuff I ve read in a long time.

Dude! My comment was misplaced in that I shouldn't have criticised your model (she can do what she wants with her body, I'm all for that) but rather the title of your photograph... "The Beauty of a Woman's Body (nude)". Perhaps something like "New! Improved! The Beauty of a Woman's Body, Enhanced by the Miracle of Modern Science and Glamour Photography Techniques of the late 20th Century"... or "The Beauty of This Woman's Body" or just "Supra Girl" would actually be pretty good.

You've managed to place a light on a womans body that accentuates her extreeemly large breasts (not, in my opinion, her most remarkable assets) and muscular torso (there you go!). Congratulations, well done.

So my problem is really with your title. It promises more than this photograph contains. She's supposed to be illustrating "The Beauty of a Woman's Body (nude)", but I find the beauty of a woman's body to be a more complex subject than this photograph conveys. If you put up a photograph of a woman's face with a giant plate in her lip and called it "The Beauty of a Woman's Body" the effect on our audience would certainly be different, and the appropriateness of the title would certainly still be subject to much (and much more heated) discussion, especially here on photo.net.

Back to your photo...The light is too simple, the composition abrupt and simplistic, and the pose is archetypical (cliche'). This photograph has been designed to ellicit a simple response in the viewer... okay, I get it... t

Look at all the excitement my "negative" comment has generated for you! Enjoy

Tom...I can certainly appreciate that response. To critique your critques, for some reason that was much less offensive than most of your other negative remarks :) As for the simple lighting, I like that style. But can you be more specific? What would you do differently to spruce it up?

 

And bare in mind, this was my first nude session, and it was with my neighbor (not a bad neighbor, eh.) I had no plans on being original here...just learning.

 

I'm now in search of an all-natural beauty to model for me. How about you Tom? :)

 

ahhh, do you mean am I available as a nude model???? I have before, but I don't think I'm your type...:^)

If you mean am I looking for a "natural model" well, who isn't? I have done pretty well in that department, but not often. See my Magnolia Grandiflora image for a good example of an unenhanced woman model. The woman is almost too perfect. I do have qualifying conditions that determine a subject's suitability for any particular image, and that's the issue you've inadvertantly run into here. A subject's particular suitability in illustrating the intended concept is important in the ultimate success of that particular image, as is the background, props and the quality of light... I'll try to find a suitable image to tack onto this post... t (later)

well I posted an image here to contrast with your photo.

The definition of feminine beauty is a constantly shifting one, thank god there as many types of beauty as there are people to behold it. I posted this photo of this woman because her body is slightly similar to the woman in your photo above (but 10 years younger). And to show what a little fill light can add :^) I'll be adding more in the future... t

here is another example of a wonderful feminine beauty (and more of my obnoxious critique style!)... t

Tom, I checked out your Flower girl...they seem altered to me??? Did you perform any physical inspections??? :)

Silicon breasts aren't beautiful. This photo does not represent the beauty of a woman. It represents the vanity and silliness of our society today.