Black and White Nude

I've ran into pretty much a brick wall at college; my teacher's believe all

modern nudes to be next to pornography, and I would really appreciate it if

someone could tell me honestly what they think of this photograph.

Post-production manipulation minimal (cropping, slight softening to all

aspects, and converted to black and white), all other techniques done

physically

I always ask myself "What's the subject?" - what is this a photograph of? Is it of a naked lady, is it shadows, is it a boob?

i find the hard light on her arm/ elbow to be distracting, combined with the fact that the photo has a lot of noise.  I'd guess the subject is "boob" - but if that's the case, I'd prefer it to appear more prominently in the frame, and in better focus.

A for effort, but I'm afraid I'd send this back as a re-do.

Welcome to PN.

"my teacher sees nudes as pornography"......... so what is the mandate for the project........ what is the teacher expecting?

Something I learned years ago in college was to give the teacher/examiner what they wanted/expected because anything outside of the "norm" could cost you dearly in marks.

I have to agree with the previous poster......... what is your purpose with this image?

My answer probably emulate his.........

Sorry......... it is difficult to give advice on the unknown....... what is your teacher expecting?

Regards

Thanks for your reply, which I have "cut and pasted" here..... for ongoing comment.........

"Hi, no I think your response is fine, as it means that the photograph raises the same questions with other people.

The project is simply 'Portrait', with the stimulus phrase of 'relationships and power'. This is not the image I would have submitted for my course, but I wanted to upload my 'regular' work to get an idea of how I am doing. As for the focus of that particular image, I wanted to capture the shape and shadow of the female body. Simply that"

Hopefully other viewers can add comment here..............

Regards

Hello Kirby, As both a teacher and a photographer I must respect the advice of giving the instructor what he or she wants.

But as a judge of photographs let me ask the following:

1. You seem to have half a subject - what was the purpose or message you were trying to give?

2. Did you look at the histogram to adjust your exposure?  It indicates overexposure and blocking up of highlights.

3. Did you mean to make it so soft-focused as to be blurry?

4. What is the visual message of that huge black space?

5. Did you notice that the dark hair is merging into the background?

6. Do you know how to adjust the tonal curve to bring a subject's illumination into the range of what is possible in digital imaging?

I strongly suggest you get the model to do 1000 different images, poses, lighting, etc.  Then throw all away except for the 10 best.  Be sure you can defend why they are best.  Then throw away another 5 and exhibit the last 5.

Jerry

Well, I both acknowledge and respect the differences, it's this diversity that makes the world turn around. However, I also taught at university for many years and personally I rewarded those that thought outside of the mainstream, irrespective of my likes and prejudices.  I guess you can't chose your teachers though.

As for the photo, in addition to all the valid technical critiques above, I find the work half hearted, empty. My advice is believe in your convictions and go for them.