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Does this evoke any feelings?

 

It would be interesting to read comments of both

men and women participants of this site.

 

Thank you,

From a woman's perspective, I definitly get a feeling of violence and control. The grip of that hand says so much...

I find more agressive than I find comfortable. Technically it's quite well done but the feelings it brings up are very negative.

Its open to interpretation, though it appears the woman had her arms swaying in the air and does not appear to be resisting otherwise we will see her hands pushing away of gripping the man's arm. It certainly give the impression that she is a passive figure and giving in to her partner, I believe a viewer should see a wider picture without jumping into conclusion.

 

Gianfranco

 

The arm seems to almost invade an otherwise serene and relaxed nude photo, making things more tense, which I think adds to the originality of the photograph.

I like the contrasts and ambiguities Michael.

 

Black/white. Naked/clothed. Male/female. Rough/smooth. Tender/violent. Sensual/intellectual.

 

Brian

*****"does not appear to be resisting otherwise we will see her hands pushing away of gripping the man's arm"*******

 

In response to Gianfranco's comment, that is precisely what happens in abusive relationships...the abuser is in control and the abused person is unable to show resistance, even though the situation is obviously corrupt. Don't jump to conclusions? Why not? Art is supposed to evoke a reaction...

Would you consider this being a dance, and not an abuse?

Very well considered Michael, the nude woman appears to be relax her arms swaying in the air and body perked up and inviting, it certainly give the image that she is dancing with the man who is crasping her rib. Jill Myers perception of abuse is not so clear cut and no abuse women could express such a graceful pose. I think Michael's photo has sent out an important message about how today's society will automatically presumed "abuse" when male strength and submissive female nudity interact, if I love a woman so much I would probably hold on to her as passionately as that.

 

Gianfranco

 

I don't like that the womans head is cropped off. It seems to objectify her body rather than give her an identity. It reads male violence to me.

Yes it look more and more like dancing, especially those we see in ballet dancing or in ice skaiting. Remember Torville & Dean "Bolero", its plainfully obvious.

 

Gianfranco

 

Yes, I think it is soooo romantic when my man comes up and passionately grabs my.....ribcage? Come on! And if someone grabbed me like that while dancing...I'd find a new partner. Michael...are they really dancing? Do tell!

Well, I happen to disagree with you on the sense of abuse. I think that this image portrays the sense of power. The hand appears to have total control over the model's body. For me it's rather a photographer's control over the model, than abuse. Perhaps, it comes from the fact that I know that it is Michael's hand ;-) But the sense of power was my first impression when I saw this image.

I have to agree with Alex. My intention was to create an image, which is very well, actually, characterized by Brian. The power that is contained (but not released!) in the male hand and of coarse ambiguity of the resolution of the scene that would entirely depend on background of the viewer. This may be a hand holding a woman and preventing her from falling down, holding her from flying away as both bodies rotate in a dance,

it may be a passionate reach for a loved woman, extremely powerful one yet not harming at all, just showing the potential masculine power that women enjoy so much...

 

First I want to say this, Jill, I don't want to upset you, I think there are many abuse women and men in the world and I sympathise with their suffering. Back to the photo, as I said its more passion than anything, Mills & Boon stuff. Last saturday I dance with a goth woman at a club, she had no knickers on and wore very thin cloth and I did got hold of her ribcage like the photo suggest and ran my hands down her waist and around her buttocks then back up again, she loved it....:)

 

Gianfranco

 

wow...a little more than I needed to know! I just got a little defensive when you seemed to be telling me my opinion was wrong..."plainfully obvious." Of course this couple could just be dancing or passionate or whatever...I just gave the impression I got personally. If I saw this photo hanging somewhere without a description, that is what I would think. It's good for photographers to hear how varied the reactions can be to their work. = )

Jill, I surely thank you for sharing your opinion.

Keith, perspective is not engendered so by not being a woman does not mean your judgement are impaired in anyway so please you don't have to apologise. Jill, your comments are appreciated, yes their are plenty of violent people around, the photo may on one hand be seen as male violence against a defenceless woman for someone who were victims themselves, equally a male victim may also say the man is trying to defend himself against a woman attacking him with a knife. However the photo as it is does not invoke violence, its rather beautiful.

 

Gianfranco

 

You just don't get it. Someone who is a victim herself would see it that way? Can't you see how judgemental you are being? Why are you so unwilling to accept that a piece of art can be interpreted different ways and there is not necessarily a "right" and "wrong"? Never mind...I give up. Oh wait...I'm not being too submissive am I? I wouldn't want to be mistaken for a victim...