The Master...non-nude....but hot.

Derweissehai

Here is one from this past weekend. Get a glass of cold water.

dogwood

Over a hundred views and not one reply... well, I'll take a stab at it.

It doesn't quite work for me and believe me... I'm not a prude who doesn't get this kind of photo. Technically, it seems fine but there's something I can't quite put my finger on about what's not working for me.

Maybe it's the couch? It might be a stronger pic on simple white with no couch and with lighting from an umbrella or other broad light source above the camera. The model on the left has a screaming hot outfit but I almost wish more was made of the outfit in the photo. Not to be too crass, but perhaps making more of her ample chest in the photo by shooting more of an angle rather than profile?

Also, neither model is really convincing in terms of expression-- both of them have their mouths closed and don't really seem like they're committed to the roles you gave them. The model on the right especially-- I'd like to see her chin higher and a lot more attitude.

Shooting from a little lower angle would also help with the domination aspect of this-- maybe make the model on right really seem commanding and all? Maybe give her higher heels (like the model on the left has)?

Finally, I'm personally not a fan on masquerade masks, but I get that's part of the story.

I'm sure you have plenty of photographer favs but in this kind of genre, I love how the late Bob Carlos Clarke captures sexually charged situations like this and also Emma Delves Broughton. And of course there's Helmut Newton too. I think if you look at their pics, you'll get more of a sense of how to make a static photo like this really come to life. One more photographer to check out is Christine Kessler-- she really seems to be able to take situations like this and make them scorching hot without being pornographic.

KED

dogwood wrote:

Over a hundred views and not one reply... well, I'll take a stab at it.

I

Well, it's New Year's Eve, which is my least favorite "holiday", and I can't wait for 2008 to be over, so you can see the mood I'm in, but I will take my own "stab". I'm not a fan of the OP's work in general, but have heretofore simply refrained from commenting. I am no prude and I have great respect for edgy photography, but to me this is a photograph of two unattractive women, at least one quite overweight, suggesting F/F dominance that appeals to a very narrow fringe (narrower still with the Mardi Gras shtick), posed unimaginatively in an unattractive setting. Perhaps the OP is interested in the merits of his B/W rendering, but the content should never have seen the light of day IMO.

AngryRed

I think its good stuff. A lot of what Dogwood stated is hard to argue with but I'm not sure its as bad as Ked insinuated. For one thing, to me, its definitely not "unimaginatively in an unattractive setting". It seems creative and spontaneous but there is a slightly staged appearance to the model on the right that contradicts the whole scene. The model on the left seems spot on to me with the exception of her mouth. Her lips seem a bit pinched but considering her predicament that could be forgiven. Other than that she looks great.

Something is off on the model on the right. Whether its her stance or her exprssion something is a bit askew for me personally.

As a whole the scene seems impulsive and maybe even bit forbidden in that naughty kind of way. I like it Derweissehai.

evoryware

why criticize the models weight? How about the photography?
I agree with Dogwood regarding everything he said. The shadow on the standing models leg is distracting. The couch is unnecessary.

baldmountain

n00b here so take what I say with a grain of salt...

Like others have said the couch adds nothing and is just a distraction.

The woman's hands on the right disappear into her outfit.

But the bigger issue has to do with shadows. Shadows all over. The woman on the left's elbow on the legs of the woman of the right. The string on the woman on the right's leg. The feather on the face of the woman on the right. Both woman's faces are in shadow. Even thought the light is harsh there are NO highlights anywhere. All the most interesting pieces in this picture, (the women's faces), are in shadow. If you look at the pictures of the photographers Pete mentioned, the woman's faces are always the center of attention. Once you see the face you are drawn over the rest of the image. With this one you are not really drawn to anything. Maybe the couch...

Oh, if I tried to take pictures like this my wife would gut me like a fish.

Derweissehai

Thanks for the C&C...all taken with a grain of salt....hey you never learn unless you post or ask. So no offense taken. As for never should have seen the light of day comment....that is abit harsh...but I can handle it. Just cause your in a bad mood.....shouldn't be a reason to blast it..offer words of how to improve instead. Remember you were once in the same place and sought out guidance. But this is IMHO. Happy new year and Ked I do hope 2009 is a better year for you.

Also I have seen both model with no clothes on...niether one is over weight....but over weight varies from person to person. If over weight is anyone over 110 pounds, then yes she is...but she is a healthy girl and very attractive in person.

Happy New Year All.

zoomer

Sorry, definitely not hot.
Looks pretty generic, no emotion, models don't look into it.

KED

evoryware wrote:

why criticize the models weight? How about the photography?
I agree with Dogwood regarding everything he said. The shadow on the standing models leg is distracting. The couch is unnecessary.

I didn't criticize the models' weight -- I don't know the women, and don't care how they look in real life. But the photography is meant to be edgy and surely is intended as R-rated erotica, so to me the physique of the models is every bit as relevant as the couch to whether the intended purposes have been achieved. YMMV.

KED

Derweissehai wrote:

Thanks for the C&C...all taken with a grain of salt....hey you never learn unless you post or ask. So no offense taken. As for never should have seen the light of day comment....that is abit harsh...but I can handle it. Just cause your in a bad mood.....shouldn't be a reason to blast it..offer words of how to improve instead. Remember you were once in the same place and sought out guidance. But this is IMHO. Happy new year and Ked I do hope 2009 is a better year for you.

Also I have seen both model with no clothes on...niether one is over weight....but over weight varies from person to person. If over weight is anyone over 110 pounds, then yes she is...but she is a healthy girl and very attractive in person.

Happy New Year All.

Sorry dude, I didn't mean anything personal. Styles and tastes differ, to each his own, and since I can't shoot indoors or deal with non-natural lighting to save my life, I have much genuine respect for your abilities in that regard. Happy new year to you as well.

Moogle Pepper

I concur that the models need to evoke more emotion. Sadists fine lots of pleasure in causing pain, and Masochists love receiving, thereby the masochist acts like she is scared and in pain. So they should look the part.

It needs the posing that also evokes tension.


Still, I think it is a cool photo. They do have the eye contact line.

codiac2600

Hmmmm my experience only comes from fashion photography which in my portfolio and paid work does not include fetish, but I am friends with quite a few photographers who shoot this field.

The couch is a definite item that needs to go in this shot IMO as it draw attention away in the B&W conversion as it's tones are equal to that of the models.

The perspective in which you shot this takes some getting used to as it seems you were standing there pointing your camera right at them... for more interest and emotion try a wider angle and getting low with the model on her knees looking up at the model with the rope. Angles that bring it into more of a "point of view" aspect makes thing seem more dramatic. I see lots of fetish/bondage photography done on white and it definitely works but there is always a level of artistry beyond the posing. Play with the angles and experiment more with lighting and splashes of uniqueness.

I do commend you for taking on this field as it is very difficult to produce great work as much of what I have seen looks more like smut and less of an art form. Keep digging a little deeper into the subject matter and experiment and I believe you'll pull yourself to a new echelon.