Tommy Dee wrote:

Hi Rikki, it is great to see you participating here.

The 'too artsy' is simply my personal prejudice. I am generally not enamoured of art photography in much the same way as most here are not enamoured with glamour photography. I wasn't saying that it was overly artsy but simply that I was looking for things that are more to my tastes.

Want to jokingly say 'bring on the hate mail' but these personal prejudices are exactly what I am looking for in this thread - why we shoot what we shoot and why we like what we like.

As I type this other thoughts occur to me that might be good for discussion here:
I have to wonder if this has the potential to turn into a 'clique'? Well I know that there is that potential. That would dimish the usefulness I think and I'd like to ask y'all to consider some things.

There have been entries that some of us old farts found offensive. Some, while the content is (in my opinion) marginal have been quite well done. I think that most likely my old fart compatriots have taken the 'ignore them and they will go away' approach. Those of you who have been here a while know that I am one who (too) vocally disliked some of those entries.

The other day in an e-mail exchange with an intelligent and erudite young model, she said something like 'I love porn!'. My response had to be 'So do I ... but to me porn is the September 1967 Playboy Centerfold photo'.

And I think that you get the drift - generationally we have a pretty large gap in what is appealing or even acceptable.

i'm not 100% sure where you are going with this. I have a lower tolerance for what I perceive as deameaning images. And making them black and whie doesn't change anything. I  also don't find appealing the use of unflattering or dissonant color, wild composition etc. I am at as much of a pride as some would think. But i have lines that I draw. I admit freely that I don't  "get" many of the images entered.
The best I can do is try to be open. I am however not going to vote for am image just because someone is referrred to as a great photographer. I would take a some Helmot Newton or Sally Mann or La Chapelle  photographs if you gave to me for free.
But that's not how I see this thread.

That said, I agree with the nostrils point and the other case with the hair. On the other hand messing hair can work . I find excessive clutter and distracing backgrounds usually a minus which is why i didn't vote for the shot with the woman on the couch.

Nuff said!

I am not fond of visual clutter

jandj studios wrote:
i'm not 100% sure where you are going with this. I have a lower tolerance for what I perceive as deameaning images. And making them black and whie doesn't change anything.

There was no hidden agenda and I think that you know that I have a pretty low tolerance for demeaning images as well. The question becomes 'what is demeaning?'.

What I was trying to say was that I think there is a huge generational void between us (you, Dave and I for instance) and 'them' (the younger crowd here). In 1967 (and I'm not sure I had the correct month), the beautiful college coed posing for Playboy in argyll knee socks and kilt bare breasted was seen by many as demeaning. Guess I just don't want our 'old fartness' to become the banner for this thread.

jandj studios wrote:
I  also don't find appealing the use of unflattering or dissonant color, wild composition etc. I am at as much of a pride as some would think. But i have lines that I draw. I admit freely that I don't  "get" many of the images entered.

I don't know from color. Except that after a lifetime of B&W, when I began shooting in color in the early 1990's it was a surprisingly difficult transition. Now I am loathe to give up what I learned during that time. Sometimes I even think that the use of B&W is the easy way out.

jandj studios wrote:
The best I can do is try to be open. I am however not going to vote for am image just because someone is referrred to as a great photographer. I would take a some Helmot Newton or Sally Mann or La Chapelle  photographs if you gave to me for free.
But that's not how I see this thread.

And (in general terms) I love Newton - his immediacy and, well punch. But agreed about the 'bowing before the great one' mentality. Sadly on a smaller scale that is a trend here (Internet photography 'communities') as well.

jandj studios wrote:
That said, I agree with the nostrils point and the other case with the hair. On the other hand messing hair can work . I find excessive clutter and distracing backgrounds usually a minus which is why i didn't vote for the shot with the woman on the couch.

Nuff said!

I am not fond of visual clutter

Those of us with a nostril fetish take umbrage at those comments! (J/K) Yeah, clutter sucks.

Shadowscape Studio wrote:
On another note, I make a bit of money catering to commissioned work where couples and singles come to me for images.  I shoot whatever they want.  Which is why I have two portfolios on this site.  I do not want my gallery work to have that kind of reputation.  But if you are going to pay my electric bill for the month of January, I'll take whatever you want me to take photos of, under a different name of course.

I, too, used to do couples and erotic solo shots for individuals. And I was sometimes made to blush. But they paid enough bills that I could retire and just shoot want I want.
besides i think we all understand that isn't what we are speaking of.
And I don't hink it is strickly and old fart thing. None of the MM models i've worked with find gynecoloic shot especially appealing.

done.

Looks like some good entries be interesting to see what wins and why.
Damn gotta go someones ring the bell.

Jason A Hopkins wrote:
Just placed my vote for this gem right here:

https://modelmayhem.com/pic.php?pic_id= … id=5203185 18+

This one stuck outto me from some very good entires from its simplicity and honesty.  I love the straight forward classic composition.  Lovely picture all around.  You did VERY well capturing Londons beauty in a very straight forward and beautiful way.  Kudos to both of you!  The only suggestion is perhaps her head kicked off to the side looks a lil forced...still its cute and I like it.

there is much I like aboout this shot. Most especially the model but for me outdoor shots have to really convince me, why is this woman nude outdoors? There does seem to be a melding of the grace of the outdoors and the grace of her figure. Also, it seems to waver between glamour - in which case IMHO it is too dark or a more artistic type in which case I totally agree with the comment about the head kicked off to the side.

Jason A Hopkins wrote:
This one from ShadowScape

https://modelmayhem.com/pic.php?pic_id= … id=5200154 18+

This and Tizzy's were a struggle to vote against.  In this one, simply, the crop/framing of the image is why I shyed away from the vote.  IMHO had you captured/presented the full body not only would I have voted it...I would have been hitting you up to buy a print. 

Very well done out there.  This was a tuff round.

as my grandfather would say this is way they have horse races. But that I mean of all of ShadowScape's shots I have seen so far this is my least favorite.
For me it doesn't flow, it doesn't have a feel of abstract art or just a pretty nude. I find it visually confusing and if nor cluttered literally - clutterd by of the lines and shades of the water.
At first glance I couldn't "find" the nude let alone her butt crack.
You know how I feel about your work so take this in the spirit it was intended.
DJ

SLE Photography wrote:
Ok.  Four hours to vote count.  I am going to try & drag myself out of the forums.
I have approximately 400 images (no, that's no joke) to edit.
I am going to TRY to get 2 done by 11 PM EST.
One of them fits the contest.
If I get it done I'll see what you vicious vultures have to say!

I know I must suck 'cause I never win or get votes 

i'm sure your mother loves you.
keep your chin
another day another dollar
it's not how many times you get no votes it's how many times you get back on the horse.
Did I miss any?

jandj studios wrote:

i'm sure your mother loves you.
keep your chin
another day another dollar
it's not how many times you get no votes it's how many times you get back on the horse.
Did I miss any?

Oh, my mom loves me.  She beats me up about the quality of my work all the time tho.
(Mom's a college art professor & published author LOL)

Tommy Dee wrote:
OK my top three or maybe four:

Nancy
http://modelmayhem.com/pic.php?pid=5184835

I like this, facial expression 8+ to 9, quite nice.

Post production a bit heavy handed but that seems to be the norm here so I'll let it slide. The deal breaker was the left breast. Atypically, I probably would have cropped just above the nip. Then it wouldn't be an 18+ POTD contestant. Catch 22's everywhere, eh?

Thanks, Tommy.  I have shot this model a lot and find her expressions quite beautiful.

Amedeus wrote:
I voted for http://theintimatelook.com/gallery2/d/1 … 8013bw.jpg because of the use of space and the impression the model is feeling the security of a boundary.

Rudi A.

I loved this image except that the edges were very pixellated as if sharpened somehow and that was a turn-off as far as winning the ultimate vote.  Maybe it is just my old eyes or my monitor?

Nancy Wishard wrote:
I loved this image except that the edges were very pixellated as if sharpened somehow and that was a turn-off as far as winning the ultimate vote.  Maybe it is just my old eyes or my monitor?

Nope not your eyes or your monitor...don't know why but when it initially opens its not full size...if you click on the image, it expands ever so slightly and removes the pixelation you speak of....guess its a hair to large for the MM default size...

Bobby G wrote:

Nope not your eyes or your monitor...don't know why but when it initially opens its not full size...if you click on the image, it expands ever so slightly and removes the pixelation you speak of....guess its a hair to large for the MM default size...

Wow I wish that I had clicked on the image then....you would've gotten my vote.

jandj studios wrote:
This one from ShadowScape

https://modelmayhem.com/pic.php?pic_id= … id=5200154 18+


as my grandfather would say this is way they have horse races. But that I mean of all of ShadowScape's shots I have seen so far this is my least favorite.
For me it doesn't flow, it doesn't have a feel of abstract art or just a pretty nude. I find it visually confusing and if nor cluttered literally - clutterd by of the lines and shades of the water.
At first glance I couldn't "find" the nude let alone her butt crack.
You know how I feel about your work so take this in the spirit it was intended.
DJ

DJ,
  Taken in the spirit.  I am not real fond of it myself, but I wanted to push the butt crack issue and it seemed like a good one for that.  You will get to know that I will put up images just for fun sometimes.  What can I say...I'm a pot stirrer.
What you will never see from me here is my best work.

Shadowscape Studio wrote:
That would be preferable.

Oops sorry...guess I missed that.  Note made.

Jason A Hopkins wrote:
Oops sorry...guess I missed that.  Note made.

Not a problem.  We didn't make it a rule, just a recommendation.

Let's hear from some other people tonight on their selections.

Shadowscape Studio wrote:
Glad that you are going to put a link to this thread on the 18+, James. 
I was a bit worried in the beginning that this thread was going to turn into another Off Topic thing, but it seems to be progressing in the other direction towards a useful tool
Now, if we can keep people from sticking that silly smile face at the end of every sentence.
Tom was kind enough to somehow do a quick alpha sort on the list for me.  Much appreciated.
I need to get my butt in gear and finish up some work for two shows I have coming up, so I will be more or less just a viewer for the next couple days.  That is unless I really need to spew out some thoughts, which more than likely will happen.
It was good to see more people get involved last night.

***If your name is not on the list and you would like it to be, just say so.
If you had entered an image in the contest and want some feedback on why it did or did not receive votes that you thought it should have, just ask.  But remember, this is not a "Critique Me Please" thread.  It is a discussion thread of the 18+ POD contest.

Add My Name

Magicc wrote:
Add My Name

You are on, thanks.

LalaineNudes wrote:
I need to start paying people to vote for me

LOL - I don't have that luxury

Clark Morgan Photo wrote:
You can add me to the list of critiquables for purposes of this thread. I haven't been in here as regularly as I Id like to be; but I aim to change that.

Thanks Clark.

Shadowscape Studio wrote:
Dennis' image
https://modelmayhem.com/pic.php?pic_id= … id=5206256
was in the running for awhile but the crop on the top and bottom just did not seem to work for me.  I would have liked to see all of her head in this one, and the heal resting on the bottom crop seemed cramped.  Love the space used though.

Agreed. The cropping is what took it out for me.

LalaineNudes wrote:
Agreed. The cropping is what took it out for me.

So give us your thoughts on David Gold's image that you voted for.
https://www.modelmayhem.com/pic.php?pic … id=5199300
What did it have that you liked? 
Just wanting to see what floats your boat.
I had an issue with the angle of the lighting.  The shadow from her nose across the right cheek bone and through her right eye is what took it off my list.

Shadowscape Studio wrote:

So give us your thoughts on David Gold's image that you voted for.
https://www.modelmayhem.com/pic.php?pic … id=5199300
What did it have that you liked? 
Just wanting to see what floats your boat.

I'm normally a sucker for B&W, but this one just struck me.
1. Gorgeous model
2. Loved the eye contact
3. Gold was applied flawlessly
4. Everything just worked

My reasoning for voting for shots normally is whatever makes me go, "Ooooooo" more than the others

LalaineNudes wrote:
My reasoning for voting for shots normally is whatever makes me go, "Ooooooo" more than the others

That is good enough reason around here.
I added to my comment above as to why I didn't vote for it.