Be honest- Do you love your own photography?

The Ghost said

JPea said

Huw

I go with Huw here.

I don't analyse the motivation for nude or anything else.

It is just what springs to mind at that moment in the shoot.

Following on from the comment on strange places to shoot lingerie, I must say that I often see images posted on PP that are very strange in their choice of location and dress.

It wasn't so much the strange location, more an example of "why did that shot have to be nude?" - well because the alternative is inherently far more sexualised.

The same thing would apply to a milk bath shot, nobody washes wearing their underwear so the implication is very different from nude.

There's also a wider discussion about the semiotics of post-fertility peak models that Huw briefly touched on a few pages ago.

I mean it's actually a classic question. Lingerie in nature, swimwear in nature, ballet-wear in nature. Very similar clothing, structurally. Potentially very different interpretations even of very similar poses. What makes them work or not work, what interpretations are being encouraged, what interpretations are being given prominence the photographer might not intend.

The "why" questions are ones photographers should be comfortable asking themselves for honest answers, even if the answers have no great meaning for them. Why would you *not* consider and analyse your own work?

Unfocussed Mike said

The Ghost said

JPea said

Huw

I mean it's actually a classic question. Lingerie in nature, swimwear in nature, ballet-wear in nature. Very similar clothing, structurally. Potentially very different interpretations even of very similar poses. What makes them work or not work, what interpretations are being encouraged, what interpretations are being given prominence the photographer might not intend.

The "why" questions are ones photographers should be comfortable asking themselves for honest answers, even if the answers have no great meaning for them. Why would you *not* consider and analyse your own work?

There is something to be said for just going with what feels right in the moment and trusting one's instincts. How you develop those instincts is another matter.

The Ghost

Quote:

"There is something to be said for just going with what feels right in the moment and trusting one's instincts. How you develop those instincts is another matter."

This is so true. The getting there is the real journey

Analysis.... slippery slope that is.

My aim is to simplify and practice the technical side so that no thinking is needed.

Then photograph without thought, just react instinctively. Very Zen.

If I give any direction to the model it will be: "Hug the tree. Be the tree".

Most models get it fairly soon....

Unfocussed Mike

Quote:" The "why" questions are ones photographers should be comfortable asking themselves for honest answers, even if the answers have no great meaning for them. Why would you *not* consider and analyse your own work?"

I do agree. Even if we shoot for fun, there can still be room for analysis and hopefully some progress.

However,too much prodding can leave you with a headache 😀

I always tend to go through phases of re-editing my photos over and over. Self doubt, and being particular with what I like or gaining new inspiration from other photos I see sometimes stops me from posting! I don't do it professionally, just amateur on the side.

I do enjoy my own work, but I feel some of it lack natural creativity on my part and not being consistent (my own fault!) does have me going on an endless cycle of re-editing the photos I am unhappy with!

I love the work I have created and enjoy reminiscing about how it was created, who with and where. Obviously, I have doubts about the worth of it and my skills, but I also remember that I have been self-taught and to be able to create what I have is an art form. Being creative is good for the mind, I have an unfounded fear of dying from a mental illness and losing control of my thinking so I do anything to spark my imagination and brain-power in a lame effort to avoid this. 

@PhotoPhilljk " Being creative is good for the mind,"

The only way to live

Marissa _PH1 absolutely!