Ageism
Candy is a staunch supporter of modeling whilst also being a feminist. Her excellent blog resolutely defends the principle that posing nude does not compromise the core principles of feminism.
I don't necessarily agree with everything she writes, but I certainly respect her point of view, and I understand completely why commentators on her blog sometimes make her so angry.
When people comment on your work, it is a very personal thing. It's true that you judge yourself by how others judge you. Note, I don't always post all of the comments that I get, and many are off-blog anyway.
Now because I'm an older model, and I don't shoot very much, I don't get many comments about my pictures. Nevertheless, I've had some nice comments over the last year or so, one of the nicest being from a (female) friend and fellow blogger yesterday:
"You are not a geriatric model. You are a beautiful, sexy goddess who happens to have children and a good job. The three are not mutually exclusive! Keep up the great, inspirational work!"
Aw. That's lovely. Thanks!
If only others could be so nice. I have received some true humdingers of comments about my work over the last year, all from other photographers:
"wow.....different.. "
"your version of coping with a mid life crisis....something you always wished you had done when you were younger, but for various reasons never got around to it"
"this model looks like she is dead"
"seriously deluded"
"the model looks like she is old but trying to hide it"
"....desperately trying to run the last lap now the bell has rung"
(I really like this. To be fair, it was superficially about other older models and only alluding to me, but I included it as I think it's very eloquent)
And my personal favorite:
"a raddled old slapper with desperation in her eyes. Now as grotesque as she is tragic"
Well, on the bright side, at least I haven't had any death threats yet !
Seriously though, ageism is rife in nude photography.
Not that all mature models get comments about them like these. I seriously doubt whether the stunning Iris has ever received any negative comments about her work. But this is not surprising as she works extremely hard to keep her amazing body, and she looks 20 years younger than she actually is. She has a fantastic physique that I'd love (but am way too lazy to train for).
Nude photographers mostly prefer to shoot young and beautiful models. Not all of them, but most. It is much easier to photograph beautiful, young, firm flesh; plus society in general is conditioned to find young, pretty (fertile) women more sexually attractive. And let's face it folks, young tits 'n' ass are a heck of a lot more pleasing on the eye than some haggard old mother-of-three who has been breastfeeding forever, had extensive head surgery and at least a further 12 operations (after which I stopped counting).
But there are a small core of models who keep going despite negative feedback. Some models who are disabled, disfigured, over-weight or old, who keep on shooting regardless because they believe they are creating Art. Because they do not subscribe to society's programming that only the young, firm, skinny and pert are beautiful. Because they believe in their own beauty, rather than what the general population thinks.
Although Rich mostly photographs young models, this is largely because they are easier to find and book. I know he'd love to photograph anyone, regardless of size, appearance or age. (And if he has an opinion other than this, well he certainly wouldn’t dare tell me!)
An interesting conclusion to this is to consider statistics.
Like most other blogs, we have a stat counter on our blog.
Several of my images are in the top 10 most viewed, and two in the top 5.
If people think I should quit modeling because I'm too old, then why on earth are my images amongst the most popular ? Morbid curiosity ?
If you are reading this, and are thinking "Oh God, why doesn't she just give up and retire gracefully", then I have one thing to say to you:
If you don't want to see me naked, why the hell do you keep coming back ?
I don't necessarily agree with everything she writes, but I certainly respect her point of view, and I understand completely why commentators on her blog sometimes make her so angry.
When people comment on your work, it is a very personal thing. It's true that you judge yourself by how others judge you. Note, I don't always post all of the comments that I get, and many are off-blog anyway.
Now because I'm an older model, and I don't shoot very much, I don't get many comments about my pictures. Nevertheless, I've had some nice comments over the last year or so, one of the nicest being from a (female) friend and fellow blogger yesterday:
"You are not a geriatric model. You are a beautiful, sexy goddess who happens to have children and a good job. The three are not mutually exclusive! Keep up the great, inspirational work!"
Aw. That's lovely. Thanks!
If only others could be so nice. I have received some true humdingers of comments about my work over the last year, all from other photographers:
"wow.....different.. "
"your version of coping with a mid life crisis....something you always wished you had done when you were younger, but for various reasons never got around to it"
"this model looks like she is dead"
"seriously deluded"
"the model looks like she is old but trying to hide it"
"....desperately trying to run the last lap now the bell has rung"
(I really like this. To be fair, it was superficially about other older models and only alluding to me, but I included it as I think it's very eloquent)
And my personal favorite:
"a raddled old slapper with desperation in her eyes. Now as grotesque as she is tragic"
Well, on the bright side, at least I haven't had any death threats yet !
Seriously though, ageism is rife in nude photography.
Not that all mature models get comments about them like these. I seriously doubt whether the stunning Iris has ever received any negative comments about her work. But this is not surprising as she works extremely hard to keep her amazing body, and she looks 20 years younger than she actually is. She has a fantastic physique that I'd love (but am way too lazy to train for).
Nude photographers mostly prefer to shoot young and beautiful models. Not all of them, but most. It is much easier to photograph beautiful, young, firm flesh; plus society in general is conditioned to find young, pretty (fertile) women more sexually attractive. And let's face it folks, young tits 'n' ass are a heck of a lot more pleasing on the eye than some haggard old mother-of-three who has been breastfeeding forever, had extensive head surgery and at least a further 12 operations (after which I stopped counting).
But there are a small core of models who keep going despite negative feedback. Some models who are disabled, disfigured, over-weight or old, who keep on shooting regardless because they believe they are creating Art. Because they do not subscribe to society's programming that only the young, firm, skinny and pert are beautiful. Because they believe in their own beauty, rather than what the general population thinks.
Although Rich mostly photographs young models, this is largely because they are easier to find and book. I know he'd love to photograph anyone, regardless of size, appearance or age. (And if he has an opinion other than this, well he certainly wouldn’t dare tell me!)
An interesting conclusion to this is to consider statistics.
Like most other blogs, we have a stat counter on our blog.
Several of my images are in the top 10 most viewed, and two in the top 5.
If people think I should quit modeling because I'm too old, then why on earth are my images amongst the most popular ? Morbid curiosity ?
If you are reading this, and are thinking "Oh God, why doesn't she just give up and retire gracefully", then I have one thing to say to you:
If you don't want to see me naked, why the hell do you keep coming back ?
posted by Lin at 11:22 AM
6 Comments:
"Your puss is like a fuking jungle..Put some clothes on before my eyes bleed more than they already are.. People like you turn guys gay."
We all get the comments- I never approved this one on my blog, of course. But you're 100% right about ageism. Please don't stop modeling.
Well, I know I keep coming back to read the insightful commentary, to find inspiration, and to procrastinate (the nekkid pictures are just a bonus).
Not that you ever listen to what I say, but...
As long as you're comparing yourself to Iris, let it stand for the record that I had the opportunity to photograph her and pretty much let it slip by. That would not be the case If I ever had the chance to photograph you.
So there.
Interesting comment from mnmjr above. That's not what I recalled happened as it was my decision not to shoot because with him because I was dealing with some other concerns in my life at the time.
As far as aging is concerned. I truly believe we all have beauty. I often felt inadequate because of my age, but over the past 6 months I have come to the realization that there's no point comparing yourself to the PYT's. I do what I do because I enjoy doing it and I try to do it to the best of my ability. I think you are very similar to me in many ways. A solid professional career and family, but also a passion for art. I think age comes with many benefits. Wisdom, knowing what you want and where you want to go. Please don't let the negative comments get you down. Some people just feel good about themselves if they can bring others down. It's sad. Beauty is all a matter of perception anyhow. As long as you feel good about what you do, it's pretty much all that matters and I think you are a wonderful, smart woman who belongs in front of the camera!
Even though I dumped my Blog..I still read a few of my favorite blogs...yes..I am still lurking. So I thought I would comment on the age thing as I feel very strong on this subject. I have shot Iris several times..and she is a very close friend and one of my favorite and preferred models. I personally prefer models that are more mature, and I am even noted in the Taschen Book "The New Erotic Photography" as having photographed the same model for over 25 years. By the way, this model is a Grandmother as well. Thus noted and based on my accomplishments and the number of those that own my Erotic Photographic Art, it should be obvious that I have a pretty good idea about what is visually pleasing and what works photographically, and you definitely are 100% model material and are a model who I would love to photograph!!! Obviously, distance being a bit of a hindrance....but saying so... PLEASE do not let AGE get in the way of your modeling. Again, You look fantastic and I would be honored to have you on the lens side of my camera. That's my $.02. But I believe $.02 carries quite a bit of weight. Also remember that we can not please 100% of the people....but why care what the Malcontents think? You keep rocking as you have been..and let me know when you make a wrong turn at the Thames ..and end up in the Detroit Michigan area. Sushi is on us...then we can create some killer original Photographic Art ala' BT Charles style.
cheers
bt
www.btcharles.com
Iris, Thanks for your comments as always. You inspire me, on and off-camera! It's that simple!
BT, I would LOVE to shoot with you. You know I think your work is fantastic. In fact, I'd love to shoot with pretty much everyone who posts here, but they are all in the US!!!
Still, who knows, one day that wish may come true!
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