Pregnancy (Warning - Nudity)

[GB1]

I did my first pregnancy shoot two days ago. The model is a model, eight months along now.... (and would you believe this is going to be her sixth child? Genetics).

I didn't do a lot of editing, mostly just removing a scrape on an ankle, as I wanted her looking somewhat regular on this one. Photo one is pretty dark and mysterious, while the second is more bright and contrasty.....

C&Cs more than welcome,

GB

[Anbesol]

The first pose looks too sexual, and the legs and her right hand look quite suggestive, I guess this was your point? I dont understand why, it looks pornographic. The second one is much better. I don't like the way she tilts her face, she is looking at the viewer down her nose.

I really like the lighting in both and especially the first. But a pregnant spread eagle in an image just really strikes a wrong chord for me.

[PhilF]

definitely not your ordinary maternity shoot.
#1 underexposed
#2 position of light is too low for me and too far from the left... making really deep shadows that doesn't really showcase her belly

[Asmarlak]

I agree with Phil about the first one, it could use a little more light, it is a matter of taste, I don't mind dark images. But I like the lighting in the second one because it defines her belly more which is the main subject of the shoot, and casts shadow on some areas that she might not wish to expose.

[wilsan]

The first pose looks too sexual, and the legs and her right hand look quite suggestive, I guess this was your point? I dont understand why, it looks pornographic. The second one is much better. I don't like the way she tilts her face, but I can't really call that a critique.

I really like the lighting in both and especially the first. But a pregnant spread eagle in an image just really strikes a wrong chord for me.

GB before any criticism thanks for share with us your job :thumbsup::thumbsup:
I have to said that I'm agree with Anbesol. The photo imply a lot of direct eroticism , drama and attitude. Not only from the model but also from the illumination stand point, if that is what you were looking to obtain from the picture I have to said good Job!!!

On the technical aspect I feel the first photo is under expose like between 1/2 or a full stop I do not think that is the lighting ratio if is not the camera setting itself. Try to bump up the RAW file and see what happen.

The second photo is over exposed, loosing skin details on part of her face and belly. Also the illumination is creating some harsh shadows on the opposite side of her face, causing the eye to get lost on the shadows creating a very dramatic effect. Beside that the back light from her shoulder is spilling over front side creating a harsh shadow over her chest and belly.

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[GB1]

Thanks for commenting. This is interesting.

Charlie (Anbesol) and I exchanged some PMs to discuss the images and their impact and how they're perceived. I have to honestly say that I disagree that there's a problem; I really see nothing at all erotic or pornographic about the first shot. I've since shown it to about six or seven people (today), and only one - the other photographer shooting with me that evening - had any issues. He had posted a similar shot on the group web page and said that some of his other versions may have offended some people, so he didn't post them.

I wonder if this is S. California vs. some more conservative areas of the country difference of appropriateness? Anyway, I'm not giving up my artistic license here .. life's too short, and I would definitely encourage anyone else to do the same.

Charlie, thanks for bringing that impression to my attention on the first one. Perception is reality as they say, even though I don't see it that way. This brings up a couple discussion topics.

The pose was my idea. I was trying to create a situation where the viewer sees a very pregnant woman and the position that she would soon be in to deliver the baby. I directed her to place her hand under her belly, but she didn't grab it with enough conviction to really show in the photo. Even more importantly from my viewpoint, the image angle doesn't portray a pregnant model as well as I wanted (as Asmarlak also noted), which is slightly disappointing.

I certain you didn't mean it as such, but your comment does sound a bit like censorship. Also, "too" sexual or sensual is subjective. I it sensual? You bet! The model is hot even at eight months pregnant, and instead of fighting that, she and the photographers accepted and ran w/ it. If anything it shows a model can be sexy and pregnant at the same time Maybe it will be the next fad? (you never know)

The second is more classical to me. I personally like that head tilt, looks sexy. The looking down angle can be snooty, depending, but I think her eyes show that she's more inquisitive or contemplative than anything.

Phil, you don't think that the shadows show her belly in the second? You may have a dimmer monitor than I, as I'm seeing a lot of volume. I agree on the first's lighting - for whatever reason it didn't seem underexposed when working on it, but here it does. I've adjusted and reposted. I will fish around for another light angle on #2 to see the difference.

Asmarlak, good points. See the adjustment for #1. I like dark images too - there's mystery there.

Wilsan, I bumped up the exposure a little on #1. Note that I shoot where it records both RAW and JPG at the same time. I started editing from the RAW and, checking here, for whatever reason the JPG looks properly exposed by the RAW when opened for editing defaulted to a darker density! Not sure why. This explains why it is so dark, and I didn't catch in editing.

Not sure that the second is over-exposed so much as contrasty. We only used a single light source on the first side of her on this one, creating a moody light pattern. Why it is especially contrasty is that I had the light too close to her - I moved it back a bit on later shots and it seemed to work out better. We also filled in a little on the right. Yep, very hard shadows and very dramatic. Not very many pregnant models look like this, that's for sure.

I edited #2 a bit for lower contrast. Check out the adjustments. Both could probably go a little farther, but ..........

[Anbesol]

Well, I really don't have any problem with pornographic images. I just don't think it works with maternity shoots. I do have some (mildly) conservative values when it comes to how we treat children. When I see a woman like her, who is obviously quite pregnant, it feels like I'm looking at her AND at her unborn child. The second image I think is quite good and doesn't bother me in that way.

There is a site I check periodically for comedic value (which is censored on this forum anyway), among numerous other purposes, one purpose it serves is as a porn blooper reel. Sometimes they have some really funny stuff that has me on the floor laughing. Point being is that I have absolutely no hangups about the observation of or exposure of nudity in any way shape or form, especially on video or still picture area. The deal here is the presence of a child. So, let me ask this, what if she was holding up an infant, could she still be sexy, seductive, even visibly suggestive? Or does it cross the line once the baby is no longer under the concealment of her womb? What is really so different? I ask this seriously, perhaps I am being neurotic about it, but those are just my feelings and perceptions on it. I'd be interested to hear other alternative thoughts on the matter.

[Greg McCary]

I agree with Anbesol on this one. If it was your intent for the shot to be more about the model then you done a nice job. But if it was about the baby or both then I think a different pose/s would have worked better.
Look at it this way, a pregnancy shot should be more about the creation of life. I have nothing against creative nudes either, porn maybe so.
As far as the technical aspects I think the lighting and image qualty is very good. It is really just a matter of taste and the models reaction means more than anything else. If she is happy then enough said, I guess.

[GB1]

Well, I really don't have any problem with pornographic images. I just don't think it works with maternity shoots. I do have some (mildly) conservative values when it comes to how we treat children. When I see a woman like her, who is obviously quite pregnant, it feels like I'm looking at her AND at her unborn child. The second image I think is quite good and doesn't bother me in that way.

There is a site I check periodically for comedic value (which is censored on this forum anyway), among numerous other purposes, one purpose it serves is as a porn blooper reel. Sometimes they have some really funny stuff that has me on the floor laughing. Point being is that I have absolutely no hangups about the observation of or exposure of nudity in any way shape or form, especially on video or still picture area. The deal here is the presence of a child. So, let me ask this, what if she was holding up an infant, could she still be sexy, seductive, even visibly suggestive? Or does it cross the line once the baby is no longer under the concealment of her womb? What is really so different? I ask this seriously, perhaps I am being neurotic about it, but those are just my feelings and perceptions on it. I'd be interested to hear other alternative thoughts on the matter.

Don't know, as I haven't ran into that situation, nor do I have a particularly strong interest (at this point) in shooting a mother and child. That's a pretty popular photo subject and there is already tons of photographers who make their living off of doing pix like that, so I would prefer to leave that to them. But I think that if I did do such shoots I could produce some decent images. It's more a matter of what floats your boat, and with people I lean towards glamour and artsy stuff.

Your critique does sound a little judgmental, Charlie. Such subjects are controversial however, so I guess one can expect a little of that. Anyway, I hope you don't take it personal that I wouldn't change a thing about the shoot, and that I'd rather risk offending a few people than bore them (and myself).

[GB1]

I agree with Anbesol on this one. If it was your intent for the shot to be more about the model then you done a nice job. But if it was about the baby or both then I think a different pose/s would have worked better.
Look at it this way, a pregnancy shot should be more about the creation of life. I have nothing against creative nudes either, porn maybe so.
As far as the technical aspects I think the lighting and image qualty is very good. It is really just a matter of taste and the models reaction means more than anything else. If she is happy then enough said, I guess.

Thanks for your feedback, Greg. It was about the model being pregnant.

To me, the discussion about porn is irrelevant because I don't even remotely see this as pornographic (nor has anyone else I shown it to here, for that matter).

Glad you like the lighting. Black backgrounds and dramatic lighting seems to work especially well with blondes. I haven't shown the images to the model yet.

GB

[PhilF]

I shot a pregnant model once and always tell her to stop whenever she does her "MODEL LOOKS".. I would stop the shoot and reminded her that this is a maternity shoot and not glamour. I guess it's their model instinct that takes over when they are in front of the camera.

[GB1]

I shot a pregnant model once and always tell her to stop whenever she does her "MODEL LOOKS".. I would stop the shoot and reminded her that this is a maternity shoot and not glamour. I guess it's their model instinct that takes over when they are in front of the camera.

Phil - Funny.. I can see that happening .

But it also begs the slightly sarcastic question, What is the 'correct' way for a model to pose for a maternity shoot.........? And based on others' comments, what is the 'correct' way for a photographer to shoot a pregnant model? ...should one check the photography rules book before proceeding?

Sorry, just asking

[PhilF]

Phil - Funny.. I can see that happening .

But it also begs the slightly sarcastic question, What is the 'correct' way for a model to pose for a maternity shoot.........? And based on others' comments, what is the 'correct' way for a photographer to shoot a pregnant model? ...should one check the photography rules book before proceeding?

Sorry, just asking

I guess you should just expose yourself to pictures of maternity and get acquainted with it.

Base on my experience...any photo gig that comes my way....whether I get hired to shoot for a steamy lingerie shoot or a commercial fashion catalog. I always do my homework and submerge myself to exceptional works of other professional photographers.