Sexy!
posted on 13th of april, 2007
|
|
|
| Youth and sex have forever been used to promote and sell products and services. And sexy pixs are especially important to the calendar sector that isn't dominated by kittens (the more feline type) and gardens. I'm not an expert on what is sexy; that is gender specific and tied to sexual orientation, age, culture and personality. But I can give you some tips on how to make pictures that will have sex appeal AND still useful for some mainstream buyers. |
|
|
| This article is illustrated exclusively with images that can be downloaded with the Dreamstime content filter on. To be certain that the filter does not block your images, don't submit photos that are overly sexual in nature. Nudes will escape censoring by the filter if the more personal parts are in shadow or covered by the angle of the shot or position. |
|
|
| Both of the images above will satisfy image needs for some health care uses, concepts of beauty and femininity and won't be blocked by the content filter. Which is why they probably aren't considered as "sexy" as the ones below where the model is not nude at all but still gets past the filter. |
|
|
| Dreamstime doesn't accept anything that is pornographic. |
| Pay attention to details. When casting for models to pose as sex symbols, don't look only at the body and face. Check out the model's hands and feet. Nice manicure and pedicure? If not, back to the salon. Hands that look like claws? Hide them. If she's not barefoot, are her shoes fashionable and not worn? |
|
|
| A mistake I've seen a few times: model has been running around the shooting area for several hours and no one has noticed that the soles of her/his feet are now very dirty. Save yourself some difficult tricks in post and keep your eye on the soles. |
|
|
| Hair in both male and female models needs to be clean and not stringy. No skin blemishes that can't be easily removed in post production. We have been hearing from clients for many years that they want models that look "real". It may seem obvious to ask that models with dirty hair, bad skin and not so nice looking faces be avoided but they are just too real. |
| Demand for images of nude and sensual men is much more limited than it is for woman. Major uses: men's health issues, personal trainer web sites and workout equipment. Sexy photos of men fall into two categories: the muscle men and the rest. |
|
|
| I'm more into brain than brawn but below are my picks for sexy he-man shots. (Can't help humming the Randy Newman song: You Can Keep Your Hat on, Baby) |
|
|
| No one forgets makeup for women but it gets overlooked when it comes to shooting hero shots of men. You can end up with terrific bodies topped by faces as greasy as an omelet pan. |
|
|
| Seduction is a state of mind and portraits can be just as erotic as full body shots. And it doesn't always have to be the standard garter belts and fish nets stockings. Two of the most erotic images I recall had to do with feathers. |
|
|
| Nudity and eroticism are found in the work of some of the world's top photographers. Helmut Newton said about his work "There are two dirty words in photography: one is 'art' and the other is 'good taste'. He didn't say that to me but he did quote a $32,000 day rate to me for a Japanese company that wanted to hire him years ago. I met with him and my Japanese agent at Hollywood 's Chateau Marmont Hotel to make arrangements for him to work for the client. (The client went elsewhere as the fee was too high for them). |
| Look up a few of the masters of 20th century erotic and nude photography: Newton, Edward Weston, Ralph Gibson, Sam Haskins, Herb Ritts and Ruth Bernhard among others. |
| TIPS |
| • |
To avoid being blocked by the content filter, no full frontal nudity or overly sexual positions. |
| • |
Don't over look the details of the model's hands and feet; hair and skin. |
| • |
Revealing less rather than more can often result in images that have a greater emotional impact. |
| • |
Study the masters |
|
|
Tags: advice images photo sensual sexy women
                      |
|
|
|
Comments (41)
|
 |
Ive actually just taken loads of self portrait pics in this genre to give it a try and thanks for all the info it was really good fun - posted by
Lensara
on April 25, 2007 |
 |
(((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))
thanks Denise.. - posted by
Ladykassie
on April 16, 2007 |
 |
i'm sorry my mom and dad had gone through this soooo many times. remember "it" comes from the inside...... - posted by
Denisebeverly
on April 16, 2007 |
|
That was a great laugh Denise.. you made me laugh.... after coming back from the doctor and again, having to deal with skin cancer.. this time on my shoulder, and maybe (another spot on my cheek, which is about an inch that will be taken out if it is.. ughhhhh) Now I don't feel sexy.. ughhhhh.... - posted by
Ladykassie
on April 16, 2007 |
|
alice mine is the same way, disheveled, sleep deprived,dirty work clothes...whatever, he still sees me as the most beautiful and desirable woman on the planet. if i could feel half as beautiful as he thinks i am, i would be too obnoxious to deal with haha - posted by
Denisebeverly
on April 16, 2007 |
|
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That is why one of the tips at the end of the blog is: • "Revealing less rather than more can often result in images that have a greater emotional impact".
So true!!!!!!
My husband thinks I am sexy when he sees me first thing in the morning, still in my pjs and working at the computer with my mug of coffee.. '-)
Just one of the many things why I married him! - posted by
Ladykassie
on April 16, 2007 |
|
Does sexy have to have nudity? Does Sexy have to have female bodies half clothed or male bodies half clothed? from Ladykassie and
I've seen images of sand dunes that were sexy. . . its been said the brain is the most prominent sex organ in the body. . .its really more about the sensual nature of an image than it is about large exposed areas of skin. from Lightart
i agree with you both as this is something i eluded to somewhere in all my "talking" about this. :)
ellen i will email soon. when i went back to look through i found many common threads.
this seems to be an issue with a handful of photographers, who intentionally or due to a misunderstanding of our wonderful english language have included both teen and adult in their shots of this nature.
many were simply keyword spamming including the exact same words on every shot, most of which didn't apply to the photo anyway.
if i might i would like to suggest, ... (More) - posted by
Denisebeverly
on April 16, 2007 |
 |
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That is why one of the tips at the end of the blog is: • "Revealing less rather than more can often result in images that have a greater emotional impact". - posted by
Boughn
on April 16, 2007 |
|
So true LightArt..
Also.. I think my dog is sexy..  - posted by
Ladykassie
on April 16, 2007 |
 |
Does sexy have to have nudity? Does Sexy have to have female bodies half clothed or male bodies half clothed?
I've seen images of sand dunes that were sexy. . . its been said the brain is the most prominent sex organ in the body. . .its really more about the sensual nature of an image than it is about large exposed areas of skin. - posted by
Lightart
on April 16, 2007 |
 |
Hello to all - not long time ago I have read an interview where a Czech actress has told that much more "sexy" is when the body is discovered in way that one must imagine the rest. Indeed, when you started to talk about this topic and Ladzkassie asked if sexy have to have nudity, I have recall an image seen on exbition. It has been close up of female neck and breast. She was dressed in old type dress like from middle age pub, so her breast was pushed up and near the breast was a cross. And it was illuminated with warm orange light... it was really sexy in my opiniom and artistic in the same moment.
Have a excellent day!
Starblue - posted by
Starblue
on April 16, 2007 |
|
Does sexy have to have nudity? Does Sexy have to have female bodies half clothed or male bodies half clothed?
- posted by
Ladykassie
on April 16, 2007 |
 |
Maybe it was inadequate clothing making an inappropriate photo? :)
- posted by
Stuartkey
on April 16, 2007 |
 |
PS: user banned for posting inadequate photo
Inadequate? or Inappropriate? Either way, I'm glad to see that action was promptly taken.
Sandy - posted by
Avion49
on April 16, 2007 |
 |
We realized that this theme will spark discussions and this is one of the main reasons it was posted, because this is why the blog is here. We delayed its post a while because of the Easter holiday.
Now, on topic, this is supposed to be a site for specialists. The terms clearly say that:
Children
Children (persons under the age of 18) are not eligible to use this site unsupervised and we ask that children do not register for an account or submit any personal information to us. By using this site unsupervised, and/or registering for an account, you warrant that you are 18 years of age or older.
This means that all of us (including me) have to be careful when we browse the site with our kids near us. The content filter works, but its sensitivity is set to "adults" not to minors.
So, this is a theme that is to be discussed between professionals of the stock industry. This come with the positive and negative criticism about where the advertising ... (More) - posted by
Achilles
on April 16, 2007 |
 |
I never have posted anything until this post. I guess this just strikes a cord with me having four children one of which is a 14 year old daughter. Being around her friends etc. has made me realize that advertising is playing a big role in how the kids dress and what they feel is "o.k. and acceptable". I believe that each one of the photographers whether teens or adults should really think about what they shoot and how will it affect our society as a whole.
"LightArt, remember that the only reason we realized we were naked is because of sin other than that no-one would even be having this conversation"
I think many companies are taking strides to change these images and projections....Like Dove soap ads, they advertise natural beauty. Not that there is not a need for nudity still. If people want porn they do not have to come to a stock site for it, there are tons of it for free on the internet. They want tasteful and that is what this blog is about, they come to ... (More) - posted by
Riskyphoto
on April 15, 2007 |
|
Please do not open the URL in the message just above this. It would not get past our filter and is completely inappropriate to this venue. I'll get it removed as soon as I can. - posted by
Boughn
on April 15, 2007 |
 |
Removed by admin. - posted by
By_keven
on April 15, 2007 |
 |
Great post, but I disagree with the statement that images of nude and sensual men are in less demand that those of women. There's a great market for these models and photographs in the publishing world! Artists need sensually posed, handsome, adult males for use in covers for ebooks, website banners, promotional flyers, etc.
I hope more photographers start using males as subjects in their shoots, especially models who represent a diverse range of ethnicities. - posted by
Artchick
on April 15, 2007 |
|
Boy, has this thread lost it's way.
I was so glad to see Ellen's blog on the subject of 'sexy'. I shoot lots of pretty and young models, most clothed and some not. And probably my most commonly used keyword is 'sexy'.
I do not shoot porn and I have never seen anything approaching porn on this site or any other stock site with which I'm familiar. In fact I see far more suggestive and demeaning and exploitative images of women and young-looking girls in mainstream magazines than anywhere in the microstock world -- and mainly, ironically enough, in fashion advertising aimed at women, magazines like 'W' and 'Glamour' and 'Vogue'.
I also don't shoot models under the age of 21 in alluring or revealing or prurient poses and NEVER have used the keywords 'teen' or 'teenager'. My point is simply that this kneejerk leap from 'sexy' to 'porn' is irrelevant and specious within this context. So let's skip the porn talk and get down to business.
Ellen's blog ... (More) - posted by
Jwblinn
on April 14, 2007 |
|
maybe we are chasing the rabbit , while driving the car...i feel too lazy to run after it today hahah - posted by
Denisebeverly
on April 14, 2007 |
 |
but i think we have veered off course a bit.
Ka-bam! - posted by
Littlemacproductions
on April 14, 2007 |
|
regardless of the fact that it should or shouldn't be discussed in an open commercial setting. i believe ellen said she didn't think it needed to be discussed, whether that means in this thread or on DT , doesn't matter to me. the topic of the thread was not about religion or freedom of said religion. so i think we should steer away from chasing that rabbit. the debate over appropriate model shots was a subject appropriate detour, but i think we have veered off course a bit.
Well said. :) But I want to know. . are we driving a car. . or hunting rabbits? ;) - posted by
Lightart
on April 14, 2007 |
|
regardless of the fact that it should or shouldn't be discussed in an open commercial setting. i believe ellen said she didn't think it needed to be discussed, whether that means in this thread or on DT , doesn't matter to me. the topic of the thread was not about religion or freedom of said religion. so i think we should steer away from chasing that rabbit. the debate over appropriate model shots was a subject appropriate detour, but i think we have veered off course a bit. - posted by
Denisebeverly
on April 14, 2007 |
|
I respect your beliefs but frankly religious prostelizing has no place on a commercial site.
Unfortuately, you are wrong. It is a myth of modern western culture that religion and talking about religion in a commerical setting "has no place." Many people have made much money with overt prostelizing. For example, Ben Franklin (no religious zealot by any means) made his fortune publishing the sermons of George Whitfield.
Yeah, and he also tested out electricity with a kite and a key. . . and in Salem they advertised the transgressions of sinners by putting people in stocks, and drowning or burning witches. I'd say those were relevant paradigms for contemporary life too . . wouldn't you? :) - posted by
Lightart
on April 14, 2007 |
|
I respect your beliefs but frankly religious prostelizing has no place on a commercial site.
Unfortuately, you are wrong. It is a myth of modern western culture that religion and talking about religion in a commerical setting "has no place." Many people have made much money with overt prostelizing. For example, Ben Franklin (no religious zealot by any means) made his fortune publishing the sermons of George Whitfield.
- posted by
Thyrymn
on April 14, 2007 |
|
"LightArt, remember that the only reason we realized we were naked is because of sin other than that no-one would even be having this conversation"
I respect your beliefs but frankly religious prostelizing has no place on a commercial site. - posted by
Lightart
on April 14, 2007 |
|
ellen i will , but it will be later today or perhaps tomorrow. my son is home today and tomorrow all day, and runs by my computer a lot. for instance 4 times while i have been typing this...i will enjoy it while i can...he still likes me :) i will go back and scan through first chance i get. - posted by
Denisebeverly
on April 14, 2007 |
|
Hello Denise: I will take a look at the keywords. But please remember 18 is the age of consent and considered adulthood in most states and countries. And 18 and 19 are considered "teens" and their images should be keyworded as such so nude and teen are rightfully together in those images. If you would like to send some image numbers for me to look at that you think are wrong, please send to support to forward to me. But I won't get into a discussion of how religious beliefs should effect photography nor censorship. Nor should we here. But I'm glad for the lively discussion. Thanks to you all. - posted by
Boughn
on April 14, 2007 |
|
I never have posted anything until this post. I guess this just strikes a cord with me having four children one of which is a 14 year old daughter. Being around her friends etc. has made me realize that advertising is playing a big role in how the kids dress and what they feel is "o.k. and acceptable". I believe that each one of the photographers whether teens or adults should really think about what they shoot and how will it affect our society as a whole.
"LightArt, remember that the only reason we realized we were naked is because of sin other than that no-one would even be having this conversation" - posted by
Sonyae
on April 14, 2007 |
Pages: 1 | 2 of 2 - Previous | Next
Comments (41) |
This article has been read 190895 times.
Photo credits: Lev Dolgachov, Fritz Langmann, James Steidl, Gruizza, Ivan Polushkin, Maxfx, Dreamstime.com Agency, Lev Dolgachov, Kurhan, Bg_knight, Yuri Arcurs, Maxfx, Yuri Arcurs, Tomasz Trojanowski, Photogirl-la, Dreamstime.com Agency, Gruizza, Aaron Twa. |
|
|
|
| Search the blogs! |
 |
|
|
|
| Stock Photography that SELLS! |
|
|
Ellen Boughn, a veteran of the stock photography industry with over 30 years
of experience gives expertise tips on successful stock.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Archive |
|
2008
 |
|
|
2007
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ellen Boughn
(Boughn)
Bainbridge Island, US
I am Dreamstime's Director of Content and Business Development. A long time stock industry professional, I have held executive positions at Corbis and Getty (Stone) as well as at several other large US agencies. Although I was given my first camera when I was six years old by my father, I gave up taking pictures when I became a photo editor. A lifetime of looking at the best work from some of the world's best photographers, made me realize my skills were in editing images, not taking them. My areas of expertise are content and business development.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
