What is "great" photography?

[Ekserb]

Permit me to sound pretentious and arrogant for a bit. After this I'll go back to my normal, humble self.

I have seen a lot of picture threads, some with high-quality pictures and some with really poor images. I want to know what your definition of "great" photography is.

Is it great when you see skin, or is it great when you see clear, focused images? Does your idea of skill encompass only the ability to point the camera at tits and ass, or does it also embrace a modicum of composition and lighting techniques? How about imagination?

Would you rather see the same angle of an ass for fifteen pages of photos or a single page with five unique images?

Please chime in with your constructive theories. I'd like to know what the typical Literotica member thinks.

Thanks!

 

[Chainzz]

Personally speaking , I like to see pics where
someone has taken the time to set up the background
with anything really , from a window , to marerial ,
to landscapeing . Anything is better than a pile of
dirty clothes , piles of childrns toys , or a bedroom
the looks like a bomb went off . This is after all
am pics , so just to see someone is trying is
" great " for me ...
It pisses me off to see a professional photographer
come in here and critique the pics negativly .
Most everyone I've spoken with here , is here for
the rush of exhibitionism , not to be judged
on thier photography chops .
Just saying ....

~ C​

 

[Ekserb]

What are you saying?

 

[Chainzz]

What are you saying?

Theres probably 2 dozen people around here who claim to be professional photographers . Dont get me wrong here , I'm not meaning to single anyone out , but to critique someones pic negativly , generally comes across here as extremely rude and arrogant . Having said that , offering helpfull advise on how to make the next series of pics even better would be great , it just doesnt seem to happen that way around here . Like I said above , in the big scheme of things , is it really about the photography here , or the thrill and rush of exposure ? LIT has a contest forumn for the folks who might be better at photography than others and have spent big money on cameras , lighting , oufits and whatever else , and others , well , how " great " of a shot are they really gonna get with a camera phone .

To sum this up , and in answer to your third paragraph ... yes to all the questions except the first , about skin , for me , sometimes leaving more to my imagination makes me appreciate the shots even more .

excellent pic in your sig btw , very cool !

 

[Chainzz]

Very nice stuff on your web site too ,
you do amazing work !
kudos !

 

[Guest]

Personally, I don't want to see professionally posed photos.... some have done that and to me they don't look 'real'.

On the other hand, some photos are so bad, I wonder why they have even been posted. I can't make out whether it's a butt, a pussy, a cock, a face, or a stain on the wall. They are either too close, stoo fuzzy or too small.... I don't understand why they are posted if you can't make anything out.

I'm also a fan of seeing the whole person rather than a gynaecological shot. I mean, a lot of time it could be anyone. Though some threads break this rule, notocably nicebutslim's... as for me her skin, body and sense of humour in posting is great.

What I like best is shots that have some effort put into them, yet are obviously amateur... that to me is the ultimate in sexiness. It feels like they are doing it for ME.... and the other users... rather than a set up. The best threads for this sort of thing in my humble opinion are HERE (elizabeth22673), HERE (red_flame) and HERE (coy_one).

That's my take on it anyway.

 

[NICEBUTSLIM58]

Great pornography

When a straight guy get's tied to a bed face down & screwed roughly by a dom lady with a huge strapon.
Maybe her gay brother pop's by and gives her a hand. Now that is great pornography, i would love to take some pics as well.

 

[Dbtk44]

Me personally...I find that a bit of imagination really takes what would normally be "run-of-the-mill" pictures, and gives them some life. There's a pretty wide range here on Lit, from grainy cam pics to what you'd consider professional quality photography; I guess when someone takes the time to inject a bit of their own personality into their photography, it gives it life.

Anyone who posts a picture on Lit is making ( maybe unknowingly) an artistic statement...that said, there are some mediums of art that I don't care for, and some that I can't get enough of. I would never vocalize in the negative to someone who took the time to share of themselves, but definently there are some who have much more of an eye for composition and the art of photography, and even a talent with photo manipulation, and those are the individuals that tend to keep me coming back to their threads. There are some who've started out with very basic cam pics, and worked their way up to beautiful and stunning pieces that rival professionals in their composition and presentation!

But what it all comes down to is this, at least in my mind...the thrill of exhibitionism is the main reason for the AmPics boards' existance, and the fact that anybody decides to share of themselves is good enough reason for me to enjoy what they've decided to put out there. Some aspire to more artistic presentation, and some make no such pretenses. But, that's the neat thing about a board like this, there are ( besides the legal aspect ) no rules! Everyone is free to share what they want to and put as much or as little into it as they want to.

Ok I digress....back to the original question.

What is "great" photography here on LIT? Any piece of photographic work that touches me in some way. Nude, non-nude, full body or parts...doesn't matter, it all comes down to the photographer and how the subject is handled.

One could get into the actual mechanics of it all, and what one would consider "Great" by certain criteria and such...but creativity doesn't easily bend to rules.

 

[happyparadox]

What is "great" photography?


Arbitrary and subjective.

 

[Britwitch]

I by no means consider myself as any kind of professional when it comes to photography but when I take photos, of myself or others, I do try to make the best of it that I can...And I guess I do appreciate it when other posters do the same...but that's not to say that sometimes the most intriguing and, to put it bluntly, more arousing shots can't be grainy or dark...
I guess I like what I like when I see it...

 

[Olivia_Yearns]

I tried to start a thread along these lines a little while ago. I thought that if people posted ampics that were their faves, and wrote what they particularly liked about the pic, it would help to think about what makes pics work.
https://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=429096

It wasn't my intention to make critical or negative remarks about anybody's pics, but just to point out what makes some pics special for us non-pros.

I don't even have an ampics thread, or even a digital camera. I just used my little webcam to take a few small stills that are mostly linked in my sig line. Even in those tiny images, I could see that lighting made a big difference to the texture and interest.

Some posters seemed to feel that even commenting on photo quality was somehow too much. I hope you have better luck here.
_________________________

T and A. Body

Jah Loved​

 

[paulmarkham]

What is "great" photography?


Arbitrary and subjective.

And totally irrelevant as no one here earns their living selling photos.

Unless you did not notice we are pornographers and that is as different to photography as writing a shopping list is to writing an erotic story.

I may be able to write in English, I may be able to spell. but can I capture the fantasy?

It's the same with porn. I earn a good living shooting porn with a camera, but never would I describe myself as a photographer.

Yes I do generally come across as "extremely rude and arrogant" sometimes. But shooting porn is tough and if a few hard but honest words deter you it's for the best.

 

[Olivia_Yearns]

And totally irrelevant as no one here earns their living selling photos.

Just 'cause we're not pros doesn't make it irrelevant. Just like the "author's hangout" isn't geared only to professional writers. I think there are some very sexy, generous people here who might have fun making their pictures a little hotter.
http://img323.imageshack.us/img323/6970/greenpanties0yn.jpg

 

[happyparadox]

And totally irrelevant as no one here earns their living selling photos.

Unless you did not notice we are pornographers and that is as different to photography as writing a shopping list is to writing an erotic story.

I may be able to write in English, I may be able to spell. but can I capture the fantasy?

It's the same with porn. I earn a good living shooting porn with a camera, but never would I describe myself as a photographer.

Yes I do generally come across as "extremely rude and arrogant" sometimes. But shooting porn is tough and if a few hard but honest words deter you it's for the best.

Lighten up, Dude. You're gonna blow an aneurysm.

 

[Galene]

For what it's worth, and knowing next to nothing on photography, I agree with what Dbtk44 said.

It's Amateur Pics after all... anybody who might be posting a mediocre photo today, could end up posting something sensational in a month or a year from now.... we live and we learn... and we learn a lot from our mistakes.

So yes, I voted for the "little effort"... it doesn't take much to kick your dirty socks under the bed before starting snapping the camera... or taking a couple of initial shots to check the lighting. We go to much more trouble tidying up our home and decorating a dish when we are expecting friends.... surely we can dedicate a few minutes to create a pleasant background when we are about to display ourselves.

Personally, I only enjoy photos of people who really try to express something... regardless if they are using expensive equipment or a cheap webcam.



.

 

[Chainzz]

For what it's worth, and knowing next to nothing on photography, I agree with what Dbtk44 said.

It's Amateur Pics after all... anybody who might be posting a mediocre photo today, could end up posting something sensational in a month or a year from now.... we live and we learn... and we learn a lot from our mistakes.

So yes, I voted for the "little effort"... it doesn't take much to kick your dirty socks under the bed before starting snapping the camera... or taking a couple of initial shots to check the lighting. We go to much more trouble tidying up our home and decorating a dish when we are expecting friends.... surely we can dedicate a few minutes to create a pleasant background when we are about to display ourselves.

Personally, I only enjoy photos of people who really try to express something... regardless if they are using expensive equipment or a cheap webcam.



.

My point exactly ...
well said Ran !
​

 

[iThink_2]

......

 

[Ekserb]

Very nice stuff on your web site too ,
you do amazing work !
kudos !

Thanks, but I hope you weren't referring to me as one of the pros you mentioned. I'm strictly amateur (so far), but I do feel there is a lot to be said for the suggestions put forth by some others on this thread. Kicking the dirty socks under the bed, giving a little thought to the background and lighting - these little things can add up to a much more enjoyable experience for the audience.

Olivia_Yearns has some very nice pictures in her signature. They are obviously shot with a web cam, but the effort to increase the quality is also plain to see. The draped sheet in the background instead of a cluttered computer desk, for instance.

Ran57gr commented that someone posting a crappy picture today may very well post a high-quality erotic photo within a few months. I agree, this could happen, but not if those initial images are followed with dozens of pages of "Wow! These are fantastic!" In those cases, I suggest commenting favorably on the person (who may very well be the hottest body to ever grace these forums) and still offer some helpful critique on the photography. "The camera is too close to your body and the flash over-exposed your ass. All I see is a white shape," would be helpful.

Unfortunately, too many people can't take even the smallest hint of constructive criticism. Too often a simple suggestion is taken the wrong way and the person who offered the advice is berated by every other member until a petty, childish flame war takes over the thread. It really is sad that so many "adults" would be unable to act in a civilized manner.

You also mentioned the camera phones. Personally, I hate the damn things, but I have seen some amazing images shot with a camera phone. These were taken, of all places, on a bus in London. The angle and composition were exemplary, and the subject (the other passengers on the bus) was a thing of beauty. Simple, grainy, black and white. Superb.

I hope we continue to get this kind of feedback on this thread!

 

[Chainzz]

Thanks, but I hope you weren't referring to me as one of the pros you mentioned. I'm strictly amateur (so far), but I do feel there is a lot to be said for the suggestions put forth by some others on this thread. Kicking the dirty socks under the bed, giving a little thought to the background and lighting - these little things can add up to a much more enjoyable experience for the audience.

Nope , wasnt refering to you at all , and why I said I wasnt singleing anyone out .
Art and photography are a wonderful thing , whats great to one person might just suck eggs to another . Some people "get " my art and others hate it , but thats ok , there's room here for all of us , as long as feelings dont get bruised . Crazy at may seem , even over this world wide web , strangers can be hurtful if words arent chosen wisely . I hope you didnt take it as me disrespecting your work , its a few other loud mouths around here that have driven away alot of really good people .
Peace !
~ C

 

[Olivia_Yearns]

Olivia_Yearns has some very nice pictures in her signature. [...]

Ran57gr commented that someone posting a crappy picture today may very well post a high-quality erotic photo within a few months. I agree, this could happen, but not if those initial images are followed with dozens of pages of "Wow! These are fantastic!" In those cases, I suggest commenting favorably on the person (who may very well be the hottest body to ever grace these forums) and still offer some helpful critique on the photography. "The camera is too close to your body and the flash over-exposed your ass. All I see is a white shape," would be helpful.

Thanks for the compliment.

I don't think it is a good idea to comment negatively on photography in people's individual threads, because they haven't asked for that, and might be feeling vulnerable, or not care. But if people want to cross post to a photography thread, and ask "what could have made this pic better", or post a pic they like and ask for comments on photography in this thread - well, then you know they are interested in hearing about the photo issue.

Again, as others have said, the beauty of amateur shots is that people are expressing something personal, out of their desire to be looked at, and that is a sexy quality pro shots don't have.

 

[Guest]

Again, as others have said, the beauty of amateur shots is that people are expressing something personal, out of their desire to be looked at, and that is a sexy quality pro shots don't have.

Hurrah!!

And there was me thinking I was invisible....

 

[elron77]

Ran57gr commented that someone posting a crappy picture today may very well post a high-quality erotic photo within a few months. I agree, this could happen, but not if those initial images are followed with dozens of pages of "Wow! These are fantastic!" In those cases, I suggest commenting favorably on the person (who may very well be the hottest body to ever grace these forums) and still offer some helpful critique on the photography. "The camera is too close to your body and the flash over-exposed your ass. All I see is a white shape," would be helpful.

Unfortunately, too many people can't take even the smallest hint of constructive criticism. Too often a simple suggestion is taken the wrong way and the person who offered the advice is berated by every other member until a petty, childish flame war takes over the thread. It really is sad that so many "adults" would be unable to act in a civilized manner.

You also mentioned the camera phones. Personally, I hate the damn things, but I have seen some amazing images shot with a camera phone. These were taken, of all places, on a bus in London. The angle and composition were exemplary, and the subject (the other passengers on the bus) was a thing of beauty. Simple, grainy, black and white. Superb.

!

A point should be made here-- that often those comments like "Wow! These are fantastic!" are given to first time people who are just starting a thread. Exhibitionist or not, it takes a certain amount of courage to stick pictures of ones body out there for for the "whole world" to see. Especially when most of us don't have a "perfect" body. There are always a few trolls around, waiting to pounce--- If a person gets some encouragement and acceptance early -- I suspect they are much more likely to concentrate on the quality, whether erotic or artistic, of their photo's latter on, when they have had a chance to gain confidence.

 

[millieteases]

Ok, from a totally amateur point of view - I know almost nothing about photography...

I like it focused unless it's trying to be arty.

I like it well-lit so I can see what I'm supposed to be looking at.

I like people who share their bodies with us this way a lot more than I do worrying about backgrounds and stuff so I don't spend a lot of time worrying about that stuff.

 

[Ekserb]

So far, out of 28 votes, one hundred percent would rather the photographer take a little time than make no effort at all.

Does this mean there should be a "learning thread?" Maybe someplace where anyone can post tips or things they have learned so that a rank amateur can get a few ideas about how to get a better photo?

 

[Galene]

So far, out of 28 votes, one hundred percent would rather the photographer take a little time than make no effort at all.

Does this mean there should be a "learning thread?" Maybe someplace where anyone can post tips or things they have learned so that a rank amateur can get a few ideas about how to get a better photo?

I think it would be of great help.
Also, what Olivia said "...cross post to a photography thread, and ask "what could have made this pic better", or post a pic they like and ask for comments on photography...".
Personally, I'd be thankful to receive input on how to improve what I do, both on quality and on concept.