Porn vs. Art

[Ashlyn Murphy]

I am not sure if this has ever been discussed here, I have browsed some of the boards but haven't had a chance to catch up with everything. I have talked to some other Charms a little about this when I was asking for advice about making my updates better.

My question for fans and other Charms is, should our work be all about the sex or being sexy? Do any of you appreciate a more artsy style? I was told once that I should crop my pictures to focus more on me, not what is in the background. That really stuck in my mind, because a lot of the time, for me anyway, the art of the setting is why I love doing this. I love that we can get different angles that highlight the background. IMO, the setting is part of what tells the story. So why not throw in some pics that show that? I realize that people want to see us and I think we do a good job of getting the variety ... close ups, etc. But I LOVE when we can make good "art".

Sitting here going thru photos for a future update and this topic came to mind. Will try to attach a picture of sorta what I am talking about.

[SultrySerenaSC2]

I think it's different for everyone. I like the backgrounds in the pics......I find them more interesting. BUT, I'm not a guy who maybe just wants to see bare skin

I'd say, do what makes YOU happy and what YOU enjoy. Because I truly believe that if we aren't enjoying ourselves, then the guys looking at our pics are gonna notice and it won't be as enjoyable for them.

That's a beautiful pic, and I think the blue sky and clouds behind you is simply amazing. For your update, why don't you post one like you have, and then crop it and post another "close-up" pic with you being the focus?

[Xandusk]

I'm with Serena on this one. I personally enjoy the change of background, location, props etc. I think it keeps things interesting. And I know it keeps me happy. I always try to include both different as well as just the good stuff pictures in each update. As a porn fan myself I know that is what I enjoy

[SultrySerenaSC2]

I really like outdoor photos. A tad bit of an exhibitionist I guess.......lol
But I enjoy the sneaky flashing shots with "LIFE" going on right behind me.........the fact that I'm doing something so private right out there in public! So I try to always capture the "background" of that outdoor life when I'm doing pics.......

[hook]

As a fan I enjoy seeing what is in the background. I love seeing anything outdoors and the old buildings and such. Part of the update to me is seeing the setting. You work hard to arrange stuff for a photo shoot, it would be shame to crop it all out. Do what makes you happy and if you leave the background in, hey to me its more bang for the buck.

[Ashlyn Murphy]

Awesome, thanks for all of the input. That has always been my thoughts as well. We actually make a lot of effort to search out the backgrounds sometimes. If I were going to crop that out, I could just as easily do all the pictures in my bedroom. I do know that people want to see flesh so we do always have close ups of myself in most of the things we shoot. I am just happy to hear that I am not crazy in that I see the pictures for more than just the person that is in them.

[SultrySerenaSC2]

I think pictures in a bedroom is........well kinda boring. Admittedly, I'm guilty of doing "bedroom" updates on occasion. But hey, life sometimes throws you a curveball - and there's no other option.

Where I live, it's really REALLY hard to find secluded outdoor places to shoot. Not that I mind being watched, however I do have a slight problem with being arrested for indecent exposure

[Ashlyn Murphy]

LOL Yes, of course. Sometimes, well a lot of time in the winter, it is super hard to get out of the house for pictures. I am a little skittish as well when we do outdoor shoots. I look at pictures and some people just amaze me with the things they have the balls to do. On the swingers site we are on, there is a couple that has pictures of her flashing at a fast food place's drive thru. She just walked up to the little microphone box where you order and was posing. I would LOVE to do stuff like that.

[RosiePieCharm]

My honest advice is to take both. I always try to have pictures with the background AND close ups. That was everyone is happy. There really isn't any reason not to zoom in on "the goods" or whatever between ultra sexy art photos.

[Hung8Tung]

Agreed on the "do what you're comfortable with" sentiments. Varied locations definitely keep shoots interesting but don't agonize over it on every shoot. The location is meant to set the stage for the shoot's "story". If you want the location to BE the story, then forget the poses and just shoot nature photography.

And as Serena mentioned, sometimes life and reality interfere and you have to do shoots in private. As long as you keep things varied, that's what matters.

As long as I've been a fan of Alaya/SC3, that's been the one thing I wish she would do more of - locations. I suspect though that she lives somewhere that it's difficult if not impossible to shoot without getting in trouble. Lesser of two evils, I guess.

[RosiePieCharm]

I think it would be misleading to call DeviantArt a porn site. Lots of people would turn up expecting nothing but porn and find it was only, like, 70-80 sexual. Its just an art site which doesnt censor much.

Agreed. And it usually isn't whole photo sets or anything like that. Just artsy photos in the nude. (Usually.)