When a photograph makes you feel like retching (Graphic/NSFW content)

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

05/06/2008 09:33:58 AM · #1

DO you think it has gone too far?

Do you think it is a good thing to feel that way artistically?

Do you think it is art?

Is it an amazing thing to have captured?

If done technically right does it make it any better?

Do you think the photographer would be pleased with the result it has on people?

I have an example in mind (can not get it out of my mind), it is a very well shot shot. Techincally it is great, But do you think the artist is going for a viceral thing?

CEJ

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

05/06/2008 09:39:56 AM · #2

It depends entirely on the individual photograph. The example you posted (and the one after it in the profile) just totally turn me off in every respect. Which may seem in direct contradiction to the fact that scenes from accidents, disasters and such don't bother me at all.

citymars

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

05/06/2008 09:43:05 AM · #3

I don't think the "photo" has gone too far, I think the subject has. However, that's not my business. The photographer is documenting someone else's kink (I'm guessing the piercing/suspending is practiced by the subject and was not imposed by the photographer for the sake of the photo.)

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

05/06/2008 09:45:27 AM · #4

trying to decide if something is "art" is fruitless

is this any different than tribes that scar themselves, or lengthen their necks, or stick huge hoops in their ears or bottom lip?

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

05/06/2008 09:51:48 AM · #5

Good point Hopper, I think I Have less of a gut reaction to tribes that scar themselves, or lengthen their necks, or stick huge hoops in their ears or bottom lip.

And I think for me, it is becuase it is their culture and not self mutilation.

But in saying that, who are we to know if that is not her culture and she does not consider it self mutliation but as beauty?

klkitchens

Pentax K-1

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 AF

05/06/2008 09:52:13 AM · #6

What would be even scarier is the kind of person that would buy such a print -- and that DPC Prints approved it for sale... EEP!

Looks like the kind of thing a serial killer would have on his shrine-wall.

05/06/2008 09:57:35 AM · #7

DO you think it has gone too far? no

Do you think it is a good thing to feel that way artistically? Not sure what you are asking

Do you think it is art? the piercing? or the photography? if the piercing, not necessarily, but i'm just one opinion. i don't think macros of eyes are "art" either, but a lot of people do

If done technically right does it make it any better? actually, probably yes. at least then it is just the subject that makes me cringe -- not the technique

Do you think the photographer would be pleased with the result it has on people? I have no idea. Perhaps. Hopefully, though, s/he doesn't care and follows the advice of many of on this board -- photograph what makes YOU happy

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

05/06/2008 09:57:40 AM · #8

Originally posted by JulietNN:

And I think for me, it is becuase it is their culture and not self mutilation.

It's self mutilation .... cultural or not. But we've seen TV about "right of passage" rituals for boys so we're not horrified by it. We've been desensitized to it. It's hard for me to look at the image you've posted ... no doubt about it - but the scaring is minimal, as is the danger if done properly.

It's just shocking cuz you don't ever see people do it

05/06/2008 10:00:30 AM · #9

Originally posted by HawkeyeLonewolf:

????

Am I the only one that has seen documentaries on this before?

People who would buy such a print -- ummm, the subject? Other people who do this. People doing a print documentary on this.

As far as approval, dpcprints takes a wide berth when it comes to approvals. I honestly don't see a reason NOT to approve it.

smardaz

05/06/2008 10:06:55 AM · #10

my opinion is already in the comments section of the shot

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

05/06/2008 10:07:33 AM · #11

Very interesting points too Karmat. You may have been the only one that saw this documentary.

Do you think it is a good thing to feel that way artistically? Not sure what you are asking

What I meant by this was, we all have a gut reaction when we see a photograph or work of art. Does it affect your artistic sensibilities? IS the artist in you shocked, amazed, stunned when you see something like this?

Do you think that people have become desenstitized to shots like these through media, tv, books etc?

05/06/2008 10:07:42 AM · #12

Originally posted by smardaz:

my opinion is already in the comments section of the shot

but, but, but that means I would have to look at the shot again. (hahahah)

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

05/06/2008 10:10:37 AM · #13

okay, here is another question. For a shot like this, should it be in teh nude gallery where it is right now, or in the horrow gallery.

I think that question is a tough one, I personally would want it in the horror gallery as it has no real nude bits at all and I consider it to be horrific.

I feel that littlegets shots are tame in comparison, and I think i feel that way, becuase I know that they are not real, where as this is. Does that make sense?

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

05/06/2008 10:12:58 AM · #14

Originally posted by JulietNN:

It's been years since I saw it, but it was exploring the whole suspension thing -- why people do it, how badly it hurts (most say the pain is minimal), scarring (not too bad, if done correctly as mentioned), etc.

To answer your question, I guess for me, is I can look at it, say, "Ouch. not my cup of tea" and move on. Obviously, for someone, though it is their cup of tea. In looking at the pictures, I did notice that they were well done. So, I think the answer to your question is that though I have a "gut reaction" to it, I can still make a decision about whether I think it is an "artistic" picture or not. (Is that kinda what you are looking for?)

trevytrev

Canon EOS-5D

05/06/2008 10:14:13 AM · #15

I've done a lot of fishing in my days but I've never caught one of those before. But if I did you can bet I would take a picture, now that's a fish story!

soup

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

05/06/2008 10:18:09 AM · #16

i have - but it was more aimed at the fact that many who pratice this type of thing are doing so in a unsafe/unsanitary manner. and therefore suffer more from infection and disease than from the actual piercing of the skin.

Originally posted by karmat:

????

Am I the only one that has seen documentaries on this before?

is it weird - yes

is it gross - no

to each his own. no different than tatoos IMO.

Message edited by author 2008-05-06 10:19:16.

ivale28

Nikon D40

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6G ED

05/06/2008 10:23:08 AM · #17

Originally posted by JulietNN:

DO you think it has gone too far? Nope. Different than the norm on here but too far? I don't think so.
Do you think it is a good thing to feel that way artistically? The photographer or the model? I don't think this is a 'bad' thing to do, if that's what you mean.

Do you think it is art? 'What is art' has been debated too many times to count. This is not 'art' to me but that doesn't matter. To the model and the photographer, it obviously is.

Is it an amazing thing to have captured? Again, definitely different.

If done technically right does it make it any better? Sure, as an image, technical talent can certainly improve the image quality.

Do you think the photographer would be pleased with the result it has on people? Perhaps - its getting attention, promoting conversation.

I have an example in mind (can not get it out of my mind), it is a very well shot shot. Techincally it is great, But do you think the artist is going for a viceral thing?Obviously I don't know what the artist is going for, but from this image (and the others in the portfolio) it doesn't seem to me that he is 'going for a visceral thing'. The model is beautiful, images are clean and bright...

In all honesty, I don't find these images disturbing or tasteless at all.

Edit to add I have seen a couple of documentaries about this (usually done as a part of a whole about body modification).

Message edited by author 2008-05-06 10:26:56.

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

05/06/2008 10:23:47 AM · #18

K, I think so.

I mean it is a very well done shot, the lighting is good, the tones are good, the details are all in focus (ewww)

I think from that standpoint adn the situation of the situation, that as an artist, I can say oh well done.

I am not offended by the subject matter, but I guess I am disgusted with the subject matter, I suppose it is similar to that chap that put dead babies on display.

Am I trying to put a creative cap on anyone, no i dont think so, but then again, is this site wanting something like that, when we have children who participate on here. I know people can say, well dont look at it, but seriously who is going to stop them.

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

05/06/2008 10:25:29 AM · #19

Actually, that was not fair of me to say that. and I apoligize.

xianart