Feminism Without Clothes

I had actually seen some of your work online with Bob Coulter, etc, and thought you’d make a great art model, but I also made a dumb assumption you were a NY area model. I also read a blog that you have, but it made comments about Canada, but I don’t think I ever read anything about you being in DC.

I have a theory about what happened with the no-show photographer.

Usually I screen these things well- this was someone who I was in constant contact with and who was familiar with other local models.

We had exchanged text messages as recently as three hours before I arrived for a day’s worth of shooting.

No one was there. I called repeatedly- no answer. I headed to the hotel via cab- what else could I do? I had to take Amtrak down to the shoot, as I don’t drive.

Why would someone who expressed a good deal of interest in shooting me just not show up?

Like I said, I have a theory. I think he did show up.

I think he saw me get off the train, makeup less and in faded clothes, and decided that I wasn’t worth the money.

 

Photography by Gary, taken in July, 2006.  

7 Comments »

Photographer,

Like the message I left on your phone said, I’m going to have to require that you mail me a money order for a total of 450 dollars in order to cover transportation, food, and lodging costs, as well as a “cancellation” fee.

I will be giving you ten days in which to do this. My mailing address is:

Somewhere in the dc area.

I expect to receive a money order in the mail no later than Thursday of next week.

I feel that I am being extremely generous with both the amount I’m requiring as well as the ten day grace period in which you have to mail it.

Like I said in the voice mail I left on your phone, my blog, Feminism Without Clothes, receives hundreds of hits every day, many of whom are regular readers.

I will not hesitate to post the details of our emails(all of which I have saved) as well as all of the personal information you have provided me with if you choose to ignore my extremely reasonable request.

-Candy Poses.

 

Photography by Joshua, June 2006.  

5 Comments »

Why is 18 the magic age?

All of a sudden, in the US, with the exception of alcohol, all the adult freedoms out there are accessible. Porn, cigarettes, sex with anyone else over 18, voting, getting married…all ours for the taking and doing, once we turn 18.

What’s the essential difference between a 17 year old and an 18 year old that makes things so different?

I’m going to speak specifically about nudity for a moment. This blog, in my eyes, is off limits to those under 18- I don’t want underage people reading this and looking at the pictures. Why? Simple. Legal reasons- I don’t want to get in trouble.

But is there really anything on here that’s inappropriate for a 17 year old- or younger? The vast majority of the pictures here are art nudes- although, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again- porn is in the eye of the beholder. If you want to see something as porn, you will. I’m of the opinion that my words could be much more corrupting to minors- although, that might just be wishful thinking.

There’s such depth and differences between individuals, and how they grow and change- because there’s no real way to measure this, there’s a set age that hopefully works for everyone. What I find troubling about this is that because there’s a set, defined age, it seems as if there’s a black and white phenomenon happening.

Why is it that a 17 year old “can’t” view pornography on the internet, but at 18 can star in internet pornography?

I understand why a set age is necessary, legally speaking- but I don’t think that, culturally, it needs to be applied quite like it is. No, I’m not saying that 17 year olds should star in pornography.

But, I am saying that people have to be looked at as individuals- regardless of their age, and be treated as such.

 

Photography by Bob Coulter, June 2006.  

UPDATE: Right after the posting of this entry, I learned that Plan B has finally been approved as an over-the-counter drug! It’s about time!

However, and how appropriate for this post- it’s only approved OTC for women 18 and over- despite the fact that there is no medical reason for this restriction. What made 18 the magic age?

9 Comments »

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password:

Enter your password to view comments

I’ve been giving some thought to this blog, and how I feel about it.

Some people believed that asking if I was losing weight was an appropriate comment- I didn’t. A 15 year old identified himself as such and continued to make comments, eventually revealing (or pretending to reveal) personal information. A long-time reader made multiple requests for a type of picture, even after I explained that I wasn’t working with that photographer at the moment, and eventually deemed me rude for not obeying her commands.

Exactly what have I opened myself up to here? Should I be gracious that I have returning readers and fans who have specific requests and concerns- but am I allowed to be annoyed when they express them in a way I find offensive? Am I under a type of obligation?

I want to be a nice person, but a big part of me wants to explain that I’m doing this optionally. I post when and what I want. You don’t have to read this if you don’t want to.

Where is the line between politeness and saying, “look, you’re getting naked pictures, stfu?”

Photography by Gary, taken in July, 2006.

24 Comments »

In one of my first posts, I made a list of beautiful women. One of them was a nude model who goes by the name Shyly. I thought, in light of the entry regarding my insecurity over comments about my weight as well as my series of posts dedicated to body image, it was time to give Shyly her very own piece in Feminism Without Clothes.

So, Shyly’s a nude model. So am I. And a whole lot of other people are, too. What makes her different? I’m sure there are many things- but here’s one: she weighs 320 pounds.

It’s not her weight in and of itself that’s important, in my eyes. It’s that she realizes and proves that fat women- and she refers to herself as fat on her site, The Beauty Curve- can be beautiful, and sexy, and naked, all at the same time. And, in our society, that’s quite an accomplishment.

She refers to what she’s doing as “size activism”- a bit misleading in my eyes. It seems to imply that it only benefits people of size. Like feminism, in my opinion, it improves the lives of everyone, not just the large.

So, thank you.

Photography by Craig Morey; model: Shyly.

Photography by Gary, taken in July, 2006.

11 Comments »

You may or may not be surprised, but I’m a huge fan of BME, also known as the Body Modification Ezine. It was there that, about a year or so ago, I ran across a model named Ella.

I am in utter awe of how gorgeous she is. I think her story and pictures speak for themselves.

And now for a picture of me- the following was created with a pinhole camera- the first time I’ve shot with someone who’s used one.

Photography by John, August 2006.

9 Comments »

I’ve decided to do a series of posts regarding body image- I’ve had a lot of great things just waiting to be mentioned. Here’s the first of what will be at least three separate entries on this topic.

A couple of years ago I happened upon a book entitled Girl Culture, by photographer Lauren Greenfield.

Recently, I discovered the online exhibit of Girl Culture.

According to the artist, “Girl Culture has been my journey as a photographer, as an observer of culture, as part of the media, as a media critic, as a woman, as a girl.”

I finding it to be haunting. Visit it, and decide for yourself.

Photography by Joshua, June 2006.

2 Comments »

are you losing weight

This comment was left on my blog, and I was surprised at how much it hurt. Every once in a while someone will leave a comment that rubs me the wrong way- I’ll either ignore it, or attempt to reply politely to it.

You’d think, especially with my other website, I’d have a thicker skin.

A friend pointed out that this may have been meant as a compliment: “Hey, you look great! Have you been losing weight?” But, it doesn’t seem like that.

I’m aware that by posting these pictures I’m opening myself up to critique, and that I should probably expect it.

That said…what makes a person think that that kind of comment is appropriate? Just because I post this kind of content does not mean that’s it’s acceptable to bluntly inquire about things that are, frankly, none of your damn business.

I can’t help but notice the irony about my weight being commented on in a blog about feminism. It’s enough inspiration for several blog entries.

So, anonymous commenter curious about my weight, is there any way you can give a reason for posting that, besides the fact that you’re nosy?

 

Photography by Bob Coulter, June 2006.  

25 Comments »

I sometimes get offers for TFP/CD (Time for prints/cd- I get paid with free images to use in my portfolio) that I’m just not interested in- and, I know that photographers have gotten similar offers from me that they’re just not interested in. They probably would have written back. I try and respond to people I don’t want to work with at the moment- just to say thanks for their interest.

Recently, I wrote back to one such photographer. He wrote back saying that he could add to my portfolio, and “help you to get where you need to be.” I thought this was an odd thing to say, and asked him where he thought I needed to be.

I don’t even know where I need to be.

Regardless, he didn’t tell me.

Photography by Gary, taken in July, 2006.

4 Comments »