WNY Models

Andy · by **Andy** on July 23rd, 2004, 9:00 pm

Heather (OMP #76954), a great local model with whom several of us have had the pleasure of working (Tiana, Dave M., Ray S. tio name a few) used a recent image of mine as her main image on one of the leading national model sites. The site administrator wrote her to say that it was too risque (and also removed her from a contest on the site for reasons that escape me but were in his mind related to this 'inappropriate' image). Needless to say, Heather was mad and upset and I, well, let's just say that I e-mailed him regarding what I felt were major inconsistencies in their standards.

A quick search through the catalogue of images that have been honored by the site showed many examples of far more blatantly offensive images. I understand how difficult it is for a large site to accurately and fairly review and rate all submissions...still...

Here's the image...

I am interested in your thoughts regarding appropriateness (this was categorized as fashion), offensiveness, etc...and although the point is not to solicit critiques on the work, I'll gladly take those, too.

Thanks! Andy Webster
Studio338.com

Max · by **Max** on July 23rd, 2004, 9:10 pm

Hmmm... I liked the series I saw of Heather in your studio today... this image is not all that offensive and certainly isn't in appropriate for the site it was on... regarding the image overall the only critique I would say is that she looks like she is in a awkward position... but that is also what makes this image... keep up the good work and welcome to digital!

RayS · by **RayS** on July 24th, 2004, 5:48 am

Andy,
Think you just got caught up in the world of political correctness. With the contest that Heather was in being a teen contest on OMP my belief would be that they did not want to have any images that might be provocative in any way. It looks like OMP put on those glasses that have a narrow field of view where all of the images should conform to the ideal American Teen that was every ones viewpoint 30 years ago. The world has changed since then and I don't know many teens over the age of 18 that fit that profile. What their error might have been was to include teens over the age of 18 in the competition as it makes unfair demands on both age groups. It is tough for a 13 year old to compete with a 19 year old and for that 19 year old to try and look like she was 16 again. In fact there are not many 14 and 15 year olds out there that are not trying to look like they are 19. One of the reasons I don't photograph many juniors.
It is clear, in my mind, that OMP just did not want to get caught up in any political correctness issue.
Just my opinion,
RayS

Andy · by **Andy** on July 24th, 2004, 10:51 am

Max and Ray,

Thanks for the input! Ray, I think you are probably right -- that would be their explanation -- and it would have some legitimacy with two conditions. First, if they had made the ground rules clear (age, other work by the model etc) and second, if they weren't some pretty provocative work included in the contest (and Heather's image wasn't at all provocative) and if some of the models in the contest didn't specialize in glam nudes.

I realize they are in a tough spot and that I am not going to change city hall...but the inconsistency still irks me.

On a brighter note, I have three shoots scheduled this weekend...guaranteed to make me forget about incomprehensible issues like this.

WNY Models

Too risque? your opinion? - Please let me know what you think...

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