Only the latest example in a long row:

I am Olesea

Isn't it funny how many male critics are getting all excited and enthusiastic if a photo showing a nude or semi-nude woman is (or pretends to be) a self portrait? Even if there's no evidence guys are asking a female photographer if their nude shot is a self. And I would guess any mediocre female nude will get twice the rating if the critics believe it's a self portrait.

I'm not going to blame anyone but would seriously love to understand the psychological or cultural background of this phenomena. Any theories or suggestions?

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From sheenawilkie/Administrator (0) on April 13, 2012 9:38:32 AM CDT "The fact that it's a self portrait makes it even more special. I have great admiration for someone who loves the art of photography and has the courage to "reverse" roles, and put themselves in front of the camera." I've never read that on nude male self portraits. In fact the exact opposite is true. Men who take self nudes are often berated and demonized by other male users. Women seem ambivalent to male nudes or are not comfortable in critiquing them based on the reactions received around here. I think some people make assumptions about the type of person that would take a nude self portrait and post it on the Internet. Like women who do this are easy, guys who do it are perverts. In fairness to the critics, I do think some genuinely think this is a good portrait, subject matter aside. Bottom line is I think some guys are just very excited at the thought of communicating with the nude woman in the photograph they see. In many cases a woman young enough to be their daughter or grand daughter (and I have to say that always gives me the creeps). Although, in many cases the photographer is not who they think it is ;-) Reply

From lurchi/Ulrich (61,238) on April 14, 2012 2:43:59 PM CDT Thanks for your thoughts, some very good points. Funny again how little debate this thread did evoke ... Reply

From sheenawilkie/Administrator (0) on April 13, 2012 10:34:08 AM CDT Here is a similar issue: http://www.photosig.com/go/photos/view?id=2523274&forward= Subject matter truly affects people's ability to be discerning, particularly online where people can be anonymous for the most part. I doubt very much if you would hear these types of critiques in discussions where the parties are physically present. And I also think that personalities play a large part in this. Sadly for example, if I make a comment on a photo, either favourably or unfavourably, others have to take the opposite viewpoint simply for effect. I really think this goes to Alex's thread the other day Do you think poster with high Photo Rating Point has better pictures? Clearly there is more at work that simply how good a photo really is. Reply

From ollie0626/Jonathan (3,494) on April 13, 2012 10:41:43 PM CDT Physical beauty seems to frequently override technical issues. It is a shame - the site is a great way to get good feedback on a picture...and people are doing the site harm when they are seemingly overcome with the model's attractiveness. Reply

From ollie0626/Jonathan (3,494) on April 13, 2012 10:38:28 PM CDT I thought the critiques were pretty good. I certainly didn't critique the shot simply because it was a self portrait. Reply

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