WAY OT: My photo needs votes...

[misterfolkertsma]

Hey guys, no post on how I love my new black-tolexed Rocker30c... (I DO love it!)

Instead I'm going to be asking you all for a favor!

I'm part of an online photography-competition, every two weeks 2 photographers get eliminated from the competition.
Unfortunately I ended up in the elimination-round with the previous challenge, whether or not I deserved to be is something I'm not going to make a fuss about. All I want, is to continue to the next rounds because the challenges are really quite good at making me grow as a photographer. The tight deadlines make me more productive as well!

Here's the link to vote for my photograph: LINK!

Orange, circle the link around the offices and I'll come photograph your company for free!

Here's my photograph, challenge was 'erotic'.


I wanted to create a 'romantic-erotic' image, with something of a 18-19th century feeling. To me, erotism is about showing less because it leaves more to the imagination... just something to spark your desire or arousal. Leaving more to the imagination feels like you're getting involved in a more intimate and warm manner, which is very different to the cold pornographic 'show-it-all' you see these days. I also wanted to evoke feelings of purity, serenity, a natural atmosphere and the thought of an intimate moment between you (the viewer) and the lover (model).

Here you can see a 'making-of' video: http://youtu.be/u11nFlwa9ro

I invite you to give critique as well, I'm all about growing as a photographer and recieving critique is one of the best ways to grow. I'd be very grateful if you voted for my photograph, but I'd be just as grateful recieving contructive critique

[cica1066]

I voted for you and I really didn't think you should be in the elimination. I believe your take on erotica was a risky one to take, though for me the risk did sort of pay off. It is easier to evoke a cheap almost hollow desire by showing more ,I agree with you by showing less the viewer has more options to desire are it is up to the mind. the other photos were deliberately sexy (in some cases not erotic but only sexy) only to fuel a primal desire where as your photo attempts to satisfy to me an emotional desire. I feel there was not any credit given to you for taking a more difficult view of erotica (and to me you pulled it off well). I think you got the lighting near perfect on her imho. I think you chose a great person to photo in a great surrounding with great themes. I think your originality on this matter needed to be praised. Also you have mad good photography skills and I advise everyone here to look at you site and vote for you.

[misterfolkertsma]

Thanks! It's really awesome to me that you 'understand' the photograph and actually added some depth to the photo for me, through the perspective of the viewer.

[misterfolkertsma]

I thought the voting-poll would be closed 6PM yesterday but it seems people can still vote. So if there were any people that wanted to vote but thought they were too late, it's still open.

Vote for who YOU think was better though.

I'm sorry if this is all a bit too spammy, the contest is just really important to me because it helps me grow.

[bclaire]

I like yours better than the others. The second one is one of the least erotic photos I could imagine...

[starling1]

http://www.cla.purdue.edu/english/theor ... acrum.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[sizzlingbadger]

Hi, I'm a photographer too. Nice photo, the only thing I don't like is the background, its a bit busy and has bright spots that take your eye away from the main subject. Have a look at this version and see if you prefer it. Remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder and we are all different.

[Randy Bass]

Needs more boobz .

Yours is definitely far superior to the other two photos regardless of the intent or "challenge".

[misterfolkertsma]

Hi, I'm a photographer too. Nice photo, the only thing I don't like is the background, its a bit busy and has bright spots that take your eye away from the main subject. Have a look at this version and see if you prefer it. Remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder and we are all different.

No I think you're right, mine is too bright now that I've seen your version. Thanks for the critique!

[misterfolkertsma]

Allriiiight! I made it to the next round!

The next challenge is an interesting one: reportage, think photojournalism and documentary works. I have a secret love for documentary photography and works by photographers like Salgado and Nachtwey, but I've only done documentary project up until now so my experience isn't huge.

I think Im going for a subject that will be unique to the Netherlands: probably in the direction of our policies on softdrugs-use and prostitution. I'm not sure on touching sensitive subjects like anti-islam sentiment for a competition like this, especially with so many south-east asians watching the show. Other than that I dont know anything news-worthy happening in the netherlands.