This thread was locked on 2012-12-13 18:26:03
Forums > Model Colloquy > are penis erections impressive in photos

Model

Cole Morrison

Posts: 3958

Portland, Oregon, US

Zack Zoll wrote:

It has nothing to do with being gay.  It's because a penis is meant for fucking, and that's it.  And I don't mean 'it's used for sex' -  I mean 'it does the fucking.'  Sure we urinate with it, but women seem to be able to accomplish that just fine without one.  Unlike female genitals, the penis has no other uses.

That means that any photo ever taken of a man with an erect penis is about sex.  He just had sex, he's about to have sex, he wants to have sex with the viewer, whatever.  More to the point, he's gonna' be the one doing the sexin'.  That is why erect penises are not seen as art; there's absolutely no room for interpretation.

If you really want to get into the sociophilosophy of it, it also has to do with the fact that the viewer has an inherently dominant relationship to a portrait.  Many artists, such as Robert Mapplethorpe have challenged this, but it is still the standard.  The viewer gets to ogle the person in the portrait for as long as they want, make up whatever back story they want, and move along to the next image whenever they feel like it.   In a way, the viewer gets to force the person in the portrait into role-playing with them.

The fact that it's okay for women to be shown as sexual beings in a photograph is because women have historically been seen as the passive sexual partner in most cultures.  Showing a woman spread-eagle on the hood of a Mustang doesn't change our dynamic with the photograph.  We might be offended, shocked, turned on or off, or any other response, but the viewer remains the dominant one in our relationship with the photograph.

Having an erect man in the same position does change our relationship to that photograph.  Now, the photograph OWNS us.  It's not about what we want to see anymore - it's about what he wants to do to us.  And while we can still look away, we're no longer fully in control of our viewing experience with that image.

The fact that Mapplethorpe could do this so well, often without actually showing erect penises, is why he is regarded as a master of the genre.  Not because he was an Irving Penn with more nudes.

Wow! What an impressive answer. I never looked at things that way.

Dec 13 12 01:20 pm Link

Photographer

Top Level Studio

Posts: 3254

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Cole Morrison wrote:

Wow! What an impressive answer. I never looked at things that way.

Really.  That is thoughtful and logical.

Dec 13 12 01:30 pm Link

Photographer

billy badfinger

Posts: 887

Grand Rapids, Michigan, US

Yes...
A flaccid penis playing the piano is NOT impressive...
UNLESS,
it's Beethoven's 9th...then...I would be impressed!!!

Dec 13 12 01:33 pm Link

Model

Paige Morgan

Posts: 4060

New York, New York, US

Because this entire thread is obviously a thinly veiled attempt at various things that have nothing to do with modeling, the correct answer would be "neither".

Dec 13 12 01:37 pm Link

Model

Aaliyah Love

Posts: 113

Los Angeles, California, US

Michael Pandolfo wrote:

The fact the word "impressive" was used and not "acceptable" or "preferred" tells me this has little to do with anything actually modeling related.

this!

Dec 13 12 01:39 pm Link

Model

Aaliyah Love

Posts: 113

Los Angeles, California, US

C h a r l e s  D wrote:
A "Look at my penis" thread. Don't see too many of these around here.

OP, since 'impressive' is an opinion, there is no definitive answer.  Whatever gets you paying work or sells more images is what you should produce.   



I've never seen a vagina shot on MM.  Sure do see a lot of labias and vulvas, though.

labias and vulvas are PART of the vagina. I have vagina pics on my MM profile. They get the most clicks and most comments. Which makes me want to take those pics off of my profile..

Dec 13 12 01:42 pm Link

Photographer

S W I N S K E Y

Posts: 24376

Saint Petersburg, Florida, US

Aaliyah Love wrote:
labias and vulvas are PART of the vagina. I have vagina pics on my MM profile. They get the most clicks and most comments. Which makes me want to take those pics off of my profile..

pssst....the vagina is on the inside...kinda not the same..

and unless you have already taken them down your vagina is not visible in any of your images..

https://i.imgur.com/m8TQi.png

Dec 13 12 01:48 pm Link

Model

Julia Steel

Posts: 2474

Sylvania, Ohio, US

Mark De Rossi wrote:
what is more impressive in photos, erect or flacid?

flacid, if you can look good flacid then i am most impressed!

Dec 13 12 01:52 pm Link

Photographer

Dannielle Levan

Posts: 12865

New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada

https://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/7400000/Abe-Simpson-walking-in-and-out-the-simpsons-7414427-320-240.gif

Dec 13 12 01:53 pm Link

Photographer

Paul Pardue Photography

Posts: 5459

Oakland, California, US

the only erect penis I want to see is mine.

and the only flaccid penis I want to see is mine as well...

Dec 13 12 01:54 pm Link

Photographer

DG at studio47

Posts: 2365

East Ridge, Tennessee, US

Besides the obvious answers here [intent and content], an erect penis can be distracting if the model wishes to display their body as a whole [no pun intended]. the penis is a relatively small [sorry] part of the whole figure. An erect penis can steal the show [sorry]and distract from a great figure shot [sorry]. Much like placing an art work in a distracting frame, it can ruin the interpretation of the work. Decide "what" YOUR goals are, and display accordingly.Just remember, an erect penis by itself can be a lonely thing....................[sorry].

Dec 13 12 02:04 pm Link

Photographer

Ed Woodson Photography

Posts: 2644

Savannah, Georgia, US

UltimateAppeal wrote:
** quietly reflecting on why I shoot mostly (only) female models

Yup!!!

Dec 13 12 02:04 pm Link

Model

Anna Adrielle

Posts: 18763

Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

Michael Pandolfo wrote:
Hetero females can see art in the female nude because it's a universally beautiful thing - lines, curves, soft, etc.

Most hetero males (and most females of any sexual preference that I know) don't see that same beauty in the male form. The penis may be very utilitarian but it is by no means a beautiful object. (reminds me of the Seinfeld episode that dealt with male nudity).

I find an erect penis very beautiful. a flacid one looks a bit sad most of the time big_smile. an erect one looks so impressive though, and strong, and masculine.

I can appreciate an erect penis in like art-erotic type of images, but there is a time and a place for that.

Dec 13 12 02:16 pm Link

Model

Anna Adrielle

Posts: 18763

Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

OP, in regards to your private message to me: no, I do not think your flacid penis looks "funny".

Be my guest and start a critique thread, I'm sure I would have a lot to say about you and your flacid penis there.

Dec 13 12 02:24 pm Link

Model

Mark De Rossi

Posts: 30

North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

you can start one for me

Dec 13 12 02:27 pm Link

Photographer

MS Foto

Posts: 2224

Manchester, New Hampshire, US

Meh. It's really no different than any other nude capture, male or female: Can it be done well? Yes. Is it usually done well? No....

Dec 13 12 02:40 pm Link

Model

Anna Adrielle

Posts: 18763

Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

https://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=750750

didn't get all of your answers last time? hoping the mods would find it appropriate this time?

Dec 13 12 02:52 pm Link

Model

Paige Morgan

Posts: 4060

New York, New York, US

Anna Adrielle wrote:
OP, in regards to your private message to me: no, I do not think your flacid penis looks "funny".

Be my guest and start a critique thread, I'm sure I would have a lot to say about you and your flacid penis there.

I knew it.... he started this thread to send dick pictures big_smile

Glad I blocked him.

Dec 13 12 02:53 pm Link

Photographer

Jerry Nemeth

Posts: 33355

Dearborn, Michigan, US

Anna Adrielle wrote:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=750750

didn't get all of your answers last time? hoping the mods would find it appropriate this time?

lol

Dec 13 12 03:00 pm Link

Photographer

M Pandolfo Photography

Posts: 12117

Tampa, Florida, US

Paul Pardue Photography wrote:
the only erect penis I want to see is mine.

and the only flaccid penis I want to see is mine as well...

I really thought you were going with, "The only erect penis I want to see is mine and the only flaccid penis I want to see if YOURS." lol

Dec 13 12 03:01 pm Link

Photographer

Rik Williams

Posts: 4005

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

What is it you are trying to prove? That you are able to get a hard on, oh my that is impressive.
Or perhaps to show how desperate you are to stand out... No pun intended.
If you don't have what it takes to attract attention from potential clients without your old fella standing to attention, then you're in the wrong place bud.
An erect cock is for fucking, its a state of arousal, full stop. Therefore it has no valid place here or any other respectful modeling site.
And frankly, anything short of mine is not all that impressive smile

Dec 13 12 03:47 pm Link

Photographer

Jouissance Images

Posts: 744

Bloomington, Minnesota, US

Homophobia. A lot of it in this string.

Dec 13 12 03:54 pm Link

Photographer

Innovative Imagery

Posts: 2841

Los Angeles, California, US

It all depends on the message of the photograph.  Is an erection necessary to tell the story.  If not, it is a distraction.

Dec 13 12 04:12 pm Link

Model

Koryn

Posts: 39496

Boston, Massachusetts, US

Kent Art Photography wrote:
The problem with having a photo of a guy with an erection is that it stops being a photo of a guy with an erection and becomes just a photo of an erection.

Yeah, this. ^^^

Dec 13 12 04:24 pm Link

Model

Sabine Luise

Posts: 890

Boston, Massachusetts, US

Anna Adrielle wrote:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=750750

didn't get all of your answers last time? hoping the mods would find it appropriate this time?

big_smile lol

Dec 13 12 04:26 pm Link

Photographer

1873 Images

Posts: 383

Binghamton, New York, US

Jouissance Images wrote:
Homophobia. A lot of it in this string.

Just becuse I don't want to look at another guys junk doesn't make me homophobic.

Dec 13 12 04:30 pm Link

Model

Koryn

Posts: 39496

Boston, Massachusetts, US

I, personally, find the erection of edifices more impressive than "penis erections" -- but that's just me.

https://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii66/ronniesmall_photos/House%20Blueprints%20for%20adding%20on/HouseBlueprint1.jpg

Dec 13 12 04:30 pm Link

Artist/Painter

aquarelle

Posts: 2056

Chicago, Illinois, US

OK, so you got everyone to look at your wiener.  Now put it away until next year.

Dec 13 12 04:36 pm Link

Photographer

Kev Lawson

Posts: 11294

Las Vegas, Nevada, US

aquarelle wrote:
OK, so you got everyone to look at your wiener.  Now put it away until next year.

nahh, lets say 2014, it is too close to next year

Dec 13 12 04:39 pm Link

Photographer

EdwardKristopher

Posts: 3409

Tempe, Arizona, US

Kent Art Photography wrote:
The problem with having a photo of a guy with an erection is that it stops being a photo of a guy with an erection and becomes just a photo of an erection.

+1

Dec 13 12 04:43 pm Link

Model

IDiivil

Posts: 4615

Los Angeles, California, US

An erect penis in a photograph tends to draw my eye first and becomes the "center of the show" ... at least in many, many photographs of the erect penis that I have seen. There are few exceptions.

Because of that, I tend not to like erect penis in shots.

Dec 13 12 04:51 pm Link

Model

Amber Dawn - Indiana

Posts: 6255

Salem, Indiana, US

Select llamas wrote:
MM bans all erect penis images... so I guess you'll never now... wink

That had nothing to do with his question ...

Dec 13 12 05:17 pm Link

Photographer

Nor-Cal Photography

Posts: 3718

Walnut Creek, California, US

Please pass the Viagra!

Dec 13 12 05:45 pm Link

Photographer

MS Foto

Posts: 2224

Manchester, New Hampshire, US

When ever I see people speak of the penis being a "distraction" in a male nude because it's such a focal point I can't help but wonder: Do these people ignore a woman's breasts and pubic area in a female nude...? Of course not. These are the things that actually personify the genders, that's why we like to look... /hijack

MS Foto wrote:
It's really no different than any other nude capture, male or female: Can it be done well? Yes. Is it usually done well? No....

Dec 13 12 05:47 pm Link

Photographer

DVP Photography

Posts: 2874

Broomfield, Colorado, US

I don't think it's impressive unless you can knock a brick wall with it.  Is that what you wanted to know?

Dec 13 12 06:09 pm Link

Photographer

DVP Photography

Posts: 2874

Broomfield, Colorado, US

knock down

Dec 13 12 06:09 pm Link

Photographer

GER Photography

Posts: 8463

Imperial, California, US

Michael Pandolfo wrote:
What's more impressive in photos? NO penises.

Can I get an AMEN!!!!!!

Dec 13 12 06:14 pm Link