Garry k wrote:
I think the top half of this photo is interesting ( and arty ) as with the top half of your avatar photo

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/37214124

That was rude and doesn't even remotely answer the OP's question. Having commented in the forums 27 gazillion times, I'm sure you know better than that. Apologize to the OP and then go sit in the corner and think about what you've done.

Now, to the OP: I would not say your work is editorial at all. Mostly I think your work goes under the category of "artistic nude," except obviously where your models aren't nude. Those I would categorize simply as portraits.

cheshiredave wrote:

That was rude and doesn't even remotely answer the OP's question. Having commented in the forums 27 gazillion times, I'm sure you know better than that. Apologize to the OP and then go sit in the corner and think about what you've done.

Now, to the OP: I would not say your work is editorial at all. Mostly I think your work goes under the category of "artistic nude," except obviously where your models aren't nude. Those I would categorize simply as portraits.

I don't think Garry was being rude or crude at all.  In fact the clouds he captured do show that the  OP does have a proliclivity toward art photography.

Though the images lack the pose or emotion that would be required by the art genre.  Steichen and other master photographers did nothing but shoot clouds for extended periods of times. And you can find more than a few photography books of nothing but images of clouds.
I would say the there are 3 images that are close to being art images, the majority of images are portraits.

I would advise going to the local college and recruiting dancers and gymnasts to pose for you. They have an understanding about movement and body awareness and line that you really need if your are going to shoot art nudes.  Offer to pay them $25 per hour with a four hour minimum. Shoot in a studio perfect your lighting, and look for pleasing body shapes and lines.  Focus on how the light plays along the body.  Then work on bringing emotion out of your models.  The model does not have to always look at you or even have her eyes open. 

Begin to see light.

  Just  because some models are willing to be nude in no way means that they should. Nude photography of any genre but especially art nudes is very difficult to do for both the model and the photographer.  The OPs profile says that he wants to focus on portraits and art nudes.  I say that is a very good goal to pursue.

By the way I would just die trying to get dynamic and dramatic clouds in my images like your black and white image.  Thank you Garry for pointing that out.

Keep working hard at it, I think you are on the right track.

Risen Phoenix

Risen Phoenix Photo wrote:
I don't think Garry was being rude or crude at all.  In fact the clouds he captured do show that the  OP does have a proliclivity toward art photography.

A. I never said Garry was being crude.

B. The OP never asked for a critique. He may have appreciated one, but his post asked only for a classification of his work, not a critique. This is important, right?

C. Garry was damning with faint praise. In this case, it was completely uncalled for since the OP didn't ask for a critique. In any case, it's a dick move.

cheshiredave wrote:

A. I never said Garry was being crude.

B. The OP never asked for a critique. He may have appreciated one, but his post asked only for a classification of his work, not a critique. This is important, right?

C. Garry was damning with faint praise. In this case, it was completely uncalled for since the OP didn't ask for a critique. In any case, it's a dick move.

I told him that 2 halfs of 2 of his photos looked artsy

and you appear to want to create some drama out of this

phantom of the light wrote:
I really appreciate the comments as sometimes I feel like my work is little more than snapshots.  Constructive criticism is always the best, as it gives me goals and directions to follow.

Clearly ( despite what others in this thread took it upon themselves to believe ) You are seeking some constrictive criticism

If you sincerely want to elevate your work beyond the level of simply being snapshots I would recommend the following

Decide what genre that you are aiming to master ( that could be Art Nudes in the Desert for example ) and learn what the components of such shots are - Good Lighting ( because if you don't have a picture lit well  -you don't have anything ) Eye Catching  Models who can pose in eye catching ways , how to compose a photograph , and of course - the complimentary background to your model

I am going to use a fashion photo of my own to illustrate what I am talking about with respect to: good lighting ( a nice sunny day in mid winter ) an attractive fashion model posing in an interesting way ( wearing a couture fashion dress I might add )decent composition ( though it could be more dramatic )  and a complimentary background



You can learn some of this on your own but I would recommend taking some specific course and assisting better photographers already working in the genre

phantom of the light wrote:
These are all good points and well taken.  I'm also pleased with the positive responses some of my work is getting.  I DO need to work with more models, but TF is getting really hard to come by.

work with 1 good model and do a good job

TF could get easier as a result

My first photos on MM were of a young Model named Coco Rocha and I did a decent job in photographing her ( if you dont know who she is just google her ) Her subsequent success helped me get a lot of TF over the years