Jen B wrote:
Warn people that they are going to be looking at an 18+ album for starters, then let them know there will be various states of erections in there too. Please and thanks! I think I've forgotten to state 18+ before when posting a mature album too, so it happens, I understand.
. . .
Jen

Nick S82 wrote:
Thank you Jen.

All of the models I work with are over 18

https://www.modelmayhem.com/help/rules
https://www.modelmayhem.com/help/rules/images

Mature Elements (18+)
The following represent image elements that are allowed on Model Mayhem but must be marked "M" by their owners. These images must also follow the Model Mayhem's Worksafe rule.

- female nipple or areola
- bare buttocks (thong or not)
- bare penises that appear to be flaccid
- pubic area (whether hair is present or not)
- implied sexual activity
- bondage
- depictions of blood
- depictions of violence
- depictions of drug use
- see-through or semi-transparent clothing or body paint which shows any of the above
- profanity
- promiscuous llamas

Prohibited Elements
The following represent image elements types that are NEVER allowed to be posted on Model Mayhem.

- nude or implied nude shots of persons under the age of 18
- spread shots (vaginal or anal. Typically this is when fingers are used to spread, but other instances may be inappropriate as well.)
- penises, covered or not, that do not appear to be flaccid
- explicit sexual content
- any and all penetration of vagina or anus
- shots that emphasize primarily the genitals or anus
- shots with bodily fluids (referenced in a sexual / fetish manner)

Moderators and administrators will consider factors including, but not limited to, framing, composition, surroundings, and total effect.

Rob Photosby wrote:
You seem to use on-camera flash a lot but I am not a big fan of the resultant lighting and shadows.

You are still using on-camera flash.

Also, you should edit your original post to include the +18 warning.

Howard Tarragon wrote:
You need to read, watch videos on lighting, posing, composition and how lenses can distort features . Sorry to say, there's not one picture that looks like more than a snapshot. The environment also effects how the shots look. Standing on an unmade bed just looks amateur on non-photographer.

Really, study up on photography.

Just my 2p.

Thank you

Mark Salo wrote:
You are still using on-camera flash.

So did Helmut Newton and Peter Gowland. So do Henrik Purrience, Testino, and quite a few other people. A lot of people think on-camera flash can't look good, or it can only do the Terry Richardson celebrity-shoot look. This is quite wrong. (Amusing so when you consider that most shots with studio flash on MM are awful..)

However, this is not great on-camera flash.

The OP should try keeping the on-camera flash down to less than 50% of the exposure (maybe by using a second flash for wall bounce) and gelling. And try the mounting the flash close to the lens axis for some shots and above the model's eye-level for others.

Art Hermetic wrote:
Your new duo shoots are among your most interesting work. I assume that a lot of your photography aims for a simple, snap style rather than artistic nude, so no point in talking about technique.

Disagree!

...Getting snapshot style to look right is bloody hard. Well, unless, possibly, you use one of those film cameras that does a lot of the work for you, especially if you use negative film. The combination of a flash very close to the axis, TTL off the film strip, and the roll-off you get from film really help, if your camera's flash system is first-rate. And even then you need skill - pros who shoot this style with film try to stay to just one film and one camera model so the quirks and tuning don't vary. Usually they're final generation 35mm premium compacts with sonnar design lenses.

thiswayup wrote:
Disagree!

...Getting snapshot style to look right is bloody hard. Well, unless, possibly, you use one of those film cameras that does a lot of the work for you, especially if you use negative film. The combination of a flash very close to the axis, TTL off the film strip, and the roll-off you get from film really help, if your camera's flash system is first-rate. And even then you need skill - pros who shoot this style with film try to stay to just one film and one camera model so the quirks and tuning don't vary. Usually they're final generation 35mm premium compacts with sonnar design lenses.

Good grief, another troll who wants to critique others rather than the person asking for a critique. Perhaps you should address the OP and give your view on the homoeroticism-- Platt Lynes?

Art Hermetic wrote:
Your new duo shoots are among your most interesting work. I assume that a lot of your photography aims for a simple, snap style rather than artistic nude, so no point in talking about technique. But your duo shots have a life to them and capture a sense of contact between the models, especially the bed shot.
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/44095783

Thank you for the feedback, much appreciated

Abbitt Photography wrote:
With your current portfolio, I’d pick a different avatar and also cut your portfolio so you have fewer similar images.   Next, I’d try to expand on your lighting, background, poses, etc. to create more interest and variety.    I don’t think there’s anything wrong with focusing on male nudes, but I think you could diversify and grow from what you have been doing so far. 

All the best. .....

Thanks for the feedback, very much appreciated

Art Hermetic wrote:

Good grief, another troll who wants to critique others rather than the person asking for a critique. Perhaps you should address the OP and give your view on the homoeroticism-- Platt Lynes?

Some people are like that ...all talk with very little to back it up.

Mark Salo wrote:
You are still using on-camera flash.

I use on camera flash often. His problem is that he doesn't know what to do with it. His lighting is flat.

Jorge Kreimer wrote:
Your lighting is flat, and your surfaces look ugly.

Get a book on lighting and practice a few setups.

Look at the work of Richard Kern. With some technique, you could do an equivalent to what he does with women.

Thank you

Jack Saul Photography wrote:
Added a couple of new sets today, expanding on a few concepts that seem to have gone down reasonably well

Until I looked at the number of views each image had tallied, I couldn't tell which images were the new ones.

What concepts did you expand upon?

DCurtis wrote:
I like this image of Elvis, his face and torso (18+) https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/45033046 But his arms and hands kinda bother me.

One way around this is to have the model hold his arms behind his back.

Thank you, that's a very interesting point

Jack Saul Photography wrote:
Huge revamp of the portfolio, feedback on the images selected much appreciated

What's the revamp, other than adding the same flat, poorly-lighted pics of different models? Honestly, other than the number of views each image has, I can't tell your old stuff from the new.

Colin Anthony wrote:
Jack

You might want to look at Robert Maplethorpe's male nudes. They are semi erotic or all out erotica!
He's applying good technique to male erotica.

http://www.mapplethorpe.org/portfolios/male-nudes/

Also, have a look at John Swannell's book "Fine Lines". That's mostly female but you could get some lighting and composition ideas from it and apply those to the male form

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fine-Lines-Joh … 0704323230

I noted that some others have recommended using a longer, or telephoto lens and I would agree with them. Getting them looking correct before going off piste and looking distorted.

Plan the shoot, restrict yourself to an idea. Discuss that with the subject. Try things out.

Crack on mate. YouTube is your friend when it comes to composition rules and lighting techniques

I hope you find some value in these words

Colin

Thank you Colin, your advice is hugely appreciated.

All the best!