Despite the subject line above, I don’t actually believe that I am all that misunderstood, or that I’m completely missing the mark with my work, but I wanted to share the following critique from Matt Miller with those of you who do not frequent Net-Model, as although I don’t agree with everything he said about the photo below, he does get awfully close to everything that I am trying to portray / evoke with the picture, after absolutely zero prompting from me – frankly I hardly know the guy…
Low Key Art Nudes - Sam

“Maleghast

I have been thinking about this one today for some time, Its quite disturbing and I have been trying to think how I can put the why into words … it’s a theme of unease that permeates much of your work … I like it in the same way I like anything that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up

I’ll get the constructive out of the way first as there is really nothing to say … the single brutal light source, just enhances the disturbing qualities … just a small hot spot on the upper arm betrays what otherwise appears to be a very carefully crafted image …

So why is it disturbing? Well firstly it’s the stiff aggressive pose, in a dead centre uncompromising composition … this is contradicted by the models exposed naked body, the viewer is already back footed … She should be vulnerable but she’s not, instead she projects authority, She stares at the viewer but her eyes are hidden in shadow, they like her expression cannot be read … she takes everything but gives nothing … despite the blatant exposed nudity this is not a sexual or even a sexy image and it should never be confused with an art nude …
This image is about power projection …
The image is so carefully balanced the slightest change would change the entire dynamic of the image … if the model for a moment looked away or relaxed it would tell an entirely different story …
Bold and dangerous … just my cup of tea … “

I just want to take this opportunity to thank Matt for taking the time to give me real feedback and for trying to unravel the meaning at the heart of this image, and in so-doing giving me a lot more confidence to carry on, to continue my journey of discovery that is my pursuit of my art.

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EOT