Posted by Fetish Photog on August 25, 2005 at 16:46:47:
In Reply to: Seems like nude beach contri's are down this year. posted by Not trying to start an argument... on August 17, 2005 at 10:22:14:
I'm not sure that everyone here understands how pictures arrive on this site. Cocco and PDust aren't photo editors, passing out assignments and castigating or firing photogs who don't produce. Reality is the diametric opposition: they're completely at the mercy of those relatively few of us who submit pictures. Yes, they do occasionally ask if we can cover some specific event or another and yes, they do occasianally beg for pictures, any pictures, during the slow winter months. But whether or not we cover those events or submit those pictures is totally up to us.
So if you think there aren't enough beach pictures, don't blame cocco and PDust, blame the lazy bastard photographers who aren't out there taking them for you. You know, those lazy bastards who take extreme risks to get those pictures for you. Beach pics are, for the most part, all about hidden cameras and, if you haven't noticed, hidden cameras are becoming felonies in this country. And beach goers have become much more physical and militant in dealing with those caught taking beach pics and beach goers have become more suspicious of those who may be taking pics. All in all, beach photography continues to become more costly in terms of risk and stress and it's only the most highly skilled extreme risk-takers who will continue to be able to take those kind of pictures.
I used to do voyeur work but the risks have become too great for me personally to continue. My own value judgment is that destruction of very expensive equipment, physical peril and potential jail time are not worth a few pictures. For me, it's much more fun and safer to take pictures of people who want me to do so.
So enjoy the beach pictures that do make it here and, if you know anyone who has some good shots, encourage them to submit them.
As far as NAP goes, I personally derive little pleasure from being there. The only challenge to shooting strippers in a barrel are the amateur assholes who step in front of my lenses. That's why I concentrate on the spectators and the contests. My reason for going this year was basic nude photography math: 1,000 photos of a 25% pleasurable event were still better than zero pictures of the 100% pleasurable Little Sturgis event that I couldn't attend the same weekend. In other words, anything is better than nothing.