#1 February 5th, 2006 01:32 AM

artist_delila

Member

hello hello... new here

I figured I would post a little "hello" and introduction. I am kind of nervous posting here, especially since I woke up to my porfolio going up this morning and seeing the nasty comments that were written (I am all for constructive criticism, but, man, way to make someone feel welcome, especially someone who is taking their clothes off and trying to artistically express themselves for others).
I am Delilah, 24, an ex- dancer (now bartender), student, model, and most importantly a mother. I started nude modeling as a way to come to terms with the changes in my body from my pregancy, and it has given me the opportunity to feel confident about myself, and that I do not have to still be un-healthy and skeleton thin anymore. I have grown to love the curves I never had before.
I love how this site allows women to artistically show off their self-confidence.
keep up the wonderful work, ladies.

thylacine

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

I figured I would post a little "hello" and introduction. I am kind of nervous posting here, especially since I woke up to my porfolio going up this morning and seeing the nasty comments that were written (I am all for constructive criticism, but, man, way to make someone feel welcome, especially someone who is taking their clothes off and trying to artistically express themselves for others).
I am Delilah, 24, an ex- dancer (now bartender), student, model, and most importantly a mother. I started nude modeling as a way to come to terms with the changes in my body from my pregancy, and it has given me the opportunity to feel confident about myself, and that I do not have to still be un-healthy and skeleton thin anymore. I have grown to love the curves I never had before.
I love how this site allows women to artistically show off their self-confidence.
keep up the wonderful work, ladies.

I'm afraid that there always are a few moronic dickheads who don't think how their comments might affect the artist. But don't worry, when the ISM staff wake up they'll delete the few negative comments and you'll see lots of positive stuff the next time you come back!

artist_delila

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

thank you for your response... i know not everyone may like the photos, and constructive criticism is always welcome by me, but its kind of a slap in the face coming on to read those as first comments, especially when nobody is perfect, and we are all here to share our art with others... oh well, one persons junk is another persons treasure! (for lack of a better cliche)

thank you for making me feel welcome!

catt

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

thank you for your response... i know not everyone may like the photos, and constructive criticism is always welcome by me, but its kind of a slap in the face coming on to read those as first comments, especially when nobody is perfect, and we are all here to share our art with others... oh well, one persons junk is another persons treasure! (for lack of a better cliche)

thank you for making me feel welcome!

Delila, I echo thylacine - ignore those morons who feel securely anon enough to make jabs without forethought.  I found your folio to be brave, evocative and fascinating.  If you ever strived to please everyone, you'd be pleasing everyone but yourself. 

xxCattxx

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the beauty of simplicity is the complexity it attracts.

mzungu

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

Delilah,  I'm so glad that you wrote here- I rarely read the comments, and did not know about the lame-brains who so crassly began them!   I think your shoot was amazing, the lighting and comp on so many is terrific, and your expressions hauntingly beautiful!  So there- and, by the way I love your tattoo- mind you, this is from someone who generally much prefers the "bushy look" as it were, and I’m a little out of date with the hardware decoration, but I STILL find your parts very appealing and very thoughtfully and well photographed!  So there.   Keep it up and thanks!

blissed

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

Yeah, I concur with the general feeling about those comments and most of what I've got to say about it is in another thread. And I'm sorry your folio has collided with those people because even if I didn't find them rude, I still disagree, and though I'm not a big fan of tattoos, I think 39 is a pleasing photo. I really like your piercings.( i do like peircings though, you can never have too many:)) Anyway I think whatever changes there's been in your body from being pregnant your still attractive and your body is still sexually arousing and  aesthetically pleasing. I love the detailed soft texture of the skin above your nipple in 128 and as it happens you have produced a standout shot. (below) It would be good in B/W as well. In fact I think those last 11 shots work really well. If you wanted too, for your next folio you could try that mood again with a second light source as well. Say 2 reading lamps. (You can see I don't really know that much about actually taking photos), is that an ordinary room light or is it a bright one that's specially used for photography? Well I think your work is fine and in places it's good especially towards the end there. I think it's a nice first folio.

eGomer

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

Delila,

After reading your note above, I went back to your folio, read the comments you had received, then I studied the folio again. 

I entered a comment on both your folio, and the comments it elicited... then I added another comment because I thought of something else I wanted to say to you.

And here I am speaking to you once again.

I won't repeat the points I made in the comments here, but I wanted to direct you to them...

By the way, I'm glad you spoke up about how you felt by creating this thread, and I'm also glad that you didn't allow the sting of the comments to overwhelm your otherwise positive feelings about ISM and the whole experience.

I would never deny that I take great pleasure in looking at pictures of unclothed beautiful young women and seeing inventive, beautiful art work... but there is so much more to the pleasure I take in ISM: Day after day I am awed by the courage and generosity of the ISM contributers like you, and I am moved and inspired. And day after day I see that same sentiment expressed by others, both in the comments and in the forum.

So I hope you know that both your work and the acts of creating it and sharing it with us had an impact... an impact which probably extended all over this planet.

jdudley76

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

The comments in question were deleted before I saw your folio. I can't, for the life of me, imagine anything negative anyone could say about it though. I thought it was beautifully shot, and your body is certainly nothing to complain about! ;o) I'm really glad to see that you didn't give those comments any more thought than they deserved. I'm doublely glad you came and posted on the forums as well. Having contributors here on the forums not only adds a tremendous amout to the forums, but also to their folios as well, in my opinion. I truely hope you stick around and contribute again, not only with more folios, but on the forums as well.

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"This foreign policy stuff is a little frustrating."   - George W. Bush, as quoted by the New York Daily News, April 23, 2002

Belgareth

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

thank you for your response... i know not everyone may like the photos, and constructive criticism is always welcome by me, but its kind of a slap in the face coming on to read those as first comments, especially when nobody is perfect, and we are all here to share our art with others... oh well, one persons junk is another persons treasure! (for lack of a better cliche)

thank you for making me feel welcome!

I'm sorry I was a little slow in responding to your initial posting. I can only reiterate the comments of the the others in this forum. I thought that your folio was well presented, well shot and that you displayed yourself in an erotic but very tasteful fashion. You are right to object to the thoughtless comments which were made. It is clear that they did not reflect to opinions of the majority of people in this forum nor, I suspect, the silent members and contributors. Thank you for your initial folio and please keep up the good work.

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[color="Red"]require "help.pl";[/color]

liandra_dahl

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

I figured I would post a little "hello" and introduction. I am kind of nervous posting here, especially since I woke up to my porfolio going up this morning and seeing the nasty comments that were written (I am all for constructive criticism, but, man, way to make someone feel welcome, especially someone who is taking their clothes off and trying to artistically express themselves for others).
I am Delilah, 24, an ex- dancer (now bartender), student, model, and most importantly a mother. I started nude modeling as a way to come to terms with the changes in my body from my pregancy, and it has given me the opportunity to feel confident about myself, and that I do not have to still be un-healthy and skeleton thin anymore. I have grown to love the curves I never had before.
I love how this site allows women to artistically show off their self-confidence.
keep up the wonderful work, ladies.

Ok I joined this too late to see the offending comments but I love the fact you have a picture of lips on your rear end...as if to anticiapte them and say..."KISS MY ARSE"

SCSIgirl

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

Ok I joined this too late to see the offending comments but I love the fact you have a picture of lips on your rear end...as if to anticiapte them and say..."KISS MY ARSE"

I've tried that but I just can't limit myself to kissing only.  When confronted with a cute set of buns,  my tongue  (see avatar) just gets out of control......

In fact,  you Ms Dahl, make me trip over my tongue......

---

"Apple of my Eye", "bated breath", "brave new world", "caught red-handed" - all coined by Shakespeare.

catt

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

I've tried that but I just can't limit myself to kissing only.  When confronted with a cute set of buns,  my tongue  (see avatar) just gets out of control......

In fact,  you Ms Dahl, make me trip over my tongue......

Speaking of your avatar, am somewhat glad you changed it hon - your old one (for some inexplicable reason) made me think of an image from a crime scene folio.

xxCattxx

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the beauty of simplicity is the complexity it attracts.

Head

Administrator

Re: hello hello... new here

To put things in perspective, the comments were not about Delila, but about her metalwork.  The first comment was offensive in that it made certain presumptions about Delilah, and it was an immature thing to post, and while insulting to the artist it wasn't what I would call a direct insult. The second was a "me too" followed by a compliment.  I'm not defending the authors of the comments and they were deleted as being tasteless, but the posts here would give the impression that an ISM member had intentionally slammed an artist, and that's not what happened.

eGomer

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

To put things in perspective, the comments were not about Delila, but about her metalwork.  The first comment was offensive in that it made certain presumptions about Delilah, and it was an immature thing to post, and while insulting to the artist it wasn't what I would call a direct insult. The second was a "me too" followed by a compliment.  I'm not defending the authors of the comments and they were deleted as being tasteless, but the posts here would give the impression that an ISM member had intentionally slammed an artist, and that's not what happened.

Yes, I think it is good to put the nature of the comments into context, particularly since they're gone. One could get the idea that the comments were really hostile or cruel, which I think would be an overstatement. I agree with your assessment of them... that they were not insults and were not intended to be hurtful, and yet they were immature and thoughtless of the feelings of the submitter.

And I want to take things a bit further and stir up the pot a bit.

To put things into context. the bad boys did not ridicule the size, shape, color, or appearance of any part of Delila's physical body, or anything about her which was natural and which she was given by god and did not choose for herself. To have done so would have been intolerable.

Just to be the Devil's Advocate on behalf of the two rascals, Delila has consciously chosen a provocative, in-your-face style, a style which is bound to grab people's attention, and to evoke reactions and opinions. I think Delila herself would agree with this assessment. Times change and styles change, but even today multiple labial piercings are not commonplace. Delila made a statement first by getting the piercings, and another when she photographed them, close up, and submitted them to ISM to be posted on the web.

In a way, finding oneself face to face with a high-resolution macro close-up of a pussy with multiple piercings and pretending not to react to it is kind of disingenuous and false... like carrying on a polite conversation and ignoring the elephant in the corner.

So what might be an honest yet respectful reaction to the piercings? Surely saying that the piercings were attractive or interesting or hot would have been fine. Acknowledging that the sight was unusual and unique and foreign would probably be acceptable, and might even have pleased Delila... I guess choosing silence, or a comment on some other aspect of the photo, would have been better than any expressions of a less than positive reaction to the peircings. So we're back to a kind of blandness which I don't think is consistent with Delila's style or attitude.

I guess my point is that when a submitter makes deliberate choices to have an eye-catching appearance which flaunts a defiance of convention, people will react to that... some with cheers of encouragement, and others with expressions revealing their discomfort.

I applaud Delila's courage and confidence as demonstrated by her choices and her individuality (not to mention her courage in submitting a folio consistent with her style). And I also applaud the atmosphere of support and protection she received here in the forum.

But I don't think Delila or anyone else should be very surprised or shocked that her style evoked awkward comments which revealed discomfort with it.

And I think people who take pride in flaunting convention need to be prepared with skin thick enough to deflect the petty persecutions of small-minded people who can't handle what they're about.

Anyway, this has all been good I think.

roxxie

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

I think you're fabulous, and all the important people know that you're fabulous, so screw those losers!

SCSIgirl

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

Speaking of your avatar, am somewhat glad you changed it hon - your old one (for some inexplicable reason) made me think of an image from a crime scene folio.

xxCattxx

Actually I was going to go back to it eventually.  It is a photo of the real Scuzzy Girl in a rare state of repose  (Too many drugs and Rock N Roll the night before.)  The current one is of my first daughter, Aimee.  It is the 10th year since her passing and I am celebrating her.  I miss her dearly.

---

"Apple of my Eye", "bated breath", "brave new world", "caught red-handed" - all coined by Shakespeare.

artist_allegra

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

Hey there Delila!

I'm not going to comment on how people have put you, as well as other models, down, except to say 'screw them', because I have had negative feedback also, and I ended up fighting back, telling them to leave the site if they are expecting professional photographers and perfect models on the site (even though we are all beautiful anyway!). I would rather say that your reason for becoming an ISM model is a great one; to realise your body is gorgeous with post-baby curves rather than being bony and skinny. I too am a mother, with a 9-week old baby boy, and I love my body so much more than before I became pregnant. I was underweight, and very bony, as you can see in my shoots. Now, when I compare photos of me pre-baby, and now, post-baby, I look so much healthier and happier! Sorry to go on about myself, I must seem very conceited and pretentious! I just wanted to congratulate you on being a mother, a strong woman, courageous for standing up for yourself, as well as expressing yourself as a beautiful woman on the site. And I do love your shoot by the way! Take care sweetie!

xox ~Allegra~ xox

liandra_dahl

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

Hey there Delila!

I'm not going to comment on how people have put you, as well as other models, down, except to say 'screw them', because I have had negative feedback also, and I ended up fighting back, telling them to leave the site if they are expecting professional photographers and perfect models on the site (even though we are all beautiful anyway!). I would rather say that your reason for becoming an ISM model is a great one; to realise your body is gorgeous with post-baby curves rather than being bony and skinny. I too am a mother, with a 9-week old baby boy, and I love my body so much more than before I became pregnant. I was underweight, and very bony, as you can see in my shoots. Now, when I compare photos of me pre-baby, and now, post-baby, I look so much healthier and happier! Sorry to go on about myself, I must seem very conceited and pretentious! I just wanted to congratulate you on being a mother, a strong woman, courageous for standing up for yourself, as well as expressing yourself as a beautiful woman on the site. And I do love your shoot by the way! Take care sweetie!

xox ~Allegra~ xox

You dont sound conceited and pretensious at all, just one Mum offering her support to another...a most valuable thing. I'm an ISM artist Mum too...perhaps we should form a club...and your absolutely right, it is really important that Mum's embrace their post baby bodies happily, proudly, and defiantly if necesaary.

artist_allegra

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

Hey Liandra, I think that's a great idea...What do you think Delila...? Hehe, lets organise it!

xox ~Allegra~ xox

jdudley76

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

"Sexy mums of ISM"

You should make a calendar. ;o)

---

"This foreign policy stuff is a little frustrating."   - George W. Bush, as quoted by the New York Daily News, April 23, 2002

artist_delila

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

thank you everyone for your kind words and encouragement... sometimes it is difficult to understand the context sometimes, considering there are many different cultures/ dialects, so wording CAN be misconstrued... luckily things were cleared up, and i feel much better and welcome, knowing there are many people supporting the artists of the site...
it is unfortunate that there are artists on here that have recieved flack, i would hope that constructive criticism (i would love to know what i could do better as far as lighting, etc... and it is nice to hear from other artists how to better myself to make my photos more enjoyable)...
again, i would like to thank all of you who have responded with positive comments and helpful information...
this is such a wonderful community filled with so many talented, intelligent individuals... i am very glad i can share my work here!

artist_allegra

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

Hey jdudley76, a calender sounds good....would be nice to arrange it!

And Delila, no, thank you for being who you are! You are the talented and intelligent individual! Thank you for your magnificent work! Stay strong!

xox ~Allegra~ xox

alisha_x

Member

Re: hello hello... new here

just to reiterate my thoughts:

Ive got 12 piercings and two tatts and no one has mentioned them at all, let alone made bad comments, you musta just got a few morons that morning, I havent seen that kinda attitude from anyone else so dont let it put you off hun your welcome at ISM and your mods are lovely

As you've prob guessed from the replies to the forum post, the childish comments were the exception not the rule, Im glad you now have the positive feedback you deserve for being bold enough to put yourself out there and on ISM

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Kisses,

Alisha

Xxx

http://www.alishax.com