Very Uncomfortable Situation

[piggiesinpa]

Oh.... well that makes sense and I think that anything asked that requires your fear of privacy or safety issues crosses the line.

 

[samoews]

This whole thing is just wrong! It is not up to a photography teacher to make you 'confront your fears' about nudity! I would do all the things you are thinking about, but if nothing changes, I would just take the F, making sure that he knew exactly why I felt the way I did. Good luck!

 

[CavyHubby]

Don't do it. You are clearly not comfortable with the situation. Do not compromise what makes you you for anyone or anything.(except for maybe love)


Safe Journies
Samuel

 

[Lyndsay]

go tell the principal imediatly

Universities and colleges don't have principals. *laughs out loud*

 

[HowietheGreat]

THey did nude photography at out local community college. Their was a special room for it so it was private, yet surrounded by class rooms so it was safe. They even advertised for student volunteers. I would never photograph myself nude-I do not care if I am thin and people call me pretty (that sounds vain but I really do not mean it that way,) I would still be way to insecure. Nudity doesn't bother me, I just wouldn't want to be exposed myself. Of course tasteful photos can be done-and if anyone can-I know it is you. I love the baby idea-nudity and innocence. Did the professor specify age?

 

[HowietheGreat]

I agree Samuel.

 

[Love4Piggers]

Personally, there's no way I would do this assignment. I am a victim of sexual assault, and have severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and am terrified of the opposite sex. I even insist that all of my doctor's be female, just to avoid being in a room alone with a man.

But even if this was not the case, I would still feel that it would be not only very unsafe, but it would compromise who I am, to be alone with someone I don't know, with one of us nude. I would take that F in a heartbeat.

If you do want to try and complete the assignment, and you are able to find someone willing to work with you, I really like the idea that someone suggested about getting a group of other students from your class together and all doing the assignment together in one place. What they said about there being safety in numbers, usually proves to be true.

Also, Envisionary, your ideas about a baby, or going to the morgue, I think those are both excellent and very unique and creative ideas. If it was me I would probably choose the morgue, because I'm generally very uncomfortable around others, as you said you tend to be as well. So looks like you do have some options, if you decide to go forward with the assignment. But if you decide to take a stand against this whole thing, and take this to the dean, or try and find other classmates to protest with, etc., well, it has to ultimately be your choice.

Just so you know, you have my full support either way, because I know you will do the right thing.

 

[Guinea_Piggin]

I would take an F in a heartbeat and take it up with the dean.

I agree wholeheartedly with this statement. Despite your teacher's, possibly, best intentions, this particular assignment seems wrong on so many levels.

DEFINITELY take this up with the Dean/Director of your school/the department.

 

[Aertyn]

I studied photography in high school, and whilst it was never a requirement to do nudes, I chose to do one for one of my graded works and whilst I am an extremely shy person, I found someone willing to be my model. However, there were no...parts...shown, most of the photographs were either side or back views and the few that were frontal had strategically placed arms/legs/props to cover...parts....To make a full frontal nude a requirement of the photograph I find extremely odd. One doesn't need to border on the side of adult rated imagery to make art, you can make just as much of an impact (and if not more) without that shown.

I can see why you are apprehensive of doing this and would talk to the dean or faculty leader about your fears and why you don't want to do this particular assessment as it is.

 

[JarBax]

As an honours graduate in Art and Design (with a year specific study in life drawing and anatomy), I too have no problems with nudity and the use of nude models in art. However, I too strongly disagree with your tutors choice of assignment. Using a professional model is one thing, but the fine line between professional and personal has been leapt over here. Student insecurities are irrelevant, and it is completely insensitive of your tutor to assign this task, and utterly wrong to hand it out with the threat of a fail if not completed. Giving such strict guidelines is not condusive to free artistic expression - 'nudity' as a subject matter would be an infinitely wiser and less restrictive choice. Students who made the CHOICE could photograph themselves/eachother nude to their hearts content, but to remove the choice is dangerous. I would be surprised, and disappointed if this 'caring' tutor does not receive some kind of disciplinary action.

Edit to add: I know it sounds paranoid, but if you decide to go ahead with the assignment - be very careful to get all kinds of permissions with using a baby to photograph. Another issue altogether, but be aware that the baby has no choice in the matter either.

 

[Susan9608]

Yeah, nude photos of babies are a bad idea. Lately, individuals have be prosecuted for having photos of their babies in the bath tub. Photo labs generally are not allowed to print those ... considered exploitation of miners.

It doesn't matter what a person's sexual orientation is; asking for nude photos of your students is simply inappropriate.

I hope you are brave enough to take this up the chain of command in protest. If you are not, then I hope you will simply not do it. And if you do complete this assignment, then I hope you never have any regrets.

Best of luck to you.

 

[MissCin]

It doesn't matter what a person's sexual orientation is; asking for nude photos of your students is simply inappropriate.

I agree.

 

[envisionary333]

I just want to say thanks to everyone for sharing your opinion. No one else in the class complained, and I was starting to think that I was totally out of line for objecting to it. Now that I've talked with you all, and spoken to my parents and several close friends, I realize that most people don't feel comfortable with this type of project being required to get good grades. I've sent an email out to the rest of the class asking what they thought and whether they are comfortable with it, and only one person responded (there are only eight of us in the class). He said he was fine with it, and has no trouble working with a stranger nude. I think it's different for him, though, since he is a guy. As a young, attractive girl (please don't take that to be vain- I just think it is relevant to the circumstance), I am constantly aware of how guys are trying to take advantage me. I get offers all the time to do "photo shoots," I get lots of crude comments, and I've even had a stalker before. I am very aware of the dangers that are associated with being a female in a vulnerable situation, and I don't take them lightly.

I will be meeting with my teacher on Monday or Tuesday and discussing my concerns with him. If it becomes necessary, I will take an "F" in order to stand up for my beliefs and maintain my self-respect. Thanks for your help and I will keep you updated on what happens.

 

[pigsforlife]

I have not posted on this thread, as I agree with everyone else in that I would take an F in a heartbeat. I have read through each post and think that this is too dangerous, you a risking more than you could possibly gain.

I want to wish you luck, I hope that everything works out well for you and please do keep us posted.

 

[wickedrodent]

I agree with PFL, although Im a perfectionist and would hate lowering my GPA, I too would take the F.

My mother was a victim of sexual assult when she was in college and pregnant with me. Its not something to mess around with. Its a lot better to have a slightly lower grade (probably no lower than a B, since you said you currently have an A) than to be messed up emotionally for life if something did happen.

 

[PiggieMamaKelly]

It bothers me that you should have to take an F on a project because you are not willing to take off your clothes for a stranger and then give naked photos to a teacher. The assignment is WRONG. It doesn't matter if everyone else is comfortable with it. I think making nude photos an OPTION is fine, but forcing it is not okay.

I really think you should find a way to stand up for yourself so that you don't have to do the assignment, and your grades aren't suffering.

 

[envisionary333]

I emailed my teacher today and let him know that I need to discuss the assignment with him. We will be meeting on Tuesday and I will let you know how things go. My dad has asked for the teacher's email since he is very upset about the assignment and concerned for my safety, and he will be sending him a letter. He is very articulate and I trust that he will say the right thing.

Thank you guys so much for helping me through this. I've been pretty distraught over what to do, and I've actually had bad dreams about it. I didn't realize at first how upsetting it is. I'm hoping everything will be sorted out without having to talk to a higher authority over the matter, but I'm willing to do whatever is necessary to respectfully and reasonably protect myself and my rights.

 

[cavyinhawaii]

Does the picture have to be from the front? You might be able to more easily talk someone into taking one from the back.

I have worries about the outside picture- there are laws about indecent exposure. Which means you can't be naked outside. He's asking you to break a law.

The other thing is maybe you could put an ad up, like on campus bulletin board. Pay a small fee for some on to pose naked for a tasteful art project.
That way you don't have to ask someone you know-Akward. Is he going to allow you studio time so you can do a legal professional shot?

He really has not given you enough of a safety net with this project.
I would say I would do it if I had access to a studio and had a willing model.

 

[cavyinhawaii]

(broken link removed)
If you let this ad run for a minute, it has beautiful nudes. None of them can you see anything. I have had a picture taken simular to the pictures seen in the movie calander girls. Where they are nude but holding something just enough to cover the important parts. These are artful.
I don't understand the full nudity.