Friday, June 19, 2009

baring it all

So I have a question but maybe I should explain before I ask. You see, yesterday I was reading about the upcoming 2010 Pirelli calendar. These babies are almost impossible to get your hands on, and are considered collector items. For the past 40 years, Pirelli has hired one international photographer after another to take themed photos of female models. It wasn’t until 1964 that these calendars became famous, but the notoriety lives on with the 2010 calendar being shot by Terry Richardson.

So yesterday I was flipping through some behind the scenes shots from the 2010 calendar photo shoot in Brazil last month. Of course, not surprising, all the models were topless - bare-breasted holding monkeys, dodging waves, riding animals, pouring cream on themselves, and so on.

So my question…

Does it weird you out when you see models so comfortable being photographed topless? I know it is normal in the modeling world to run around naked, but as a viewer, a spectator of the modeling world one might say, what do you think of the topless photo shoot?

18 comments:

diane said...

It's very European. We have a hard time with nudity in the states because our founding fathers were a bunch of hypocritical "puritans", who lopped of native american indian's heads and used them for sport.
In Europe they censor violence heavily and promote healthy sex. It's not uncommon to see a topless girl on a yogurt or shampoo commercial. And most of the women, even grandmothers, swim topless. It's a different culture with a different view. Frankly, I think they've got the right idea.

escapade said...

I don't know - I think Europeans (and people outside of North America) aren't as hung up on nudity. I actually find the photos really beautiful!

escapade said...

that's too funny - I clicked 'publish' and within the minute Diane had wrote the same thing! Diane - I whole-heartedly agree! Why can we see someone being shot on the 6 pm news but go on for months (years) about Janet Jackson's breast? Half the world have them, I'm sure everyone will see them at some point but I hope never to see heavy violence in person.

Oh I do go on... sorry for the rant.. but you get what I mean :)

Unknown said...

I agree, they have the right idea!

Although I can't help thinking... If I looked like that, I wouldn't mind being topless either!

DS said...

Topless and nudity in general doesn't bother me at all. As some have stated perhaps it's a "cultural" thing {Brasilian here}. But, I get that it is for some and I don't think they're any less evolved than I am, it's a cultural thing, and perhaps even a societal one — depending on where you come from. That's the beauty, I think.

It's so funny because while nudity of any kind doesn't bother me, I am mindful when I'm posting photos, so interesting lol.

Silje said...

Hot picture!=)

Aline said...

If I looked anything like Miranda...I wouldn't have a problem with it!

Unknown said...

It's not so much the topless part that bothers me, but what they are doing. No way would a rooster with spurs like that be close to my body a long sleeve shirt in between us! And that lemur (sloth?) picture too. No way would I allow wild animals that close to the Ladies.

Linda Lu said...

diane: i didn't realize that. i grew up in the states and still am. i do find that the europeans are more comfortable with being natural.

Sian said...

Ooh, it's not so comfortable for us British!! Mind you it'd be too cold.. that's true what Diane says about the topless girl's advertising yoghurt for the rest of the continent but not in the UK.

Crystal @ Plush Palate said...

I think she looks comfortable in her own skin and that's beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Nudity doesn't bother me, especially when it makes for creative and beautiful photography. Not to mention these Pirelli girls are all stunning and need not be ashamed of their bodies.

The only thing that makes me uncomfortable is the sight of Terry Richardson frolicking with the models. Sure he produces some excellent, controversial, often shocking work and deserves respect on that account. But as a photographer, and not a particularly aesthetically pleasing one at that, I don't want to see him getting his kicks by cavorting with girls in sexually provocative poses. Gross.

Unknown said...

i think being topless in the modeling world is like being sleeveless in our world. i just am not really into the gritty look of this shoot...i loved the Pirelli calendar so much for 2009.
thanks for sharing!!
xox

sisters in black frocks said...

hmmm. a question i ponder myself. but like many people said above, its just what models do...take off their clothes. maybe its just me but terry's photos are so pervy as well. im no prude, photographers like helmut newton know how to make nudity incredibly tasteful and beautiful, but terry's photos look like low budget porn....but i guess thats the look he's going for. something as classic as the perreli callender needs a more tasteful photographer in my opinion.

Anonymous said...

Our country is a little crazy over nudity. It's so horrible around here. But if they're okay with it, I guess it's ok.

Femstar2000 said...

Honestly, slightly. It sometimes makes me feel uncomfortable, so I avoid putting pictures up on my blog, I guess it depends how it's done sometimes, I think that bobbs are on show just for the sake of it, and that irritates me.

Anonymous said...

I think "Diane" and "A Life More Fabulous" are spot on...and maybe because my parents are European...it seems normal to me.

But I always find it funny...when it comes time for a friend to go pee...my North American friends bolt the bathroom door shut whereas my European friends (male and female) either pee with the door wide open or right in front of you. ;))
nancy

Unknown said...

I do not mind it at all, and she is so beautiful, I would flaunt around all over LOL. I actually did some topless modeling that was artful and tasteful, It was quite freeing actually, .. here I am nothing to hide feeling.
Also I love how Europeans are so relaxed about it. Diane is right they have the right idea for sure.