pulling of photo

[jim kirk jr.]

I'm sure I'm going to get clobbered on this...I noticed that one of tomassauerweins photos(the one with mother and child)
is no longer posted...my question is why?
the woman was no more naked than the one in cook'n...actually she's in a less suggestive pose as well.(basically)
If it's because of the daughter-you can go into a wal-mart and legally breast feed(granted you are clothed)
In my opinion the shot was not pornographic-the child(makes it close but no worse than photos I've seen in mags with a child kissing the belly of someone of who is pregnant.
Or is it a combo of mom(naked) and child

Just want to stir something up...as this is a major art/photography issue in general

 

[Eric Rose]

I thought it was fine too, however not everone shares our opinions. In this age where you can sick the thought police on just about anyone, and ruin the targets lives, even if innocent, it's just not worth it.

 

[jim kirk jr.]

Eric,I must disagree on it's not being worth it.If we allow the state,thought police,the omnipresent "THEY" to dictate every facet of our lives out of fear then very soon photography will be here merely to serve the state.Our opinions are as valid as any other.

 

[Eric Rose]

Ok to be high and mighty from the sidelines. Go ahead and publish a similar picture, draw the ire of the tight asses and fight your way thru court to defend your ideals. Sometimes you just have to retreat. It's better to pick your battles than have them thrust upon you. These days the only place you find freedom, is in the dictionary. As the song goes.

But go ahead, fight the good fight. We will applaud.

 

[bmac]

Why not email Thomas and ask him instead of starting a flame war over something that may or may not have happened. I have posted photos before and then pulled them a short time later because I didn't like the way they looked on the web.

Who knows...

 

[lee]

I always ask myself, "Is this the hill I choose to die on" when confronted in touchy situations such as this.

lee\c

 

[Francesco]

I applaud those who fight all the battles. I think we are all intelligent enough to know what we are doing when we post pictures. Taste and morals are so subjective BUT I believe we have a preconception of how are pictures will be received. Unless we live in the boondocks we are aware of what is provocative and what is not. The question is not "does it really matter" but whether "will it matter to ONE person". In any case, I thought the picture was Dali-esque and fun.

 

[Aggie]

Go to any museum with paintings from the middle ages. What you see in some of those paintings is a lot worse than Thomas'es. I think he should have it posted again. Maybe put a little symbol on the thumbnail that it is mature in content. Then those who wish not to see it can pass on such things. Thomas is an excellent photographer and treats his models with respect.

 

[Flotsam]

If that photo is obscene, then they might as well just make it illegal for women to breastfeed their children. Thomas' work is always in the finest taste.

 

[Thomassauerwein]

I did not mean to create a stir, once I had put the image up I thought about the ramifications. That combined with the fact that the image lacked tecknical quality (one of my lights did not fire). It was just a fun in the moment image that could have been beautiful but as it turned out I did not have the guts to stand by it. I appreciate the comments and will repost if you want but not without some hesitation.

 

[clogz]

Thomas, Don't hesitate and just post it.

 

[jim kirk jr.]

I agree with everyone who believes in the "choose your battles" and live to fight another day philosophy-but we're all on this site for the same general reasons:learn,share knowledge,have fun,get juices flowing about a passion we all share.I think it should be posted again(if Thomas wishes to)I agree with Aggie-it was in good taste and if others disagree-that's their right and are entitled to it.just as everyone has the right to view the image or not.

 

[Flotsam]

I don't think that picture would offend anyone here. It never occured to me that it was anything but a natural, impromptu moment with a touch of the humor that you often incorporate into your work. I'd wager that any of the women that I know who breastfed their children would laugh out loud at the situation of having a modellng shoot interrupted by an insistant child. It would probably get howls at a La Leche League meeting.
That being said, the internet is a big crazy place with plenty of self-righteous people anxious to demonstrate their imagined moral superiority. I'd probably just avoid any possible hassles, however remote. It's your call.

 

[Thomassauerwein]

Thanks for all the comments for this image. My missed opportunity is a lession learned. Always double check everything(even "in the moment") Had the image turned out the way it was supposed to I would have stood behind it. As it is I have doubts and would prefer to keep it as referance for the future.