View Full Version : Photos of Pregnancy
I couldn't find a thread that seemed appropriate for pregnancy photos. This is not exactly a portrait.
There must be others who do some LF pregnancy stuff. Let's see some.
Taken with Korona 8x10 on HP4+. Printed on Ilford MGWT, thiocarbamide toner.
I found another one from a couple of years ago. This was taken with my Crown Graphic and printed on Ilford MGWT.
Kevin Crisp
10-Sep-2010, 14:12
I know there is a market for a photos like this, but I have to say the first time I saw one I wondered who would really want one. And what they would do with it if they did. I don't mean to put down anyone who takes these for pay to satisfy the apparent wide demand, or anyone who executes the idea well, which clearly has been done here.
To me, this is the cliche that stepped up right behind the one that involved the contrasty, muscled father of the newborn, cradling his little baby in his hands or arms. It was striking the very first time I saw it done, interesting the next couple times I saw it, but after about the 10th time, it definitely became an "oh one of those" kind of picture.
Even an "oh one of those" picture can have special significance to the parties in it, or who hired someone to make it. But a third trimester thread of them for general consideration?
Well thanks Kevin. You have very thoroughly put me in my place. You find photos of pregnant bellies yawn-inducing. They couldn't possibly be of interest to anyone outside the family. Seen one seen them all.
How about photos of Yosemite, or Bodie, or Point Lobos; photos of trees, or flowers, or cottony misty water; photos of bridges, or skyscapers, or guys with lived-in faces?There is some very samey stuff on this site. There are lots of photo cliches. Those who are learning try to emulate the work of others. Those with some proficiency work at finding their own voice. The masters of the art and craft have a vision, their work is astounding no matter how trite the subject matter might seem. I'm still working at getting some proficiency.
I like the pregnant figure. I photograph lots of pregnant women. I'd like to see how other photographers approach the fecund female shape. I would much rather look at a photo of a pregnant woman than the T&A "portraits" that skirt soft-core porn. Much as I dislike those titillating photographs, I'd never think of suggesting they don't belong here. I just move past the ones I don't like to see if the next photograph will be one that will inspire me.
P.S. Kevin - don't ever visit my webpage. It's got lots and lots of pregnant women, and even worse - babies!
Kevin Crisp
17-Sep-2010, 07:35
Sly: I got your personal message through the forum and have responded to it, privately. I did not realize that my reply to your post was in fact responding to something you had posted publicly on the forum. Apparently it is possible to use the private message function to point out to someone that you have posted something of an "oh yeah?" nature that you want them to look at.
I am not going to get into a public back and forth with you, for reasons I think I covered already.
I wish you continued success with your work. And I do find babies much more interesting after they are born, so no warning was necessary.
Seems to me that the same artistic considerations of nudes, i.e. gradations of light, textures, form apply here. I like them and there is nothing to say because Weston or Stieglitz did nudes, that a different photographer can't find something different to say. Perhaps it is a question of what do individuals see beauty in.
Regards
Bill
BrianShaw
17-Sep-2010, 09:10
I didn't know that this genre was so contraversial!
I like them. I must admit, though, that Kevin has a point when he says that the compositions sometimes are repetative. But having been on the "other side" of pregnancy I somehow see the individuality in most of these types of images.
My admiration goes to women who are confident enough to be photographed in the full glory of a pregnant body. It is a very memorable part of the life experience!
Harold_4074
17-Sep-2010, 13:08
Those who are learning try to emulate the work of others.
As we say in the Deep South, "Amen to that."
There are an awful lot of folks who can't do it as well, but somehow think that they could do it even better if they only wanted to.
Emil Schildt
17-Sep-2010, 15:43
...
To me, this is the cliche that stepped up right behind the one that involved the contrasty, muscled father of the newborn, cradling his little baby in his hands or arms. It was striking the very first time I saw it done, interesting the next couple times I saw it, but after about the 10th time, it definitely became an "oh one of those" kind of picture.
...
then the challenge would be for us photographers, to try and make images beyond that clichee? Like all other "well documented" topics....
I do understand you, but I don't understand, why so many photographers doesn't seem to see other things than "the usual", when making a clichee topic.
(pregnancy/nudes(!!)/birds/roses(!!!!!) and so on).
I have made a LOT of pregnancy images - I like the challenge, and the beauty of the mother(s) to be...
some examples:
Diane Maher
17-Sep-2010, 15:44
They are well done. I think they look painful. But I am not a mother.
Emil Schildt
17-Sep-2010, 15:49
a few more before bedtime...
Thanks for posting those Gandolfi - it's work like yours I have in mind when I think of a master photographer.
I've been taking photos of pregnant women for years, but only recently have I tried to move up to LF from MF and 35mm. It's so much easier to take photos of stationary objects with LF. I'm finding it a big challenge to get wonderful non-cliche LF shots. The need to have the camera on a tripod tends to make me think too statically. I'm hoping that seeing the work of others will help me pre-visualize and think out-side the box a bit better.
Emil Schildt
18-Sep-2010, 03:39
Thanks for posting those Gandolfi - it's work like yours I have in mind when I think of a master photographer.
I've been taking photos of pregnant women for years, but only recently have I tried to move up to LF from MF and 35mm. It's so much easier to take photos of stationary objects with LF. I'm finding it a big challenge to get wonderful non-cliche LF shots. The need to have the camera on a tripod tends to make me think too statically. I'm hoping that seeing the work of others will help me pre-visualize and think out-side the box a bit better.
thanks - check out my "evil" twin (yes, I have one..).
He is not making it in LF, but mostly in MF, but still there should be something to see...
He uses humour as his favourite "weapon", and I like that a lot...
his website: http://web.me.com/andersschildt/photography/welcome.html
pregnancy: http://web.me.com/andersschildt/ku_du_t%C3%A6nke_dig.../Media/slideshow.html?backgroundColor=rgb(0%2C%200%2C%200)&reflectionHeight=100&reflectionOffset=2&captionHeight=100&fullScreen=0&transitionIndex=2
Steve M Hostetter
18-Sep-2010, 19:25
then the challenge would be for us photographers, to try and make images beyond that clichee? Like all other "well documented" topics....
I do understand you, but I don't understand, why so many photographers doesn't seem to see other things than "the usual", when making a clichee topic.
(pregnancy/nudes(!!)/birds/roses(!!!!!) and so on).
I have made a LOT of pregnancy images - I like the challenge, and the beauty of the mother(s) to be...
some examples:
These are great! That second one is the best! That Beelzebub gets all the action
Here is my oldest 4x5 pregnancy shot. It is a self portrait done during my 1st pregnancy. (I'm a grandmother now). Unfortunately the negative has gone missing over the years - though the boring, bad ones have survived.
I had to sell my cameras and darkroom when the kids were little and finances were tight. It's only in recent years I've returned to LF. A great place to be.
Emil Schildt
24-Sep-2010, 07:14
Here is my oldest 4x5 pregnancy shot. It is a self portrait done during my 1st pregnancy. (I'm a grandmother now). Unfortunately the negative has gone missing over the years - though the boring, bad ones have survived.
I had to sell my cameras and darkroom when the kids were little and finances were tight. It's only in recent years I've returned to LF. A great place to be.
nice unpretentious image.
You look comptable in the situation.
Good the image is stil here..
Ramiro Elena
24-Sep-2010, 07:30
You've already seen these in the portraits thread but since there's an specific one for pregnancy photos, I'll post again (sorry.)
These were taken for ourselves. I tried to escape the conventional look of pregnancy photos. I must say it is quite difficult!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/5008687332_a33dd519cb_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5005243339_954b731e9b_b.jpg
Next, I'll try something less staged with a Speed Graphic.
Ramiroelena, I particularly like the second one. I've got a pregnancy shoot planned for this weekend. It's really tough to get away from the usual, but I'll try.
ImSoNegative
24-Sep-2010, 13:39
thanks everyone for these posts they are all beautiful, I wish i had something to share in LF, maybe soon i will have, thanks again i have really enjoyed looking at the images.
This baby is now 1 and 1/2. This was taken with my Korona 8x10, gum over pt/pd. I'm fairly happy with it, but still have sp much more to learn.
These are great! That second one is the best! That Beelzebub gets all the action
Gee, I thought that was probably pregnant virgin Mary and that winged person was the angel that explained things to Mary and Joseph.
Such religious themes (and classical themes) are sometimes cliches from many other times in history. This includes the crucifiction and classical photography popularized by F Holland Day but is really just a continuation of a popular theme in all art forms. For a look at how religious stuff gets recycled over time, pick up Phaedon Press's "The Last Supper", or any book on understanding symbolism.
Back to the topic. Pregnancy photos are a good thing if you like doing them and the recipients probably likes them even more.
Steve M Hostetter
15-Oct-2010, 06:34
Gee, I thought that was probably pregnant virgin Mary and that winged person was the angel that explained things to Mary and Joseph.
Such religious themes (and classical themes) are sometimes cliches from many other times in history. This includes the crucifiction and classical photography popularized by F Holland Day but is really just a continuation of a popular theme in all art forms. For a look at how religious stuff gets recycled over time, pick up Phaedon Press's "The Last Supper", or any book on understanding symbolism.
Back to the topic. Pregnancy photos are a good thing if you like doing them and the recipients probably likes them even more.
sorry but "for me" the image of a dark male figure with wings screams " Incubus" ..
maybe my mind just isn't right:D
That could well be incubus too. I could well see how the shadows would allude to that.
I didn't figure on Incubus going after already pregnant ladies as it's purpose was to impregnate.
Don't worry; none of our minds are right.
Steve M Hostetter
15-Oct-2010, 08:37
yes but the pregnant subjects position (spread eagle) twards the dark angle might also indicate that the dark angel has performed his duty and is leaving..:)
or maybe the ritual of the Incubus is to return to see if he had success in the endeavor
Just like on the other hand I photographed a nude male spread eagle w/ a boner twards a" pregnant female dark angle "that it might indicate he had sex with the "imaginary" Succubus
Steve M Hostetter
16-Oct-2010, 08:47
I bet you beileve the earth is 6000 years old cause the "goodbook" told you so?:D
LMFAO
Here are 2 more of my LF pregnancy shots.
One's a gum bichromate from an 8x10 neg
The other a print on MGWT from a 4x5 neg
Ramiro Elena
26-Nov-2010, 02:12
A few days left.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5206044569_ab14fd6bea_z.jpg
Speed Graphic with a 8'' Pentac wide open.
She's looking beautiful. Best wishes for a wonderful birth and healthy child. I look forward to seeing baby pictures when you've got the time to post them.
SteveKarr
26-Nov-2010, 23:46
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/c0304051f7.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/f89790f008.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)
two takes ... 1 belly
Armin Seeholzer
27-Nov-2010, 04:26
Steve the first one is very nice the 2. one is for my to far away for to be intimate!
Cheers Armin
Ramiro Elena
27-Nov-2010, 08:20
Thanks Sly, it'll be baby pictures from now on I am afraid :)
She's looking beautiful. Best wishes for a wonderful birth and healthy child. I look forward to seeing baby pictures when you've got the time to post them.
Emil Schildt
20-Dec-2010, 08:03
manipulated negative.
(using dried up salt water...)
http://photos.photosig.com/photos/81/00/1440081-074682ffd830b0fd.jpg
austin granger
10-Jan-2011, 23:31
My twins, Hope and Finn, the day before they were born!
Tintype Bob
14-Jan-2011, 07:01
Here is my oldest 4x5 pregnancy shot. It is a self portrait done during my 1st pregnancy. (I'm a grandmother now). Unfortunately the negative has gone missing over the years - though the boring, bad ones have survived.
I had to sell my cameras and darkroom when the kids were little and finances were tight. It's only in recent years I've returned to LF. A great place to be.
That is one of the mose beautiful shots of a woman I have seen, I love the lighting and the expression on the face, Great Work
Emil Schildt
19-Jun-2012, 14:01
reviving an old thread...
a fellow photographer in my garden, with my trusted domesticated badger... ;-)
13x18cm Foma film - Gandolfi camera
Taylor, Taylor and Hopson RPV lens-
.
http://www.apug.org/gallery1/files/4/8/8/7/ragne-gravid.jpg
David A. Goldfarb
19-Jun-2012, 15:00
75773
Just noticed this thread. My contribution isn't so dramatic as the others here, but it's what I was thinking at the time, and it worked for us. I shot it in color to show off the dress, which was made by a seamstress whom my wife's family knows in the Philippines. Sinar 8x10" P, Astia, 12" Gold Dot Dagor around f:16-22. A week before he was born. Now he's 5-1/2 years old.
Denise Dognini
20-Jun-2012, 14:56
Here is my oldest 4x5 pregnancy shot. It is a self portrait done during my 1st pregnancy. (I'm a grandmother now). Unfortunately the negative has gone missing over the years - though the boring, bad ones have survived.
I had to sell my cameras and darkroom when the kids were little and finances were tight. It's only in recent years I've returned to LF. A great place to be.
This is so nice! One can see how happy you were these days.
Tomorrow my sister is going to give birth to her second boy. Today I made two 8x10 portraits of her... Looking forward to developing it!
Denise Dognini
27-Jun-2012, 08:23
Tomorrow my sister is going to give birth to her second boy. Today I made two 8x10 portraits of her... Looking forward to developing it!
Here it is. It's my first 8x10 portrait, and I made some mistakes...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8014/7454419184_a4f237d255_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/denisedognini/7454419184/)
Negative scan, Adox CHS 50, Kodak 2D, G-Claron 305
mathieu Bauwens
11-May-2013, 11:38
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Chamonix 45 F1/ Txp 320/ R09 1+50
mathieu Bauwens
11-May-2013, 11:40
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Chamonix 45 F1/ TXP 320/ R09 1+50
mathieu Bauwens
8-Jul-2016, 11:10
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7415/27561360083_1d61b0ed5e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HZvb8v)Scan-8x10 (https://flic.kr/p/HZvb8v) by Mathieu Bauwens (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mathieubauwens/), sur Flickr
Kodak 2D 8x10
Fuji 300mm
Bergger Pancro 400
mathieu Bauwens
15-Jul-2016, 03:00
https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8625/28249291396_c33ae90868_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/K3i19d)8x10_0001 (https://flic.kr/p/K3i19d) by Mathieu Bauwens (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mathieubauwens/), sur Flickr
Kodak 2D 8X10
Fuji 210mm
Bergger Pancro 400
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