This discussion is healthy and good for photography. I for one (and I suspect, untold thousands of others) am delighted that B&W World has this policy. I am not a prude, but my interest in such things as nudity are within the confines of religious conviction, good taste (whatever that may be), and respect for women.

My reasons will be different from others who may agree, but that is not the point. The point really is....everyone should have a place within their scope of interest where they can get the intelectual stimulation that they seek without being subjected to unwanted material.

I certainly don't want to limit or prohibit others from seeking information for themselves "wherever." But I want to come to Mason's site knowing that I will find respect for the human form.

Does this opinon really upset anyone?

-- Garth Harker (garth3368@aol.com), October 31, 1999

Answers

Well Said

I have no problem with the policy.

I have no problem with nudity or with nudity in art and photography, but frankly the quality of 99.9% of the nude photography on the Web and elsewhere leaves a whole lot to be desired.

If I look at one more great picture of a tree marred by putting a naked woman in front of it, just to have an 'environmental nude' or whatever the heck their calling it, I'll throw my Hasselblad through my computer screen.

-- David Parmet (dparmet@bestweb.net), October 31, 1999.

"frankly the quality of 99.9% of the nude photography on the Web and elsewhere leaves a whole lot to be desired."

In my opinion you could leave the word "nude" out of this sentence and still be accurate.

Those of us who wish to show respect for and defend the integrity and appropriateness of the unadorned human form in the arts, need to start our own critique forum. I don't personally have the resources, I wish someone did...t

-- tom meyer (twm@mindspring.com), October 31, 1999.

"everyone should have a place within their scope of interest where they can get the intellectual stimulation that they seek without being subjected to unwanted material"

That, to my mind, is precisely the point. It (that material) is irrelevant to why we are here, regardless of your attitude towards it. And if you want to see nudes, it is so easy to go elsewhere. That is why I have so much trouble understanding the vigor of the "pro-nude" faction. Different strokes for different folks - but what is the benefit of it being here (rhetorical question - no answer needed or desired).

-- Chris Werner (cbwerner@att.net), October 31, 1999.