Post by Visage d'art on Jan 7, 2007 9:24:15 GMT -5
(this post can possibly be updated)
Hello,
I post you here my writing to defend the original glamour style from the 30’s and 50’s against the misuse of its meaning, so that it can still describe an ideal and not banal style of beauty.
I have no animosity towards people making confusion of words because it’s rather common. I just think it is useful to remind the respect of the true definitions, otherwise it becomes complicated to mean what we really like.
Indeed, it is much more practical to simply say: “I love glamour pictures” instead of a serial of words explaining “graceful, with a sensual charm and sophistication but not naked, not vulgar, etc…”.
WHAT IS THE TRUE MEANING OF THE “GLAMOUR” WORD?
According to the French dictionary, the word “Glamour” means: « Which is marked with sophisticated charm, sensuality and splendour, particularly in the field of the show and fashion”.
The development of this style occurred and reached its best in the 30’s and 50’s. Through this style, artists developed a magical way to be attractive through grace and an impeccable allure respecting moral values comparing to other styles, in order to enhance the activity of models and actresses, making sublime their full personality.
The actresses needed it to avoid to be considered as superficial things because of their beauty, and to be discharged from problems of image control or sexual offences. That’s why it has been recognized as a great reference in the world of beauty, approved by feminist leagues and the censorship, doomed to protect the interest of people. The glamour photograph can be likeable by anybody, including children, keeping a fair and eternal image of beauty with recognition and esteem.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “GLAMOUR” AND OTHER STYLES
The word “sophisticated” existing in the glamour definition guarantees its difference comparing to other styles. It means: “refined, extremely subtle, complex”, so it is more complex than just “refined” which means: “very delicate, subtle”.
Its complexity can be expressed through the clothes, the style, the behaviour or expression of feelings, when you feel that an image reunites the grace/spirit/chic in a very successful mix of trumps, looking higher than a simple sexy picture, working more the grace than any other picture. That’s why the original principle of glamour is not linked to nudity and it is fake to qualify lingerie as “glamour”. Lingerie is closer to “refined” than to “sophisticated”, because it’s not really complex when your garment is too short or too light. Any modern style using “glamour” adjective without following its original form is not truly glamour, especially when it attempts to add nudity, which is the opposite motivation of glamour.
I think this misuse happens when people want to enhance their products linking them with something chic to give them a better recognition, even if the mix is bad and vain. This misuse devaluates the importance of the glamour as an ideal of beauty.
Thus, it is useful to respect definitions to clearly mean our intentions and choices.
THE ACCURATE DEFINITIONS OF STYLES OF PICTURES, WITH EXAMPLES ON IMAGE
- Glamour = “Which is marked with sophisticated charm, sensuality and splendour, particularly in the field of the show and fashion” (according to the French dictionary). ” Using it, Garbo has been called “the most beautiful girl who ever existed” (according to the Guinness book).
Example of true glamour pictures of Greta Garbo:
www.zimagez.com/zimage/garbo2bpng-.php
www.zimagez.com/zimage/colorininspiration31vt-wb.php
www.zimagez.com/zimage/garboinwomanofaffairs2.php
The genius of Greta Garbo probably features in this picture which is considered glamour whereas she’s rigorously covered on it: all is about expression and elegance. She didn’t need to have the legs apart to be sexy.
- Sophisticated = “Refined, extremely subtle, complex”.
Example of sophisticated picture of Marlene Dietrich: www.zimagez.com/zimage/marlenedietrichpng-.php
On this picture, we can see that there is a big research on the garment, style and pose, and the result is subtle and refined, so we can say without any doubts that it is sophisticated.
- Refined = “Very delicate, subtle”. So we understand that a nice style of lingerie can be qualified as “refined”.
- Subtle = “Which has got some fineness”.
- Smart = “Whose form and aspect are graceful, slim, and well-proportioned” (first definition). “Chic, stylish” (second definition).
Through this definition, we can understand that nudes images, if they are graceful, can be qualified as “smart” and further as “art nudes”. Erotic magazines are not the best for it because they don’t always show the most photogenic parts or poses. They are more focused on a functional vision of sex and also by their own view about it. Those magazines are often subjects of jokes and insults, proof that something has failed in their step. Those nudes can be useful as witness of a perfect and rare body, but we can already guess the body forms through clothes, so what is the interest? The defect of this kind of picture is that they have no flattering mystery and no sense of private property about the intimacy.
Example of a classical smart picture of Greta Garbo:
www.zimagez.com/zimage/23974703533a4598c302.php
Example of nudes that can be qualified as “smart” and “art nudes”:
Photo of Louise Brooks : www.zimagez.com/zimage/louisebrooksprofile-straight-nudepose.php
Painting by Andrzej Malinowski: www.zimagez.com/zimage/malinowskicopyright.php
This idea of painting is a great alternative for artists wanting to do nudes but protecting their intimacy, because they can do an erotic image without to be photographed. And the result is superior to a lot of nude photos (I won’t post bad nudes for comparison. We receive it as spam so frequently!).
Julianne Moore followed this idea to make a nude inspired by the painting of Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres called "The Grand Odalisque" from 1814: www.zimagez.com/zimage/6a00d8341cbefd53ef00e550195b118833-800wi.php
The original painting was like this: www.zimagez.com/zimage/1814jean-auguste-dominiqueingres-thegrandodalisqueth.php
- Stylish = “Smart, chic”. We can understand that the stylish is not especially made to charm: it is more a way to look impeccable and classical. The Glamour goes further including charm.
Example of stylish pictures:
Photo of Louise Brooks: www.zimagez.com/zimage/louisebrooks.php
Photo of Bette Davis : www.zimagez.com/zimage/bettedavispng-.php
Photo of Greta Garbo : www.zimagez.com/zimage/1gg54.php
- Chic = “Stylish (smart, chic), presence”.
Example of stylish picture with presence:
Photo taken by Willy Maywald : www.zimagez.com/zimage/maywald-21.php
- Graceful = “Which has a particular charm and beauty”.
This style is often expressed by gesture, poses and expression.
Example of graceful picture:
Photo of Gloria Swanson: www.zimagez.com/zimage/gloriaswanson.php
Photo of Greta Garbo: www.zimagez.com/zimage/0garbochichat.php
- Charming = “Pleasant, graceful”.
The more the definition is simple and vague, the more it can be expressed differently, and depending on our own point of view.
Example of charming picture:
Photo of Drew Barrymore : www.zimagez.com/zimage/drew-barrymore-117.php
- Attractive = “Which has an advantage or a trump able to create attraction, to be pleasant”.
As for “charming”, the meaning of “attractive” can be dense so it can be a simple smile or something more developed, dressed or undressed.
Example of a smiling attractive picture:
www.zimagez.com/zimage/217208479961b2cc23cd.php
- Romantic = “Relating to the sensitivity, emotion, dream”.
Flowers and old fashion clothes are often used to express this style, with a loving or dreaming expression.
Example of romantic pictures:
Photo of Greta Garbo: www.zimagez.com/zimage/gretagarbocamillepng-2.php
Photo of Kate Bush: www.zimagez.com/zimage/8katebush.php
- Spiritual = “Which relates to intelligence, spirit, moral”. The usual poses to express this style are: the gaze looking at the sky or being pensive. It made Garbo being called “the divine”.
Example of spiritual pictures:
Photo of Greta Garbo: www.zimagez.com/zimage/garboeternalpng-.php
Photo of Kate Bush: www.zimagez.com/zimage/614929527291e58d5a3png-.php
- Melancholic = “Which shows a vague sadness”.
Example of melancholic picture:
Photo of Greta Garbo: www.zimagez.com/zimage/0111108.php
- Splendid = “Magnificent for the contemplation, sumptuous (=rich); which have a radiant splendour”.
Example of splendid picture:
Photo of Evelyn Brent: www.zimagez.com/zimage/evelynbrent1png-.php
We can see that the garment of Evelyn Brent look rich and magnificent, as a fairy dress of butterfly, so we can call it “splendid”.
- Prestigious = “Attraction, splendour which can seduce or impress; influence on someone or something”.
We can understand that it is a mix of attractive style and splendid. It relates to the society pictures of artists when they appear at shows.
- Sublime = “Which has a high moral, intellectual or artistic value; perfect in its style, marvellous; which is the highest in style, feelings, etc…”.
I think this style is close to the spiritual kind of picture, but with something stylish added, and with an intellectual sense. I think the black color of clothes fits well with a sober elegance.
Example of sublime picture:
Photo of the phoenix pose of Greta Garbo, symbol of eternity: www.zimagez.com/zimage/gg7sf6mppng-.php
Photo of a thinking pose of Garbo: www.zimagez.com/zimage/gretagarbopng-.php
- Sexy = “Which has a charm attractive and enticing; which has a sex-appeal”.
So we understand that the sexy style has to vamp, to seduce fatally. The sexy is more direct than the glamour which prefers to let some mystery for imagination. Nowadays, the sexy style is a bit confused with the direct sex style, more exaggerated.
Example of true sexy/enticing picture:
Photo of Jean Harlow: www.zimagez.com/zimage/jeanharlowdinnerpng-.php
- Sensual = “Which is receptive to the pleasure of senses/eroticism or which aspect and behaviour evokes the pleasure of senses”.
So it’s more the evocation of the pleasure than directly erotic, it is more suggestive than sexual. In order to show its difference comparing to the eroticism (in the general image use) the sensuality avoids the disclosure of intimacy and shows only forms or decent parts of the body. Unfortunately, it’s not clearly meant in its definition. Surely the academy should update it in accordance with its current use.
Example of nice sensual pictures:
Photo of one Greta Garbo’s expression: www.zimagez.com/zimage/gloves-big-2.php
Photo of Demi Moore wearing a dress from Donna Karan:
www.zimagez.com/zimage/demimoore-dressfromdonnakaranpng-.php
Photo of Catherine Zeta-Jones: www.zimagez.com/zimage/czetajones.php
I think that the sensual pictures have more legitimating when they:
- refer to sport and summer activities, linked to the health field, like those pictures of Rita Hayworth who had a lot to teach us in the body matter, being a great dancer: www.zimagez.com/zimage/ritahayworth-tenue-d-etepng-.php ; www.zimagez.com/zimage/ritahayworthdansant2png-.php
Or those modern pictures from Elle McPherson, Heather Thomas, and Nicollette Sheridan: www.zimagez.com/zimage/0000130394-03524l.php ; www.zimagez.com/zimage/heatherthomas-thefallguy-surfpic.php ;
www.zimagez.com/zimage/nicollettesheridanpng--.php
- just show the legs and suggest the bust, like these pictures of Jean Harlow and Greta Garbo: www.zimagez.com/zimage/jeanharlowlegwearpng-0.php ; www.zimagez.com/zimage/gretagarbointhemysteriousladylowcutpng-.php
- have a fresh tone, like this picture of Salma Hayek, which gives a healthy feeling about the body: www.zimagez.com/zimage/salmahayek4.php
Conclusion:
Photographers can use several of these tendencies to make their own mix and build their personal style but, in general, there is a main base that we can clearly identify.
EXAMPLE OF MISUSE OF THE GLAMOUR DEFINITION
The misuse of glamour definition is the embezzlement of the glamour meaning, which occurs when people want to enhance their product with the glamour word without to really belong to its style.
Examples:
This page: www.zimagez.com/zimage/misuseofglamourdefinitionpng-.php shows an attempt of parasitism against the glamour style made by photographers who work, in reality, for sexy or erotic images.
They use the glamour adjective when they consider putting something chic in their style, whereas their intention is more to do “smart sexy” pictures than glamour. By this misuse, they suggest that the sexy or erotic style can not impose itself alone, missing a legitimating, so they try to mix it with a chic style to convince their sitters or media that it is good. They qualify their work as a “modern glamour of nowadays”, supposedly evolved, whereas it’s less succeeded than the original glamour from the 30’s and 50’s.
I think that the magazines misusing the glamour word, as Playboy magazine or another, should rather qualify or retrain what they do as a “smart nudity” or “art nudes” to distinguish themselves from the classical glamour meaning, as, according to my French dictionary, the first definition of “smart” is: “whose form and aspect are graceful, slim, and well-proportioned”. Then, “smart” fits to their carnal research.
But, for my taste, glamour will always make their topsy-turvy pictures look outmoded!
The word “sensuality” featuring in the definition is maybe the cause of its misuse because it relates to the sexual attraction. Yet, it is quite normal as all physical attraction, provoking the desire of love, have something sexual. However, in the general use, the sensuality is expressed differently than the sexuality or eroticism: it only shows forms and no sexual parts to evoke the body beauty and carnal attraction. Consequently, if the definition of the word “sensuality” could be updated in accordance with its general use, it could help a best understanding of the true glamour meaning. The new definition of “sensuality” could become as follows: “Which evokes the body beauty or physical attraction, without to disclose intimacy, showing decent parts of the body, no direct sexual parts or poses, with just suggestion and subtlety”.
What kind of technical ideas brought the glamour to express the body beauty and attraction with discretion?
The glamour fashion shows the body beauty:
- enhancing the line of the silhouette with more subtlety than nudity, and generally with sophisticated evening dresses and high fashion style.
Examples:
Photo of Greta Garbo : www.zimagez.com/zimage/gretagarbo-png-.php
Photo of Nicole Kidman: www.zimagez.com/zimage/nicole204png-.php
Photo of Natalie Portman : www.zimagez.com/zimage/00b9cb87c38d1030998b5d6a095b674522.php
- using veils preserving the intimacy of the body and inspired by the wedding dresses. Those veils are only partially transparent:
Example:
Photo of Greta Garbo: www.zimagez.com/zimage/gretagarbothemysteriouslady.php
- using lace as a detail on a garment, never as full lingerie:
Example:
Photo of Marilyn Monroe: www.zimagez.com/zimage/marilynmonroe-0.php
- using a graceful mannerism like this picture of John Gilbert kissing subtly Greta Garbo on the cheek:
www.zimagez.com/zimage/thekiss-2png-.php
In clumsy pictures, actors are kissing so badly, pushing their lips against each other like in a fight, making a firm fish pout, just like in apnoea. Later, in the 70’s, it became the contrary: they were granting us a very large view of dentist where we could almost guess what they ate for dinner, not really artistic and too direct!
SOME OF MY FAVOURITE STYLES OF PICTURES, AMONG THOSE MODERN
- A natural style of photo: cool and neutral, close to nature.
Example:
Photo of Shania Twain: www.zimagez.com/zimage/shania-twain-11.php
- The yoga pose: zen, wise and sporting.
Example:
Photo of Demi Moore: www.zimagez.com/zimage/yogademi.php
Photo of Heather Thomas: www.zimagez.com/zimage/heatherthomas-yogag.php
- Simply pure. This kind of picture is often taken close to the sea or the sky, with white clothes.
Example:
Photo of Michelle Pfeiffer: www.zimagez.com/zimage/ladyhawk02.php
Photo of Diana Rigg: www.zimagez.com/zimage/1dianarigg-whitehorse.php
Photo of Angie Everhart: www.zimagez.com/zimage/angieeverhart28.php
HOW CAN WE COMFORT WOMEN WHO EXCEEDED THE GLAMOUR STYLE AND REACHED SOMETHING EXTREME OR NOT VERY SUCCESSFUL?
I don’t think women have something ugly or vulgar in what they are naturally. But being clumsy, an image can disserve their true beauty or talent. However, possible montages can not guarantee who is who, so there is always the possibility to reject the ownership/responsibility of an image. Moreover, the Internet Police Investigation or another administration can erase the undesired images because of the owner property rights or censorship. To avoid problems, it is advised to recognize only our best images at the end of our lives and through our own biography against wrong interpretations from others. It is also advised to modify a bit our appearance and to stay correct in order to protect privacy when we intend to play with our image. Anyway, the image has something relative because we are just humans…
A FEW WORDS ABOUT PREJUDICES
- Is it necessary to do nudes pictures to be recognized?
- Are small or big busts too ugly for doing art nudes?
If I would compare busts with fruits, I would say that there are: melon, apple and pear forms of busts. Anyway, we can see beauty in each category. Greta Garbo had rather a pear bust. The advantage of pear busts is that they are easy to wear, compact, giving a straight and fluid line of the body, and a sporting allure. Their form is already visible through clothes, like the others, so what is the interest of doing nude pictures: break all mystery? For my personal taste, you surely guessed that I prefer glamour pictures!
I remember an artist who made a video deriding the nude industry. It was Robbie Williams in "DJ" : he makes a striptease until he becomes a skeleton, showing that nude industry never get enough.
Thanks for the reading,
Kind regards.
Hello,
I post you here my writing to defend the original glamour style from the 30’s and 50’s against the misuse of its meaning, so that it can still describe an ideal and not banal style of beauty.
I have no animosity towards people making confusion of words because it’s rather common. I just think it is useful to remind the respect of the true definitions, otherwise it becomes complicated to mean what we really like.
Indeed, it is much more practical to simply say: “I love glamour pictures” instead of a serial of words explaining “graceful, with a sensual charm and sophistication but not naked, not vulgar, etc…”.
WHAT IS THE TRUE MEANING OF THE “GLAMOUR” WORD?
According to the French dictionary, the word “Glamour” means: « Which is marked with sophisticated charm, sensuality and splendour, particularly in the field of the show and fashion”.
The development of this style occurred and reached its best in the 30’s and 50’s. Through this style, artists developed a magical way to be attractive through grace and an impeccable allure respecting moral values comparing to other styles, in order to enhance the activity of models and actresses, making sublime their full personality.
The actresses needed it to avoid to be considered as superficial things because of their beauty, and to be discharged from problems of image control or sexual offences. That’s why it has been recognized as a great reference in the world of beauty, approved by feminist leagues and the censorship, doomed to protect the interest of people. The glamour photograph can be likeable by anybody, including children, keeping a fair and eternal image of beauty with recognition and esteem.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “GLAMOUR” AND OTHER STYLES
The word “sophisticated” existing in the glamour definition guarantees its difference comparing to other styles. It means: “refined, extremely subtle, complex”, so it is more complex than just “refined” which means: “very delicate, subtle”.
Its complexity can be expressed through the clothes, the style, the behaviour or expression of feelings, when you feel that an image reunites the grace/spirit/chic in a very successful mix of trumps, looking higher than a simple sexy picture, working more the grace than any other picture. That’s why the original principle of glamour is not linked to nudity and it is fake to qualify lingerie as “glamour”. Lingerie is closer to “refined” than to “sophisticated”, because it’s not really complex when your garment is too short or too light. Any modern style using “glamour” adjective without following its original form is not truly glamour, especially when it attempts to add nudity, which is the opposite motivation of glamour.
I think this misuse happens when people want to enhance their products linking them with something chic to give them a better recognition, even if the mix is bad and vain. This misuse devaluates the importance of the glamour as an ideal of beauty.
Thus, it is useful to respect definitions to clearly mean our intentions and choices.
THE ACCURATE DEFINITIONS OF STYLES OF PICTURES, WITH EXAMPLES ON IMAGE
- Glamour = “Which is marked with sophisticated charm, sensuality and splendour, particularly in the field of the show and fashion” (according to the French dictionary). ” Using it, Garbo has been called “the most beautiful girl who ever existed” (according to the Guinness book).
Example of true glamour pictures of Greta Garbo:
www.zimagez.com/zimage/garbo2bpng-.php
www.zimagez.com/zimage/colorininspiration31vt-wb.php
www.zimagez.com/zimage/garboinwomanofaffairs2.php
The genius of Greta Garbo probably features in this picture which is considered glamour whereas she’s rigorously covered on it: all is about expression and elegance. She didn’t need to have the legs apart to be sexy.
- Sophisticated = “Refined, extremely subtle, complex”.
Example of sophisticated picture of Marlene Dietrich: www.zimagez.com/zimage/marlenedietrichpng-.php
On this picture, we can see that there is a big research on the garment, style and pose, and the result is subtle and refined, so we can say without any doubts that it is sophisticated.
- Refined = “Very delicate, subtle”. So we understand that a nice style of lingerie can be qualified as “refined”.
- Subtle = “Which has got some fineness”.
- Smart = “Whose form and aspect are graceful, slim, and well-proportioned” (first definition). “Chic, stylish” (second definition).
Through this definition, we can understand that nudes images, if they are graceful, can be qualified as “smart” and further as “art nudes”. Erotic magazines are not the best for it because they don’t always show the most photogenic parts or poses. They are more focused on a functional vision of sex and also by their own view about it. Those magazines are often subjects of jokes and insults, proof that something has failed in their step. Those nudes can be useful as witness of a perfect and rare body, but we can already guess the body forms through clothes, so what is the interest? The defect of this kind of picture is that they have no flattering mystery and no sense of private property about the intimacy.
Example of a classical smart picture of Greta Garbo:
www.zimagez.com/zimage/23974703533a4598c302.php
Example of nudes that can be qualified as “smart” and “art nudes”:
Photo of Louise Brooks : www.zimagez.com/zimage/louisebrooksprofile-straight-nudepose.php
Painting by Andrzej Malinowski: www.zimagez.com/zimage/malinowskicopyright.php
This idea of painting is a great alternative for artists wanting to do nudes but protecting their intimacy, because they can do an erotic image without to be photographed. And the result is superior to a lot of nude photos (I won’t post bad nudes for comparison. We receive it as spam so frequently!).
Julianne Moore followed this idea to make a nude inspired by the painting of Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres called "The Grand Odalisque" from 1814: www.zimagez.com/zimage/6a00d8341cbefd53ef00e550195b118833-800wi.php
The original painting was like this: www.zimagez.com/zimage/1814jean-auguste-dominiqueingres-thegrandodalisqueth.php
- Stylish = “Smart, chic”. We can understand that the stylish is not especially made to charm: it is more a way to look impeccable and classical. The Glamour goes further including charm.
Example of stylish pictures:
Photo of Louise Brooks: www.zimagez.com/zimage/louisebrooks.php
Photo of Bette Davis : www.zimagez.com/zimage/bettedavispng-.php
Photo of Greta Garbo : www.zimagez.com/zimage/1gg54.php
- Chic = “Stylish (smart, chic), presence”.
Example of stylish picture with presence:
Photo taken by Willy Maywald : www.zimagez.com/zimage/maywald-21.php
- Graceful = “Which has a particular charm and beauty”.
This style is often expressed by gesture, poses and expression.
Example of graceful picture:
Photo of Gloria Swanson: www.zimagez.com/zimage/gloriaswanson.php
Photo of Greta Garbo: www.zimagez.com/zimage/0garbochichat.php
- Charming = “Pleasant, graceful”.
The more the definition is simple and vague, the more it can be expressed differently, and depending on our own point of view.
Example of charming picture:
Photo of Drew Barrymore : www.zimagez.com/zimage/drew-barrymore-117.php
- Attractive = “Which has an advantage or a trump able to create attraction, to be pleasant”.
As for “charming”, the meaning of “attractive” can be dense so it can be a simple smile or something more developed, dressed or undressed.
Example of a smiling attractive picture:
www.zimagez.com/zimage/217208479961b2cc23cd.php
- Romantic = “Relating to the sensitivity, emotion, dream”.
Flowers and old fashion clothes are often used to express this style, with a loving or dreaming expression.
Example of romantic pictures:
Photo of Greta Garbo: www.zimagez.com/zimage/gretagarbocamillepng-2.php
Photo of Kate Bush: www.zimagez.com/zimage/8katebush.php
- Spiritual = “Which relates to intelligence, spirit, moral”. The usual poses to express this style are: the gaze looking at the sky or being pensive. It made Garbo being called “the divine”.
Example of spiritual pictures:
Photo of Greta Garbo: www.zimagez.com/zimage/garboeternalpng-.php
Photo of Kate Bush: www.zimagez.com/zimage/614929527291e58d5a3png-.php
- Melancholic = “Which shows a vague sadness”.
Example of melancholic picture:
Photo of Greta Garbo: www.zimagez.com/zimage/0111108.php
- Splendid = “Magnificent for the contemplation, sumptuous (=rich); which have a radiant splendour”.
Example of splendid picture:
Photo of Evelyn Brent: www.zimagez.com/zimage/evelynbrent1png-.php
We can see that the garment of Evelyn Brent look rich and magnificent, as a fairy dress of butterfly, so we can call it “splendid”.
- Prestigious = “Attraction, splendour which can seduce or impress; influence on someone or something”.
We can understand that it is a mix of attractive style and splendid. It relates to the society pictures of artists when they appear at shows.
- Sublime = “Which has a high moral, intellectual or artistic value; perfect in its style, marvellous; which is the highest in style, feelings, etc…”.
I think this style is close to the spiritual kind of picture, but with something stylish added, and with an intellectual sense. I think the black color of clothes fits well with a sober elegance.
Example of sublime picture:
Photo of the phoenix pose of Greta Garbo, symbol of eternity: www.zimagez.com/zimage/gg7sf6mppng-.php
Photo of a thinking pose of Garbo: www.zimagez.com/zimage/gretagarbopng-.php
- Sexy = “Which has a charm attractive and enticing; which has a sex-appeal”.
So we understand that the sexy style has to vamp, to seduce fatally. The sexy is more direct than the glamour which prefers to let some mystery for imagination. Nowadays, the sexy style is a bit confused with the direct sex style, more exaggerated.
Example of true sexy/enticing picture:
Photo of Jean Harlow: www.zimagez.com/zimage/jeanharlowdinnerpng-.php
- Sensual = “Which is receptive to the pleasure of senses/eroticism or which aspect and behaviour evokes the pleasure of senses”.
So it’s more the evocation of the pleasure than directly erotic, it is more suggestive than sexual. In order to show its difference comparing to the eroticism (in the general image use) the sensuality avoids the disclosure of intimacy and shows only forms or decent parts of the body. Unfortunately, it’s not clearly meant in its definition. Surely the academy should update it in accordance with its current use.
Example of nice sensual pictures:
Photo of one Greta Garbo’s expression: www.zimagez.com/zimage/gloves-big-2.php
Photo of Demi Moore wearing a dress from Donna Karan:
www.zimagez.com/zimage/demimoore-dressfromdonnakaranpng-.php
Photo of Catherine Zeta-Jones: www.zimagez.com/zimage/czetajones.php
I think that the sensual pictures have more legitimating when they:
- refer to sport and summer activities, linked to the health field, like those pictures of Rita Hayworth who had a lot to teach us in the body matter, being a great dancer: www.zimagez.com/zimage/ritahayworth-tenue-d-etepng-.php ; www.zimagez.com/zimage/ritahayworthdansant2png-.php
Or those modern pictures from Elle McPherson, Heather Thomas, and Nicollette Sheridan: www.zimagez.com/zimage/0000130394-03524l.php ; www.zimagez.com/zimage/heatherthomas-thefallguy-surfpic.php ;
www.zimagez.com/zimage/nicollettesheridanpng--.php
- just show the legs and suggest the bust, like these pictures of Jean Harlow and Greta Garbo: www.zimagez.com/zimage/jeanharlowlegwearpng-0.php ; www.zimagez.com/zimage/gretagarbointhemysteriousladylowcutpng-.php
- have a fresh tone, like this picture of Salma Hayek, which gives a healthy feeling about the body: www.zimagez.com/zimage/salmahayek4.php
Conclusion:
Photographers can use several of these tendencies to make their own mix and build their personal style but, in general, there is a main base that we can clearly identify.
EXAMPLE OF MISUSE OF THE GLAMOUR DEFINITION
The misuse of glamour definition is the embezzlement of the glamour meaning, which occurs when people want to enhance their product with the glamour word without to really belong to its style.
Examples:
This page: www.zimagez.com/zimage/misuseofglamourdefinitionpng-.php shows an attempt of parasitism against the glamour style made by photographers who work, in reality, for sexy or erotic images.
They use the glamour adjective when they consider putting something chic in their style, whereas their intention is more to do “smart sexy” pictures than glamour. By this misuse, they suggest that the sexy or erotic style can not impose itself alone, missing a legitimating, so they try to mix it with a chic style to convince their sitters or media that it is good. They qualify their work as a “modern glamour of nowadays”, supposedly evolved, whereas it’s less succeeded than the original glamour from the 30’s and 50’s.
I think that the magazines misusing the glamour word, as Playboy magazine or another, should rather qualify or retrain what they do as a “smart nudity” or “art nudes” to distinguish themselves from the classical glamour meaning, as, according to my French dictionary, the first definition of “smart” is: “whose form and aspect are graceful, slim, and well-proportioned”. Then, “smart” fits to their carnal research.
But, for my taste, glamour will always make their topsy-turvy pictures look outmoded!
The word “sensuality” featuring in the definition is maybe the cause of its misuse because it relates to the sexual attraction. Yet, it is quite normal as all physical attraction, provoking the desire of love, have something sexual. However, in the general use, the sensuality is expressed differently than the sexuality or eroticism: it only shows forms and no sexual parts to evoke the body beauty and carnal attraction. Consequently, if the definition of the word “sensuality” could be updated in accordance with its general use, it could help a best understanding of the true glamour meaning. The new definition of “sensuality” could become as follows: “Which evokes the body beauty or physical attraction, without to disclose intimacy, showing decent parts of the body, no direct sexual parts or poses, with just suggestion and subtlety”.
What kind of technical ideas brought the glamour to express the body beauty and attraction with discretion?
The glamour fashion shows the body beauty:
- enhancing the line of the silhouette with more subtlety than nudity, and generally with sophisticated evening dresses and high fashion style.
Examples:
Photo of Greta Garbo : www.zimagez.com/zimage/gretagarbo-png-.php
Photo of Nicole Kidman: www.zimagez.com/zimage/nicole204png-.php
Photo of Natalie Portman : www.zimagez.com/zimage/00b9cb87c38d1030998b5d6a095b674522.php
- using veils preserving the intimacy of the body and inspired by the wedding dresses. Those veils are only partially transparent:
Example:
Photo of Greta Garbo: www.zimagez.com/zimage/gretagarbothemysteriouslady.php
- using lace as a detail on a garment, never as full lingerie:
Example:
Photo of Marilyn Monroe: www.zimagez.com/zimage/marilynmonroe-0.php
- using a graceful mannerism like this picture of John Gilbert kissing subtly Greta Garbo on the cheek:
www.zimagez.com/zimage/thekiss-2png-.php
In clumsy pictures, actors are kissing so badly, pushing their lips against each other like in a fight, making a firm fish pout, just like in apnoea. Later, in the 70’s, it became the contrary: they were granting us a very large view of dentist where we could almost guess what they ate for dinner, not really artistic and too direct!
SOME OF MY FAVOURITE STYLES OF PICTURES, AMONG THOSE MODERN
- A natural style of photo: cool and neutral, close to nature.
Example:
Photo of Shania Twain: www.zimagez.com/zimage/shania-twain-11.php
- The yoga pose: zen, wise and sporting.
Example:
Photo of Demi Moore: www.zimagez.com/zimage/yogademi.php
Photo of Heather Thomas: www.zimagez.com/zimage/heatherthomas-yogag.php
- Simply pure. This kind of picture is often taken close to the sea or the sky, with white clothes.
Example:
Photo of Michelle Pfeiffer: www.zimagez.com/zimage/ladyhawk02.php
Photo of Diana Rigg: www.zimagez.com/zimage/1dianarigg-whitehorse.php
Photo of Angie Everhart: www.zimagez.com/zimage/angieeverhart28.php
HOW CAN WE COMFORT WOMEN WHO EXCEEDED THE GLAMOUR STYLE AND REACHED SOMETHING EXTREME OR NOT VERY SUCCESSFUL?
I don’t think women have something ugly or vulgar in what they are naturally. But being clumsy, an image can disserve their true beauty or talent. However, possible montages can not guarantee who is who, so there is always the possibility to reject the ownership/responsibility of an image. Moreover, the Internet Police Investigation or another administration can erase the undesired images because of the owner property rights or censorship. To avoid problems, it is advised to recognize only our best images at the end of our lives and through our own biography against wrong interpretations from others. It is also advised to modify a bit our appearance and to stay correct in order to protect privacy when we intend to play with our image. Anyway, the image has something relative because we are just humans…
A FEW WORDS ABOUT PREJUDICES
- Is it necessary to do nudes pictures to be recognized?
- Are small or big busts too ugly for doing art nudes?
If I would compare busts with fruits, I would say that there are: melon, apple and pear forms of busts. Anyway, we can see beauty in each category. Greta Garbo had rather a pear bust. The advantage of pear busts is that they are easy to wear, compact, giving a straight and fluid line of the body, and a sporting allure. Their form is already visible through clothes, like the others, so what is the interest of doing nude pictures: break all mystery? For my personal taste, you surely guessed that I prefer glamour pictures!
I remember an artist who made a video deriding the nude industry. It was Robbie Williams in "DJ" : he makes a striptease until he becomes a skeleton, showing that nude industry never get enough.
Thanks for the reading,
Kind regards.