Saturday, November 26, 2011

Fashion Without Clothes

In its history, fashion photography has included photos of models without clothes.  Removing clothes can actually add something to pictures by focusing our attention on the pose, the light, and the feminine shape of the model.

It is in this spirit I present the clothes-free pictures shown below.  I am attempting to create art. 

Truth be told, there's also something else going on.  I'm making a leap in my journey toward female identity.  For me, these photos have a different meaning than they would for a young, biologically-born woman.  For a man, this type of behavior is culturally condemned, physically difficult and aesthetically challenging.  I am braving through that in pursuit of something important.  I ask, before you judge this experiment, that you try to understand the unusual meaning this activity has for me, in the context of my unorthodox life.

I hope these images don't offend you; if they do, I apologize.  I have no intent to disturb anyone.  Long-time readers of my blog know I often push the envelope to see what will happen.  This post is an example of that adventurous attitude and my striving for feminine beauty.






P.S., I'll give a dollar to the first person who writes, "Nice outfit!"

37 comments:

  1. seriously, i'm envy with you. u had a beautiful skin. and your 1st pic is my favorite. your necklace and nail polish is a great touch :)

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  2. Okay, I'm not even going to email you back. You had nothing to worry about! More people should do this. Be-a-ooo-ti-ful!

    I agree: you have gorgeous skin!

    Maybe I should take a lesson from you and next year, for Love Your Body Day, I'll encourage everyone in the blogosphere to post themselves in the nude. Now THAT would be fun.

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  3. Nice outfit. You're much braver than me for doing this, I admire you so much for this post.

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  4. Great pic! I agree with Ashley and dunia kecil indi!
    xxx

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  5. How about nice birthday suit? ;-D

    Jessica

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  6. You are indeed brave. It's funny, I just saw a picture of a woman posed similarly to you and thought what an interesting picture it was. I see nothing at all offensive about this. Bravo to you for posting it.

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  7. Echoing the others - You have great skin. I can totally see why you wanted to post this and think it's very appropriate. It's got that pin-up vibe without being too over the top. Kudos to you for your bravery and your strength of loving yourself.

    I really think you've captured the spirit of who Ally is without the need for cloth.

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  8. To echo what everyone else has said: Nothing to worry about!

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  9. Whew... I'm so relieved you guys are taking this in the spirit I intended it. I've been deeply worried about being misunderstood.

    Debbie, I saw that same picture and it was the inspiration for my doing this. Her photo illustrated an article on how women can remain beautiful even when they get older. The model is in her 50s (like me). I thought, if she can do it, why not me?

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  10. Gorgeous. Brave. Inspiring. You are amazing.

    Xoxoxo
    Tracy

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  11. Not offensive at all, very classy pictures, I like your jewelry! Your bravery/confidence is enviable. Like everyone else has said, your skin looks great too!

    Principessa Gabriella

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  12. I love the pose and you are very adventurous and courageous- I admire that!
    You look pretty amazing if you ask me and I agree with all the comments above.. and you have inspired me to maybe try a pose like this sometime!!
    xOo J

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  13. You have such amazing skin! You are just glowing in these pics!

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  14. I'm thrilled by this post and almost a little envious that I'm too self conscious to do this. Love that you threw caution to the wind.

    You rock Aly :0)

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  15. Thanks, guys. And you know... nobody's stopping you from doing whatever makes you happy... :)

    Most of us are the warden of our own prison.

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  16. Y'know, it's probably inappropriate given the context of the situation, but I'm just going to say it: You've got balls. If anyone didn't admire you before, I think they'd be foolish to hold back admiration now. Very well done. I applaud your bravery.

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  17. You strike a very elegant, tasteful pose, and a very feminine one too. Though I wouldn't have the guts to, or even want to, do anything similar (mostly because who knows where these pictures will go once they exist, or who will misuse them if they figure out the connection between real-me and blog-me), I support anyone's right to wear as little or as much as they want on the internet :)

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  18. I see that you have nothing to worry about with this post. I think you achieved your goal, and you have a lot of support from your fellow bloggers and friends. I think what makes these photos what they are is your smile. You are truly happy, and it shows in each photo.

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  19. I take my hat off to you, thats very brave. You look gorgeous and the photos are just as poet said, elegant and tasteful.

    Apparently its not just your legs that are lovely...

    sebbie

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  20. Ally,

    I really admire you.

    I've typed and re-typed this comment about 5 times now, and I just can't seem to find the right way to convey my feelings without sounding trite.

    I watch your posts and see you embracing the life you want for yourself - and I just... <3.

    I love your bravery, your whimsy, your daring. These photos are lovely. I especially love the 1st. No pretense.. just Ally.

    Thanks for sharing yourself.

    xoxo

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  21. I think you look amazing, Ally - these are lovely pictures. You are especially brave to post these online. It's a difficult thing just to put one's clothed body out there for critique, but to put one's nude body is even more exposing!

    I did nude photos (studio-done, very tasteful) several years ago - I'm proud of them. I don't think the naked human form (whatever gender) is anything to be offended at. We are all beautiful!

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  22. I've always believed that most of us actually look better with our clothes off. You look relaxed and happy!

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  23. I don't comment here as often as some. Not because I don't love you and all, I am just no fashionista. I read, I just don't always have a lot to add. But I just had to comment here. That first shot is awesome. You go, girl!

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  24. I have been following your blog for a little while but have never commented before. I can't explain why but to me you look more feminine in these pictures than in any other I have seen. Very Beautiful!

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  25. I love these pics! I think my favorite part is that you painted your toenails! Adds a whimsical touch to the photo!

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  26. Thank you, Anonymous. That's an ironic point but, I hope, a true one. Very sweet of you to contribute it.

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  27. So sorry it's taken me forever to actually post a comment, but I looked at the post several days ago! I think these are lovely, tasteful, graceful...and VERY feminine. I applaud you for being comfortable enough with your body to post them and for constantly pushing yourself to accomplish new goals toward exploring your femininity. I know you were a little nervous about it, and I understand why, but I think sometimes the things we are most nervous about doing are the very things it's most important for us to do.

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  28. beautiful pictures. truly works of art. kudos to you!

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  29. Brave and gorgeous. You should confidently embrace your femininity.

    -Jaz
    http://summerlilacs.blogspot.com/

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  30. For someone who has recently got into the modeling end I have to say that these are great. The skin is a flawless porcelain, the pose is a delicate feminine tease. These are beautiful shots. You have done a very powerful liberating thing. To let yourself go and capture the moment down to the barest natural state!!! Being Nude is BEAUTIFUL! You go Girl!

    I am going to offer one constructive criticism if I may. This is a chance to take it to heart and explore it, not to put you down in any way.
    Especially since I absolutely love and adore you!

    Facial expression. Ally you are a beautiful girl. Every picture you take has the same smile, same gaze. If you were to go through a years worth of photographs and cut up but nothing but the face you will notice it is the same frozen pose in all your photographs.

    I would love the opportunity if we ever have a free time that coordinates, to show you that ally can be all smiles, all teases, all flirtations, be serious, be somber, be sad, be angry, be a mixture of so many emotions, and have that being captured in all ways and events. For you to be able to take a photograph that not necessarily captures that moment in time where you are locked in a smile....that would possibly be the truest picture!
    (and I still want to get you out girl..YOU owe me on that one!)

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  31. You have the most beautiful skin, Ally share your secret !
    And like the other commenters I must say that these are brave, well done, tasteful and most important we can see how happy you are.

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  32. These are beautiful. I posed for a photographer exactly 20 years ago. It forced to own my body, not to be ashamed of what I had. I've always been a fan of pushing past my fears, I just don't want to end up a 98 yr old completely defined by fear and regret. I'd rather have a good laugh about it all.

    I always wanted less curvy legs. I wanted to be skinny without having my ribcage show, (it's always shown, I have mixed feelings about it). I've wanted a perkier chest, feet that are less wide. You have a male body. In the end, it is our duty to express ourselves regardless of genetics. I refuse to apologize for my body, it's my vessel until I expire. I see these pictures as an act of love onto yourself. Do not excuse your vessel, you know who you are in heart. You're beautiful for being you.

    Thank you for sharing your experience with me/us.

    xo,
    f

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  33. I am so proud of you. I'm sorry I did not visit this post sooner. It is a brave out to put yourself out there, for all of us really, but expecially for you. And you do, with grace, authenticity and candor.
    PS: nice outfit.

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  34. Oh Ally, I thought that I commented on this post already. I adore these photographs. It has been wonderful to see you grow so much with this blog. You ate challenging yourself in so many ways and you inspire me often to pursue my own happiness.

    You are beautiful xo

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  35. I feel very sorry I missed that post. I just wanted to write how great you are both inside and outside

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Lyosha. I appreciate your support -- a lot. It means the world to me.

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