Sta.sh
Over the last few years I have noticed an interesting change in the world of cyber-art in relation to body types. I am not saying that I have seen the bodies change - there are still a massive variety of bodies out there - but I have seen how people respond change.
An evolution is taking place before our eyes. A few years ago, photos of large, curvaceous women almost exclusively attacked comments such as 'ewwwww', 'gross' and 'I just threw up a little' (I actually received that last comment on a photo of one of my larger models). Then views began to change. Attackers were attacked by a new breed of commenters. These new voices praised the models for their bravery, thanked them for showing how beautiful larger women could be and told them how sexy they were.
Meanwhile, the opposite was going on for the very thin models. They started out as glorified sex objects but a few years back things changed: comments went from 'hot' to 'FEED HER A CHEESEBURGER PLZ'; from 'nice model' to 'that is just gross'; from 'mmmm' to 'ANOREXIA', attacks on the photographer for photographing her and attacks on the model for making other women feel bad.
Today a third type of commenter has emerged; a backlash to the backlash, so to speak. Mixed in with the 'good on you' and 'work it girlfriend' messages, larger models are again being attacked but the tone has changed. Now people consider themselves doctors. Instead of 'ewwww' we get 'Why the fuck does everyone keep saying this is hot? This is unhealthy and by encouraging her you're only affirming her bad habits which are going to KILL HER!!!!!!! This is not hot! This is dangerous! GO FOR A FUCKING RUN AND STOP TELLING HER THIS IS A VALID LIFESTYLE CHOICE!' The skinny models have also seen a change: people are speaking out for them, defending their bodies and their health. 'I'm as skinny as that model and I eat constantly and never exercise. Women come up to me in the street and tell me to seek help for my anorexia and that I look sick. It feels like shit so maybe you should check your facts before you attack her.'
So this is my stance: kids, a stranger telling you that your body is 'gross', 'unhealthy' or 'dangerous', that you 'need to fucking eat something' or 'lay of the maccas' is not going to help anyone. It may make you, the commenter, feel better but that is all. You are not a dietitian or doctor, you do not know the full story behind someone's body type and thus comments such as this come off as ill-informed, judgmental and completely insensitive. Leave women to work out their own bodies and minds! Point and laugh at the bad photo shopping or call a models body 'gross' to your friends in the privacy of an offline conversation but please do not attack the model online or where she will read the comment! Do not think that you are helping anyone but yourself by doing this!
In short, be nice, be humane, be compassionate and be respectful. Look after yourself but not at the expense of someone else's mental health.
Thanks.
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An evolution is taking place before our eyes. A few years ago, photos of large, curvaceous women almost exclusively attacked comments such as 'ewwwww', 'gross' and 'I just threw up a little' (I actually received that last comment on a photo of one of my larger models). Then views began to change. Attackers were attacked by a new breed of commenters. These new voices praised the models for their bravery, thanked them for showing how beautiful larger women could be and told them how sexy they were.
Meanwhile, the opposite was going on for the very thin models. They started out as glorified sex objects but a few years back things changed: comments went from 'hot' to 'FEED HER A CHEESEBURGER PLZ'; from 'nice model' to 'that is just gross'; from 'mmmm' to 'ANOREXIA', attacks on the photographer for photographing her and attacks on the model for making other women feel bad.
Today a third type of commenter has emerged; a backlash to the backlash, so to speak. Mixed in with the 'good on you' and 'work it girlfriend' messages, larger models are again being attacked but the tone has changed. Now people consider themselves doctors. Instead of 'ewwww' we get 'Why the fuck does everyone keep saying this is hot? This is unhealthy and by encouraging her you're only affirming her bad habits which are going to KILL HER!!!!!!! This is not hot! This is dangerous! GO FOR A FUCKING RUN AND STOP TELLING HER THIS IS A VALID LIFESTYLE CHOICE!' The skinny models have also seen a change: people are speaking out for them, defending their bodies and their health. 'I'm as skinny as that model and I eat constantly and never exercise. Women come up to me in the street and tell me to seek help for my anorexia and that I look sick. It feels like shit so maybe you should check your facts before you attack her.'
So this is my stance: kids, a stranger telling you that your body is 'gross', 'unhealthy' or 'dangerous', that you 'need to fucking eat something' or 'lay of the maccas' is not going to help anyone. It may make you, the commenter, feel better but that is all. You are not a dietitian or doctor, you do not know the full story behind someone's body type and thus comments such as this come off as ill-informed, judgmental and completely insensitive. Leave women to work out their own bodies and minds! Point and laugh at the bad photo shopping or call a models body 'gross' to your friends in the privacy of an offline conversation but please do not attack the model online or where she will read the comment! Do not think that you are helping anyone but yourself by doing this!
In short, be nice, be humane, be compassionate and be respectful. Look after yourself but not at the expense of someone else's mental health.
Thanks.
:thumb127298924:
:thumb126369391: :thumb117591813: 
Also, I don't think I've ever seen any muscular models, which is odd if someone's trying to capture images of the human condition
I was actually told to go die in a gutter with my children for posting my nude shots, how is that helping anyone or anything?
I have also had the "health" advise, my Dr. says I am healthy. Thank you but no thank you on dieting advise....
I always say I refuse to give anyone the power to make me feel bad about myself..... we all need to take the power for our feelings and self image back and not give anyone that power to use simple words to hurt.
Even I have to say, I'm naturally skinny, but I've always gotten so many comments from people thinking I'm anorexic or that I should just plump myself up more, but even there are the people that will have positive things to say as well.
Besides, as some people say, we're human beings, not objects.
I have myself been a skinny girl all my life and have heard more than once that I need to eat or that I look sick. Even in my childhood. I can't imagine that those comments are any less hurtful than being told that one is too large.
I've tried gaining weight in all kinds of ways without success. But I've just had to come to except the genes that my skeletor dad gave me. lol
I think we just need to relax a bit when it comes to body shapes. They come in all sizes and neither large or skinny doesn't necessarily mean that one is unhealthy.