emotions.confused

[wispfox]

[jasra posting for one confused wispfox]

I am entirely failing to understand why the picture of me looking at my shoes (my scary, scary shoes!) got such good responses. Yes, slinky dress. But there are two others I have worn recently, one of which there are pictures of, and it seems like this picture is still somehow especially notable. _And I don't understand why_!

jasra attempted to explain this to me; something about slinky dress combining with looking down being demure or something[*]. But... (long pause) I... (another long pause) don't understand. I am so confused.

I suspect strongly that this relates to my general confusion relating both to pictures in general and to non-verbal communication. Also, possibly to the fact that it's only been in the last 5-6 years that I've had _any_ idea what kinds of clothing looks good on me (and what kinds of clothing I like).

Did I mention confused? I fail my comprehension roll. In fact, I might even have rolled a 1.

[*] Note from jasra: What I actually said was that the strong contrast between the sexy dress and her looking down, in a demure looking pose was what made this picture.

Comments

[okoshun.livejournal.com]

I think that it was less the fact that you were looking down and more your posture accentuating the curviness of your hips and you also look comfortable and relaxed? Maybe?

[fredcritter.livejournal.com]

I gotta agree with you--it's the curviness plus the comfortable and relaxed. Definitely the curviness, definitely.

[regyt.livejournal.com]

I like the butt-wiggly one better, because it looks more fun.

[leiacat.livejournal.com]

The butt-wiggle shows off the dress nicely, but not you - you're somewhere in there, but who can tell?

As for the formal, heck with demure. That photo has cleavage. And boobies = universal acclaim. (The Vamping photo in the same series is even better, I think. Did people ignore that one, or did they not see it?). Also, because of the glasses and the shadows, in that one it looks like you _might_ be looking up from under the glasses, in which case it's seriously sultry, and not even close to demure.

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

I do not know if they did not see, or ignored, the vamping one (I note that my reaction to it was to ask what vamping _was_. :).

On the plus side, the 'not seemingly aware of the camera' aspect others have mentioned made sense to me!

[madbodger.livejournal.com]

Yeah, what she said. Especially the vamping one.

[leiacat.livejournal.com]

Why does it only surprise me slightly that you two know each other? Tiny, tiny world.

[madbodger.livejournal.com]

I'm actually not sure if we know each other, but we did find each other
on LJ!

[techempage.livejournal.com]

Is curvy and gives a hint of submissiveness with that peekture...

[dancingwolfgrrl.livejournal.com]

I think the hand on the hip is often regarded as sexy,partly because it says "look! I have hips!" There's also cleavage and some muscle definition, both of which are often well-received.

But truly, hotness is a thing of great mystery.

[siderea]

Wait... now I'm confused. Maybe it's because I'm on a slow modem, and haven't looked at many pictures, but you seem to be comparing a dress which shows a lot of skin with a dress which shows no skin, thereby raising the question, "why is there any question?" What am I missing?

[siderea]

P.S., you are aware of that fundamental theorem of physics, "As dress -> 0, sexy -> ∞", right?

[metahacker.livejournal.com]

It is, however, asymptotic; if dress = 0, that's just nudity. (I also happen to disagree with the rule in general, but perhaps that's just me.)

I just read a great line on the subject from Theodore Sturgeon, something to the effect of, "our clothing covers us to the extent that removing any would flatter us less."

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

I... _think_ I'm aware of that, yes? But apparently I don't always remember it. :)

[nex0s.livejournal.com]

I think people respond to the looking down one because you aren't performing in that picture. you are not concious of the camera - or don't seem to be - and seem relaxed and comfortable, and that is very sexy.

n.

[greyduck.livejournal.com]

There's definitely a demure, not posing for the camera, not mugging it up, relaxed, pretty thing going on there. All of the above, or some combination thereof, I'd say.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

It's not the looking down at all, for me. That dress just really flatters your curves well, is much clingier than you usually wear.

[crazybone.livejournal.com]

Ayuh. Gonna have to go with siderea on this one. The more skin the betterer or something.

[randysmith]

My first thought was "cleavage". My second thought was "more skin". I could go on about the demure, and I think there's some effect there, but skin, and particular tantalizing breast views, I suspect are more relevant. But I may be projecting :-}.

[randysmith]

I also liked the "tada!" shot of you in this dress, BTW.

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

The which shot?

[randysmith]

This one. You just have a "Here I am!" kind of look to how you're holding out your hands :-}.

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

Aaaaah. Yes. :)

[marmota.livejournal.com]

I'd say it's a good photo because it captures a moment of you being yourself, not artificially poised or posed. The halloween party photos are also good, for different reasons.

[moominmolly.livejournal.com]

I'd agree with this. Sexy candid shot.

[drwex]

Thirded. It's a very sexy dress, and the picture shows off both the dress and your curves to good advantage. The win of this one over the butt pic is your face, which permits me as a person to connect with you, as a person, through my memory of talking with you and other times I've seen your face. Humans are incredibly sensitive (not to mention biologically tuned) to faces and expressions.

[the-xtina.livejournal.com]

It's the phase of the moon.  We're all bats.  Literally.  Kind of affects our typing.

[australian-joe.livejournal.com]

I think it's the hand on the hip while the hip is being a bit jaunty.

FWIW, I don't get "demure" from it. if anything, "faint exasperation". 8-)

It might be that the line of your sides looks rather different when in a huggy dress than in jeans or chunky shorts.

[metahacker.livejournal.com]

jaunty
line of your sides

This is on to something. Your pose, while natural, is more non-linear; hips out to the side, etc. This sort of thing accentuates the body in ways that standing straight doesn't. But in the next shot where you *try* to do that, the effect is lost, so it may have to do with the combination with "relaxed". We all know what you look like, and mugging for the camera isn't it -- people are most attractive when they look like themselves, having fun...

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

Yep; the explanation of relaxed/not being silly in reaction to the camera/etc has finally de-confused me.

And, FWIW, not everyone reading me has ever met me. :)

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

It might be that the line of your sides looks rather different when in a huggy dress than in jeans or chunky shorts.

Yes, but this doesn't differentiate this one from the rest in the group, or the other ones with me in a clingy dress. :)

(this, at least, I already understood)

[australian-joe.livejournal.com]

No, I think the line *was* a bit different, what with your hand on a hip, and (as others have said) being in a more natural vs posed/aware/self-conscious position.

[blemt.livejournal.com]

I'll play semi-pro photographer for a minute and see if I can help. :)

You are in a classic "studio" pose in that shot. Because your eyes are away from the camera and focused on the dress, it pulls the viewer's eye to the dress and your figure. Your crooked arm on the hip indicates a level of relaxation and invites further evaluation of the dress. The hint of shoe at the bottom of the shot.

Your expression shows amusement and relaxation. It's a nice change of pace from more formal shots.

There. :) I'll just go back to muddying other waters. :)

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

Huh! Interesting; definitely things I would never have considered. Thank you. :)

[majes.livejournal.com]

Did I mention confused? I fail my comprehension roll. In fact, I might even have rolled a 1.

Ah, but in my system, dearheart, a 1 is a critical success. Thus what has occurred is that you have gained mind-blowing insight into the matter, beyond that of normal human comprehension. It will just take a while for your mind to sort out this valuable unique insight. However, once done, you will be the master of all comprehension, capable of perceiving subtleties far beyond those graspable by mortal beings.

[ian-gunn.livejournal.com]

Oh, I can see that one being very popular. Its a number of little elements all adding up, the slight lean to one side with the hip out, hand on that hip, a little hint of a grin/smirk, head leaning forward with the eyes on the camera. It all adds up to flirting pose. If your head was only leaning slightly forward vs. looking down, and to one side with your eyes on the viewer it would be a classic "come hither" look.

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

But I'm not looking at the camera in that one! *confsued*

[ian-gunn.livejournal.com]

I should be more clear, it *appears* like you have your eyes toward the camera, or are about to look up toward it. Possibly it is that an onlooker could be anticipating/hopeful that you were about to look up at them.

[sinboy.livejournal.com]

Boobies.