Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (July 2019): Dasha and Mari K. [NSFW]

Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (July 2019): Dasha and Mari K. [NSFW]

The Fstoppers community is brimming with creative vision and talent. Every day, we comb through your work, looking for images to feature as the Photo of the Day or simply to admire your creativity and technical prowess. In 2019, we're featuring a new photographer every month, whose portfolio represents both stellar photographic achievement and a high level of involvement within the Fstoppers community.

This month's winners are Dasha and Mari K.! Their work is notable for its fascinating storytelling and unforgettable style. Be sure to check out our favorite shots of theirs below and give them a follow to see their full portfolio. They're now in the running for Fstoppers Community Photographer of the Year!

How to Be Chosen

Remember, in 2019, we'll be featuring a photographer chosen from the community every month. At the end of the year, the Fstoppers Community Photographer of the Year will be chosen from the 12 monthly winners, with the overall winner getting a tutorial of their choice from the Fstoppers store. Check out the rules to be chosen: 

  1. You must have uploaded an image to your portfolio in the past 30 days to be selected.
  2. For the year-end award, you must have remained active in the Fstoppers community by uploading an image at least once every 60 days.

See Past Photographers of the Month

You can see all Photographers of the Month here.

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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16 Comments

Beautiful images....

Help me out here..

If the models weren’t showing nipple, would these photos still have been showcased as Photog of the Month?

I’m not a fine art photog, I don’t “get it” a lot of times with art, so I’m hoping someone can explain to me what’s up. All I see when I look at these photos is boobs. Instinctually or not, their the first thing my eye goes to, and it’s the only thing I really look at when I see these photos.

The environments I’m not sure what story they tell, especially the bridge shot. If she were fully clothed, would it be equally as good of a photo? It seems like the photo is all about her chest.

I’ve never understood nude photography, what am I missing here?

Agreed. Unless the story is boobs, which is in my top 3 favorite stories ever, then I also don't get it. If the women were fully clothed in the shots, I honestly don't think anyone would spend a lot of time looking at the shots. Is there some lighting technique, pose, or concept I am not seeing? Not that they are bad by any means, just simply not anything I haven't seen before.

--"If the models weren’t showing nipple, would these photos still have been showcased as Photog of the Month?"

Most likely since visible nipples are not a requirement. Here's the full list throughout the years:

https://fstoppers.com/potm

I'm aware of that. He was questioning/insinuating the nipples had something to do being showcased as Photographer of the Month. I was just showing him, no.

"All I see when I look at these photos is boobs. Instinctually or not, their the first thing my eye goes to, and it’s the only thing I really look at when I see these photos."

At the risk of coming across snarky, this sounds less like an issue with the photographs and more like an issue with you.

And I'm not trying to be snarky. I'm truly flummoxed by the idea that, in these images, the only thing you seem to see is "boobs."

I find 99% of nudes to be extremely cliché, i dont "get it" either.

What you are missing, you uncultured swine, is a refined appreciation of the human figure.

Kidding. I don't get a lot of nude photography either. But I also cannot knock it for the same reason.

To be fair, I doubt that the photographer(s) are trying to exploit some giddy thrill people might get out of seeing boobs. We are on the internet, bare breasts are this mediums equivalent of showing ankle at the turn of the last century.

I think the images are well composed. The modelling by the models is attractive, I especially like the one titled "Royal Tea", it gives me a sense of intimacy. The lightning it pleasing. There is nothing ground-breaking here, although I am no expert in this type of photography.

If the breasts are a distraction, make an effort to simply see them as one part of the images and critique the rest of the image on the other relevant criteria. I don't understand what is not to get about nude photography. Humans find human nudity attractive and appealing, it isn't a huge surprise it would find its way into art.

On a snide side note, having a name like "Jon The Baptist" and complaining about nudity makes one think you might be being a little bit of a prude who resents some real or imagined attempt to exploit your baser instinct by exposing you to female nudity.

This is the most beautiful and artistic thing I've seen on Fstoppers in months. Congratulations to Dasha and Mari K.

Art is subjective, not everyone will get it and that's OK. Asking if these would have still been nominated if they showed less skin misses the point, the sensuality is an essential part of the artistic expression here.

Beautiful images. Some people will never get it. And that's ok.

Just saying "I don't get it" is not constructive criticism...
These images are beautiful, tasteful, and show quality work with lighting, editing, composition.
Also, what's up with all the prudes in the comments? Human body is a piece of art, get your mind out of the gutter and appreciate the form, the curves and the vulnerability.

I think a hint of nudity goes much farther than nudity itself. What you can't see is sexier than what you can, imo.

.

I have been following Dasha and Mari for years since the old Photodom (sadly missed ) days. It's wonderful to see them here.

Showing boobs does not make for great photography. It's the human condition and natural draw to upvote anything showing skin. Pretty pathetic and sad if you ask me. The work is good, but is it THAT good? Not so sure. I'd bet that if there were no boobs showing, these would not be ranked quite so high.