Which sets do you prefer, straight shoots or concept pieces?

Had a wee search to see if this question had already been asked, and best I could find was a rant against straight shoots, so I'm here to ask the question which do y'all prefer:

• Straight shoots - A model, an outfit, pictures


• Concept pieces - A model, a theme/story, pictures

Obviously you can like both But which, if any, do you prefer to see? Personally, I adore concept pieces. A few fantastic examples of which being "Fight Club", my absolute favourite set I've seen so far (by photographer Cherry). "Aqua-Matrix", a fun shoot with lots of really interesting angles and action shots (by photographer Photogram). And finally "Savage repose" a really strong character piece (by photographer Sureality).

For me these are what make the difference between SG and other sites. It gives a girl the opportunity to put her personality into the set, as well as the pictures individually with her look/style. I feel far more involved and interested when a set has a strong theme.

Your thoughts?

I like concept pieces. I like when a girl is a character, either one she made up or one we're familiar with. I like when there is a story, costime, scenery, props, etc. It shows how much effort was put into the whole thing, not just "hey I have a camera, let's get naked!" (Not that all straight shoots are like that of course, I know a lot of planning - usually - goes into those as well.)

I just like creativity.

Umm... concept sets, but with a caveat. I'd rather see a good straight set than a poorly-executed concept set.

I like the straight sets. "hey I have a camera, let's get naked!" works for me. And the more amateurish the better, to my tastes.

I like both but lean towards concept, but only if they are executed well. Concept is more fun and interesting, also I will remember it more than just a straight set.

I like concept type sets. For the most part they're creative and fun.

I like concept sets but really only when they're done by an established SG.

But also what Dot said.

But that's like, nigh on every set, isn't it?

ALL OF THE ABOVE!

...depends on the model.

yep.

it doesn't have to be a full on story with heavy costume and props, but to obviously have put more thought and creativity into a set always draws me in.

i feel like too often, sets are just trying to hit a certain checklist of poses and angles and smiles and so on...and are so minimal as to lack any personality whatsoever.

Another fine example, again from photographer Cherry is "Lost in Space" featuring Radeo. Gorgeous set up. Everything from the pictures to the video just scream personality, it's an epic set.

You're so right here. I mean a model can definitely put across a lot of her personality in her pose and shot angles, but really what gives me more of an insight is if they've clearly thought up a theme, no matter how simple. It's like anyone can do any manner of poses, but not everyone can encapsulate one of their favourite things on film, AND make it damn sexy.

I like naked ladies.

emphasis on well executed.

agreed, unless hot chicks are rolling around on my bed for a month straight...
plus a lot of the well executed concepts are really unique and show off the girls personality, which i always like to see

Well, according to this set there's about an even mix of people who love straight and concept sets.

I like both, but I looove concept sets. Maybe more fp concept in balance with the straight ones would perk everyone up?

I don't necessarily have a preference, but I like sets with a definite mood, and a lot of obviously well thought-out details. Sometimes there's little more to that than a good location, an evocative title, nice clothes, and great modeling. Sometimes there is a larger concept and/or story to the photos.

Recent examples of sets like this I love are Lavonne's Pure Morning, Annalee's Natural History, Mnemozyne's Cinnabar, Lumo's Venus Anadyomene, Pilot's Landing Strip, and Alle's Wellington Tunnel. They don't look like they were extremely expensive or complicated to pull off, but they're expressive, unique, beautiful, and say a lot about the model's personality.