Softcore pornography orsoftcore porn is commercial still photography,film, imagery, text or audio content that has apornographic orerotic component but which is less sexually graphic thanhardcore pornography, lackingsexual penetration and othersexual activities. It typically contains nude or semi-nude models or actors in suggestive poses or scenes, and is intended to besexually arousing andbeautiful in anaesthetic sense.
The distinction between softcore pornography anderotic photography, orerotic art such asVargas girlpin-ups, is largely a matter of debate. When the subject is naked, the image must be differentiated fromnude art, and photos belong within the broader category ofnude photography.
Softcore pornography may includesexual activity between two people ormasturbation. It does not contain explicit depictions ofsexual penetration,cunnilingus,fellatio,fingering,handjobs, orejaculation. Depictions oferections of thepenis may not be allowed, although attitudes towards this are ever-changing.[1]
Commercial pornography can be differentiated fromerotica, which hashigh-art standards and aspirations.[2]
Portions of an image that are considered too graphic may be hidden or obscured in a variety of ways, as by hair or clothing, intentionally-positioned hands or other body parts, artfully located foreground elements such as plants, pillows, furniture, or drapery, or by carefully chosen camera angles.
Pornographic filmmakers sometimes make both hardcore and softcore versions of a given film, with the softcore version using less explicit views of sex scenes[3] or using other techniques to tone down any objectionable features. For example, the softcore version of a given film may have been edited for the in-house hotelpay-per-view market.
Total nudity is currently commonplace in several magazines, as well as in photography[4] and on the Internet.
Softcore films are commonly less regulated and restricted than hardcore pornography, and cater to a different market. In most countries, softcore films are eligible for movie ratings, usually on a restricted rating, though many such films are also released unrated. As with hardcore films, availability of softcore films varies depending onlocal laws. Also, the exhibition of such films may be restricted to those above a certain age, typically 18. At least one country,Germany, has different age limits for hardcore and softcore pornography, softcore material usually receives a FSK-16 rating (no one under 16 is allowed to buy) and hardcore material receiving a FSK-18 (no one under 18 allowed to buy). In some countries, broadcasting of softcore films is widespread on cable television networks,[5] with some such asCinemax producing their own in-house softcore films and television series.
In some countries, images of women's genitals aredigitally manipulated so that they are not too "detailed".[6] An Australian pornographic actress says that images of her own genitals sold to pornographic magazines in different countries are digitally manipulated to change the size and shape of thelabia according to censorship standards in different countries.[7][8][9]
Originally, softcore pornography was presented mainly in the form ofmen's magazines, in both still photos and art drawings (such asVargas girls[10]), when it was barely acceptable to show a glimpse of a woman'snipple in the 1950s. By the 1970s, mainstream magazines such asPlayboy,Penthouse, and especiallyHustler showcased nudity.[4]
After the formation of theMPAA rating system in the United States and prior to the 1980s, numerous softcore films, with a wide range of production costs, were released to mainstream movie theatres, especiallydrive-ins.Emmanuelle[11] andAlice in Wonderland[12] received positive reviews from noted critics such asRoger Ebert.
Similarly, Softcore are pornographic images obscured to the point of obliteration, give the appearance of grey monochromes. The sexually charged imagery only emerges in feint detail within intimate distance.
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