Gazed and Confused
9/27/2024
I have been doing a little soul searching lately concerning my photography and my favorite subject, women.
Because I consider myself to be feminist, I am aware of some concepts of feminist theory, and one is particularly relevant to me as a photographer. It is called “The Male Gaze.”
“The Male Gaze” is a concept proposed by Laura Mulvey in 1975 concerning how women are depicted in cinema, especially by male, hetero filmmakers. It piggybacks on another theory based on the representation of women as passive subjects in European art. As best as I can figure it out the Male Gaze makes women into sexual and sensual objects for the viewing pleasure of men.
I will admit I enjoy an attractive lady, and I am not ashamed of that. Probably, it is some sort of brain chemistry thing where I get a jolt of Dopamine or something from that experience. If that translates through my photography, so be it. However, my hope is that my imagery is respectful of the person in front of my camera.
My thoughts wander to this area when I see photographs of women, especially scantily clad ladies, and I wonder “what’s the point?” Maybe there is no point. Not everything needs to have “meaning.” I’m not criticizing photographers who do so, and probably would love the opportunity to make some Cheesecake but I will always try to make something a little more “elevated.” (I'm watching too many cooking competition shows lately.)
When photographing anyone, I stress the collaborative nature of my shoots. I want all my subjects to have fun and to feel listened to and respected afterwards. My vision is informed through the culture I am immersed, and, sometimes, I try to circumvent some of the mores.
Where am I going with this? I don’t really know. I admire a variety of contemporary and historic photographers from a myriad of styles who do portrait, glamour, nude, and boudoir imagery, who approach the subject with a vision towards art and abstraction and having an idea of some sort for what people experience.
Let’s just say I am not actively trying to objectify anyone. If I do it is totally inadvertent and not my goal. I just want to make photos with some thought behind them.
source: Mulvey, Laura (Autumn 1975). "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema". Screen. 16 (3): 6–18. doi:10.1093/screen/16.3.6.
AI, AI, OH!
8/7/2024
Back in the ancient days, when I was still shooting film and developing it in my darkroom, I would often sketch out a picture before I actually shot it so I could fully visualize the pose, setting and especially the lighting. This process was part of the Lighting Design class I took way too many years ago. We were to come up with a drawing of a scene based on what the script of a play was suggesting. These sketches were usually done with white chalk, charcoal or pencil on black paper to have a visual representation of the lighting concept. This process translates perfectly to my style of photography.
Anyhoo… My sketching skills are sorely lacking these days. I had a profound creative dry spell, so my drawing abilities have atrophied over the years. Many of my recent drawings are not to the skill level I once had, and that was not all that high to begin with.
I decided to give Generative AI a try. To master the text prompt did not take long. Usually there are several attempts to fine tune the picture, and it never looks like what I want, but it is a good example I can show a model. It also allows me to stay focused on my vision.
There was one criticism when I mentioned this technique on FB. The person indicated this was bad for new models because it is dictating poses and doesn’t allow the model to learn how to pose. All I can say is the AI images I present to a model are a stepping off point. The model and I will need to come up with poses that will fit the overall concept. And to be frank, I suck at posing models so I need all the help I can get.
There are a few concepts I want to pursue, and I have AI pix for some of them. That will be for another blog post. AI may not be an artform in and of itself, I can see how it can help to fine tune or clarify concepts.
1/5/2024
Pictures Can Move
Who Knew?
I made a video. It is my third attempt at production and editing. There are a few things I would change but this is what I wanted to present.
My next project will be using the photos I took of Rochester Adult Ballet Company and their production of “A Nightmare Before Christmas”.
There will also be a promotional video of the band I play bass in, Double Down.
You can expect some more video work over the next months, and, with any luck, it can become another revenue stream.
12/27/2023
Photo Wish List 2024
Tame
Well Suited: https://pin.it/5lXkT3m
This idea has been rattling around in my mind for a while and I am thinking this would make a cool series with a variety of models. Women in Mens’ suits is a fascinating look. I am looking for a fashion style shoot, outdoors, daytime or evening, in a city setting. I have no specific female body type, or ethnicity in mind for this. We would look at thrift stores for a man’s suit that would fit you. Open to anyone. Collaboration shoot
Hats: https://pin.it/1DanZ8y
I love big floppy hats on a woman, especially with the right makeup and lighting. The plan is to work with you to choose and buy the perfect hat. Old Hollywood glamour vibe is the goal. Basically, looking to do a head shot with the dominant compositional element being the hat. The model will have strong lips and eye makeup with hair tied back. Studio, Open to anyone. Collaboration shoot
Mother/Daughter: https://pin.it/5ALscfF
Very formal shoot with one Mother/Daughter pair. Looking for elegance and sophistication yet presenting your personalities as best I can. If I can get dark dresses or gowns, I will be very happy. This is a studio shoot with flash lighting. Dark background. We will share the cost of a makeup artist for this shoot. Studio, Collaboration shoot
Kinda Risqué
Jewelry Shoot: https://pin.it/4MYCv6f Original Concept: Jewelry Concept (Revised).pdf
I am coming back to this idea because the original styling concept was not clear enough. The desired look will be much more jewelry saturated meaning more pieces on the models. Different skin tones are preferred. Specifically, I want a very dark woman for the pearls, medium dark for gold jewelry. I may spring for some costume “ruby,” “emerald” or “sapphire” pieces for the right light skinned person. Studio shoot. I want topless with nipple covers. The last time I did this, one of the models was in sweatpants. All shots will be waist up. I have a good quantity of pearls and I will look for some faux gold if I get any interest in this. Studio, Trade shoot
Pin Up Art: https://pin.it/77SpDAL
Let’s make some Kitch. With this concept, you pick a few different pieces of art you like, and we can emulate them as close as we can. There are a variety of paintings with the subjects being fully clothed to fully nude. We can change the nudes to suit your level of comfort by draping or even adding lingerie or pin up style dresses. These are jumping off points for your imagination. You know you want to create some Cheesy fun. Collaboration preferred.
Stone Texture: https://pin.it/7zwvrrL
This is where the 3 Graces concept from last year germinated. What I envision is a statuesque model nude but covered in wet fabric. The wet is to have it cling to the skin. I will use light fabrics, and I want to see how distinct colors work for this. I want to use white, black, and red. We might try outdoors or in the studio. Fit or muscular models are preferred but I am willing to consider most individuals expressing interest. Collaboration preferred.
Quite Risque
Playboy Inspired Boudoir: https://pin.it/5PgjgPn
I grew up reading Playboy. Yes, I even dug the articles as a youth. Much of my esthetics around pinup/glamour photography is based on what I saw in the magazine. If you look at the images on the Pinterest board you will find these are very modest, implied nudes. These can be a mix of studio and location shoots. For the right person, I will consider hiring a makeup artist to get that 1950s-70s look. Open to anyone. Collaboration preferred.
Implied Beach Nude: https://pin.it/1lhJY59
Early morning Summer beach shoot, around sunrise. I have a very particular idea involving a blanket, The concept I have is not entirely represented by the board, but some are close. The AI Generated Concept Sketches Sub Board are a little closer to the original idea. It involves the model sitting on the blanket, knees bent with her torso pressed against her thighs, with the part of the blanket she is not sitting on pulled up over her back and shoulders. If you are interested, this whole shoot should take just a few minutes however, we can expand it once I get the shots I envision, we can work on other less risqué things. Preferred Collaboration
Alfred Cheney Johnston/Early 20th Century Showgirl Glamour https://pin.it/1rhhbmu
Let’s make some early 20th Century Glamour from the emergence of Jazz, Flappers and Burlesque. The images will be based on the linked boards, but I am not interested in reproducing them exactly. The part I am fascinated with is the models interacting with the scenery. The other important aspect of this concept is the use of dancers as models. (or trained gymnasts) What I see here is how the models use their hands in a delicate dance like manner. That is a detail important to the final feel. If you are a dancer or know someone who is, please refer them to this blog post. I am open to anyone for this, but preference will be given to dancers. Collaboration preferred.
12/5/2023
The Speech
There are things that piss me off about photography. More precisely, a particular type of photographer.
Creepers.
These photographers are an ugly blemish on the field. And that is a stereotype used often in Crime Dramas with the photographer being some sort of sexual predator. The unfortunate fact is there are some bad actors and they cast us all in a negative light.
These guys (yes, guys. Not that women are not guilty of this type of misbehavior, but I am unaware of any local incidences), these guys will enter dressing rooms, inappropriately touch models or clients, ask for dates or sexual favors among other distasteful behaviors.
In no way am I capable of altering others' conduct. I can only work by supplying a safe space for everyone.
I want to be one of the “go to” photographers for Boudoir and Glamour. And if I have a bad reputation, that will not happen. That is why I try to open each photography session with “The Speech.” I truly try to live by this credo, and I think all photographers who want to represent themselves’ with the highest level of professionalism and empathy should adopt a similar philosophy. By the way, this applies to EVERYONE on my sets, and I will remove any transgressors.
The Speech
I will only get great photos if the model is comfortable. If I say or do anything violating any of your boundaries, you have a right and responsibility to call me out on my bullshit. A photo shoot should be in a fun and safe environment. You are allowed an escort at a shoot and are encouraged to have one. (They often get pressed in to helping for the shoot.)
You have the right to refuse any posing or costuming or situations you feel uncomfortable with. If you do not feel safe, feel over exposed or exploited, you have a right to refuse that request, even if it was previously agreed upon. I will stick to the previously discussed concept and parameters we talked about prior to our session; however, you may change your mind anytime.
I will not touch you without permission. Usually, I have no need to have any physical contact with the model or sitter, however, I may need to move a lock of hair or some other minor tweak, but I will ask if I can before anything like that occurs.
Even if we are shooting some sort of nude, the dressing room is a sacred space, and I will not enter when you are in there.
A photo shoot with me is a collaborative endeavor and I will entertain ideas brought to me by the creative team. Often, the best photos from a shoot are not the ones initially conceptualized. If you want to see something let me know. I am open to your ideas.
If you have not received “The Speech”, I apologize for this transgression. You certainly do deserve the same assurances and respect.
11/22/2023
This Image Represents Failure
You might not think it does, but I do. There is nothing wrong with it for the most part. I am sure if it was put up for a critique some would find some aspect to improve, but those elements are not what I have issue with. My problem is me.
Before I get into it, I want to fill you in on the concept. As I was exploring a different idea, I stumbled upon the Three Graces. Follow this link for the full concept and the people involved: 3 Graces 6-24-23.pdf Anyway, there is quite a few examples of the Three Graces in Art. There is a particular image I was wanting to interpret through photography. Pinterest
Often depicted nude or in gauzy fabric as in the above Pinterest link, I decided for a social media “friendly” image that would have the models clothed with one of the Graces topless with her back to the camera. In the process of shooting this I wanted a variety of different looks around the property we were on. What eventually happened was I didn’t ask the model to pose topless. I have trouble asking for what I want even if it is agreed to beforehand. She was aware of what I wanted but it was my responsibility to ask and remind her. In addition, I was distracted by coordinating all the other elements of the shoot but the reality of it is my own inhibitions ultimately sabotaged my ambitions.
It has happened before. I don’t want to compromise anyone’s comfort. And the feelings of others are more important than mine. This is something I deal with on a daily basis and I am getting better about just asking for things. I have done a few shoots since this one and have asked the models for uncomfortable poses, like sitting on awkward rocks or running around Downtown Rochester, at night, in a Playboy Bunny costume. There is always a discussion pertaining my expectations for a particular shoot. Models who have worked with me know my little speech I give before we get into it, which will be the subject of my next post.
So what I learned from the above experience is to stay focused on how I see the final image. As long as the persons in front of my camera are aware of my intentions beforehand I should not be reticent asking for already indicated and agreed upon poses and costuming or, lack there of.