Active or Relaxed
active
/ˈaktɪv/
adjective
engaging or ready to engage in physically energetic pursuits.
"although he was seventy he was still robust and active"
pursuing an occupation or activity at a particular place or in a particular way.
"the artist was active in the 1920s"
relaxed
/rɪˈlakst/
adjective
free from tension and anxiety.
"we were having a great time and feeling very relaxed"
(of a muscle or other body part) not tense.
"make sure that your jaw is relaxed"
Within this project I want to explore the theme of human sexuality through this lens of lust being both an active and passive state of humanity.
Within this project I will focus on the different ways in which sex it viewed in its active state of sex as an inherently driven action and in its passive state of sex as a thing that runs through people and places and that our sexuality is an inherent part of us and not something that gets "turned on"
I want to use this project to humanize and normalize sex and fetish and the way we view the human form.
much of the world views the human form and nudity as a something to be ashamed of something to hide but i believe it to be something that should be celebrated and viewed as its own form of art.
I want to look at the idea of the lesser spoken about and displayed parts of kink and sex and shine a light on the beauty of it.
Primary Resources
This is a picture I took in a fetish gear shop in Barcelona
This was from a wall with a set of photos that showed of the products in a fetish ger shop in Barcelona
A Photo of my leather boots
This is a picture I took in a fetish gear shop in Barcelona
Secondary Resources
@HeroAddy
HeroAddy is a Bristol based artist who explores human form and sexuality through the medium of Black and white digital art with an isolated colour highlight.
I had the pleasure of meeting them in person and getting to ask about their work and later over message
I like how this piece plays on the inherent duality of linguistics and how kink language often adds a dual meaning to everyday language. I love the juxtaposition of the black and white artwork with the teal of the text that creates this warm feeling to the piece. The fine details of the nipple piercings create a really nice shift in line thickness that allows for the thicker shadow lines to have more of an effect as it makes a more steady gradient of thickness.
I like how this piece is clearly another image created using the same reference as the first image but uses more detail that the previous one and instead of being about how we find specific features attractive this piece instead acts as an appreciation of the attractiveness of the model and how they exude this power and how the linework creates this full but not overwhelmingly busy image that acts as a reflection of the way the model controls the piece and equally balances the focus between their face and body.
I like how this piece despite being censored has this intense almost primal feeling of dominance and power being exuded by the model, the use of solid black linework emphasizes the body hair and creates this almost anonymity to the piece that I believe is meant to represent the way we as people view attractive features, such as body hair, and how to us as people we often visualize the traits we find attractive more intensely than a persons other features. I believe that by removing the face and just focusing on the body hair this creates that effect
I like how this piece has the ropes and hood as a section of isolated colour that almost creates the effect of kink gear as something that adds joy or colour to our lives and creates this really gorgeous effect of the deep almost emerald green that makes a really rich palette to the image. The majority being in shadow creates this depth to the image that combines with the colored highlights creates a really smooth cohesive design.
shoot 1
contact sheet
press to expand
For this shoot I want to focus on this idea of passive/relaxed dominance in the same way the artist does as they often have this air of dominance to their pieces without having to have the model actively being dominant. to achieve this I'm going to have my model in a low lit studio to create chiaroscuro lighting that will allow for the edits to mimic that line art style a lot more effectively as the deeper and more juxtaposing shadow will allow for the posturize tool to have a wider range oof shadow to work with creating a more crisp and clear line.
For this shoot I had the amazing pleasure of having the artis themselves as my model and got to work with them personally which was a great experience and made it so my edits reflected both my own personal style but also showed the influence of this artist.
For this edit I dropped the saturation turning the image black and white and then used the polygon lasso tool to cut the background and replace it wish a blank white background to look more sleek.
I then used the brightness and contrast tool to make the the shadows more defined and the highlights lighter so that when I then posturize the image it has a more defined style that combines both the original art style and my personal style
For this edit I started by using the polygon lasso tool to cut away the background and leave just the model. i then adjusted the saturation turning the image black and white.
Then used the brightness and contrast tool to make the the shadows more defined and the highlights lighter so that when I then posturize.
For this edit I adjusted the saturation to try and bring out the colour then used the brightness and contrast tool to make the the shadows more defined and the highlights lighter so that when I then posturize.
For this edit I started by using the polygon lasso tool to cut away the background and leave just the model. I then adjusted the saturation to bring out the rich colour from the lighting, I then posturized the image to create the final effect.
shoot 2
contact sheet
press to expand
For this shoot I want to focus on this idea of active submission, how we demonstrate submission. to achieve this I will use a low lighting level and a coloured lamp leaning more into how the artist played around with their use of colour in some of their other works. I intend to keep the editing to a minimal other than cropping and slight colour adjusting as i want the composition to take main stage.
I'm going to use a midrange shot for this focusing more on the angle as a high angle creates this sense of superiority to the piece and almost puts the viewer in the role of the dominant party.
I decided I'm going to use purple as my accent colour as purple has a history of representing the queer community as lavender was often used to represent gay men and often used to label more passive gay men.
For this shoot I again was able to work with the photographer as my model which was an amazing experience.
For these shoots I did end up only cropping them as they turned out how I wanted and I feel that they reflect the them I was going for
I wish I inverted the colours of the background and model
I like how this piece mimics the line-work of the artist
I like how this piece focuses on shadows within the piece
I wish I inverted the colours of the background and model
I like the use of a leading line to imply more to the scene
I like the way you can see the joy and freedom on the models face despite it being covered
I like how it looks close to the first image but between the subtle pose change and the framing you can see this different emotion
I like the use of a leading line to imply more to the scene
I love how the study of this artist allowed for me to combine typical and atypical portraiture, and use each to explore the ideas and themes of active submission and passive dominance creating this idea that kink and sex can exists in an active and relaxed state.
The work of this artist will definitely change the way I look at colour and line work both in drawing and in photography.
I think while my work can clearly be seen to be inspired by their work I think I also managed to stay true to my style.
I think the section of this artists work that I will utilize in my own style is the strong use of line and the positioning of models to signify power dynamics.
This dynamic of the audience being an active participant is something I want to pursue with my next photography but in a less included role.
I love the idea of looking through a more thought based lens for the viewer, looking at this idea of having the viewer fill in the blanks.
Here are some of the works i considered
This is my favorite image from the artist as I love how the dynamic between an artwork and the viewer and how the artist is able to create a piece that almost brings the viewer into a scene, this creates a sense of intimacy and familiarity to the piece. The line work of the hair fills the space without making it feel over crowded.
I also just love the way the piece is presented with the direct eye contact creating this intensity.
Barret-Forster
i like how this piece makes it clear what is being sone but makes the viewer confront it
however i have no ide how i would mimic this
I couldn't find the creator of this piece sadly
I think this is my favorite of my response pieces as it isn't just a pure copy of my artist but instead is a clear combination of my style that utilizes strong and bold colour and texture with my artist who utilizes strong colour and line. I think the leash adds a depth of line that is insanely strong, whilst the shadow mimics the block coloring of my artists work without feeling like an abject copy.
I think if I was to retake this photo I would change to a slightly more face on angle to really capture the silhouette.
if I was to reedit this piece I think I would increase the contrast to get a bolder line.
Stefan Thiel
i love how the image is inexplicit yet still tells the story.
Stefan Thiel
Stefan Thiel is a German artist who makes his works by creating large-scale paper cut-outs creating silhouettes, often of men engaging in sexual and intimate acts, that critics have described as "using delicate silhouettes to reveal and conceal simultaneously." his work combines drawing and photography creating an emphasis on the sculpting of the lines using light and shadow.
I like how this piece makes it obvious that it is meant to be a mirror and is clearly meant to represent someone taking a picture of their genitals the purpose though is left up to the viewers.
I feel that the silhouette is more effective than if it was just a photo as it makes the viewer engage in the picture and allows for their imagination to run wild a little.
I think the balanced leaning lines makes it so the viewer's attention is kept in the middle of the piece rather than guiding their view around the piece like an unbalanced leading line.
For this image I like how the studs and metal highlights are left white as I feel that this creates a texture to the models gear and creates this rich depth and makes the person feel more powerful. The silhouette creates this anonymity to the model which creates this idea that this Dom could be anyone which makes it almost feel like a life goal almost advertisement for the Dom lifestyle. The monochromatic style creates this idea of power but in a sleek simplistic way almost selling the Dom lifestyle as a simple solution to issues and portrays kink as an escapism.
I like how this piece has a really distinct silhouette that makes it clear that the man is naked but doesn't show anything explicit, the clear line and monochromatic palette creates this quite dominance to the piece. The simple framing creates this almost sticker or logo-esque style this is the main thing I like about the artist style. I think that the chain creates a silhouetted texture that acts as a leading line and draws your eyes up the image and due to the upwards motion almost forcing the viewer to take on the submissive role in the metaphorical interaction.
I like how this image plays on the masculine and feminine stereotypes but still makes it apparent that this is a homosexual scenario, the artist used the distinct silhouette of the heels to create the illusion of the femme whilst the traditional American football uniform creates the mass. These two depictions create a subtle yet impactful balance that guides the viewer around the image following the leading
shoot 1
For this first shoot I wanted to directly mimic the artists work looking at using contraceptives instead of a person as my model as this represents the passive discarding of contraceptives when a person is relaxed after sex creating this casual nature of the post-sex period.
Unlike the artist though I wanted to emphasize the casual nature of the after period and make the viewer think about how they treat a sexual partner after the fun is done are they quick to discard them like a used condom or do they take the time for after care. to achieve this i will pose some of the condoms neatly and just throw some directly onto the photography paper.
While the artist uses silhouettes and cut-outs to create their work I will use photograms as it will create the same sort of effect and allow me to manipulate the condoms on a flat surface.
Since I am using direct object photograms there will be no editing.
shoot 2
For my second shoot I want to focus on the condom packets and PrEP bottles instead of the open contents as I want this shoot to represent the the active preparation for sex and the idea of having a mental or physical checklist that you go through before sex.
I wanted this shoot to contrast the theming of the last one and instead be focused on emphasizing the preparedness of sex and instead make the viewer confront how safe they are with sex and how much they prepare for a partner and if they are not safe is that a reflection on themselves or how much they value their sexual partner.
For this shoot i will use cyanotypes to create the piece as the blue effect creates this idea of it being earlier in the evening when the sky is still blue and not yet deep enough to appear the inky black of the photograms.
Since I am using cyanotypes there will be no editing to the final piece
shoot review
shoot 1
shoot 2
For this shoot I think the results where exactly what I wanted, if I was to do this again I think I would use a small amount of UV reactive paint to highlight parts of the image to mimic how semen reacts under a black light to deepen the effect of the image.
For this shoot I feel that it wasn't the most effective and that the results where actually quite disappointing, If I was to do this again I would instead do another photogram shoot instead of cyanotypes as I believe that that is one of the reasons that it felt less effective in comparison to shoot 1. I also feel that I would change my subject to be something with a bolder and more recognizable shape such as an anal douche, anal plug or cock ring.
i love how the study of this artist made me consider my use of shape in a more detailed and intricate way.
I think that the primary thing that will effect my style the most is I will consider silhouette a lot more than I had previously as I acknowledge that I often focus more on how the texture and the model themselves make the photo and often disregard the shape and silhouette of the pose. I love how this artist allowed me to explore the theme of contraception as both an active and passive part of sex and also allowed me to almost text what the viewer knows about different types of protection .
This is my favorite piece of the artists work as I love the way it plays on the duality of the gender spectrum and has such a distinct silhouette. The position creates such a visible power balance but also a softer intimacy.
this is my favourite piece i did recreating his work as i love the distinct line work and folds of the condom and how it creates a very obvious silhouette. i like the increasing in size of the condoms as it creates two possible deviating storylines.
one being a pair of lovers losing stamina throughout a passionate night.
the other being a person comparing sizes of their lover.
this duality forces the viewer to engage more with the image.
For my next artist I want to focus on the way I used PReP in this shoot as a way of highlighting the way that queer sex is less talked about and seen as more taboo than heterosexual sex.
i wanted to use the lens of history and specifically queer history to explore this theme.
Here are some of the works I considered:
Hal Fischer
I like how his work explores queer culture in a deeper and more historic way than a lot of art.
Tom o Finland
I love how his work explores the naval and military origins of leather and queer culture.
Hal Fischer
Hal Fischer is an artist who focuses mainly on queer art his most famous piece being his book entitled Gay Semiotics and this is the series of work that drew me to his work and how it acts as almost a guide to being queer and kinky.
I like how this piece creates equal balance to both the written aspect of the image and also the visual aspect of the picture. I love how the texture difference of the denim and the soft cotton of the handkerchief balance each other to create this depth and richness to the piece. I like how the jeans create a natural contouring line to the model what emphasizes the position of the handkerchief. I think the nature of the monochromatic style creates this almost medical journal feeling that places emphasis on the text.
I like how this image uses the physically of the two models to represent the sadist and the masochist, they have the masochist presented by this soft clean shaven twink creating this very submissive atmosphere and the sadist represented by this rough hairy man creating this dominance around him. I love how the two models create a curving line that balances the viewer's gaze between the two making this image feel well balanced. The text is the first place the viewer's attention is brought thus influencing their opinion of the piece as it gives the written context before the viewer sees the piece itself.
I like how this piece only shows the object and instead of having a model suspended in the piece they have a dotted almost mannequin-like silhouetted form, this creates an almost Ikea-manual style that creates an informative value to the image. I love how the harsh texture of the brick and wood is juxtaposed by the soft texture of the silk sheets it almost presents the two sides of kink within itself, the idea of softer aftercare and the rough activity.
I love how this image presents the iconic "leather daddy" aesthetic of the queer community as an almost checklist of items , that are in this image almost presented as a historical analysis sheet, this creates a sense of almost helping as if this is a sheet that would be given to a new gay guy to help him select his aesthetic. I like how the heavy texture of the brick wall contrasts the softer leather of the models gear creating this lovely balance that almost presents the Dom in the image as a softer figure creating this idea of a Dom, whilst being rough and kinky, as a layer of safety against the outside world.
shoot 1
contact sheet
press to expand
For this shoot i wanted to take more of a direct inspiration but put a modern twist on it as the handkerchief code, claimed to be established by Mr. S founder Alan Selby, has evolved to be a large method of cruising within the gay community.
I want to place the various handkerchiefs of the flagging code into pockets of jeans and photograph them with an almost extreme close up.
I wanted to not mimic the text aspect of his work as I wanted to essentially keep this part for only the people who knew the history as it acts as almost a way of preserving this part of historical gay culture.
I wanted to keep the editing minimal only cropping the images and nothing more as i felt that the texture could be lost if over edited.
shoot 2
For the second shoot i wanted to combine the style of two parts of his work being the sex furniture shoots that had no model with the handkerchief shoot to create a hybrid that feels more like an alleyway covered in handkerchiefs as if the houses on either side where hanging out their kinks to dry after using them.
I want to go down one of the alleyways in the city center and run some string between the drainpipes and things to create a fake washing line for the hankeys to hang off
for editing I want to make the back of the alley out of focus so you are forced to only look at the hankeys and those who know the history will understand the meaning and those who dont will see it in more of a surrealist light.
shoot 2 revised
contact sheet
press to expand
Upon looking around some possible locations I wasn't able to find one that fit my vision as either the walls where not close enough or there was not enough anchoring points to create a busy enough image
to remedy this i chose instead to do this shoot inside and use a black studio background to create an almost surrealist version instead making it look like the hankeys where out to dry within someone's mind like you where having to take rest between each kink.
I will use low lighting and a wide range of angles to fully explore this implied mindscape.
As for editing I will drop the lighting and up the contrast to make the background darker and the coloured hankeys stand out more creating this void of the mind.
shoot 2.5
contact sheet
press to expand
For this shoot I wanted to combine the idea of the artists instructional aesthetics pictures and the handkerchiefs and do a mini shoot of some leather boots and handkerchiefs combining these concepts.
I will use a close range direct angle to make an image that is all at the same height but still has a lot of depth.
I will use minimal editing only cropping the image to keep the authenticity and texture the artist uses.
I love how this study allowed me to look more into the history of queer culture and the way it has developed over time. I'm glad I was able to look at this series of work as the way it acts as a time capsule of queer history almost creating this microcosm that highlights the way queer people needed to hide themselves.
I think the primary way this will influence my work is it will make me thing deeper about costuming and set and how it reflects the deeper messages within my work.
I believe it will also make me think deeper about the way I use my art and the messages I wish to present.
I think this is my favourite piece from the artist as it creates this almost field guide aesthetic that almost acts as a way to identify a leather daddy in the wild.
For my development I want to make history and semiotics the primary focus of the project
This is my favorite of my responses as it almost feels like a piece that reflects the idea of a welcome sign but for a BDSM dungeon.
DEVELOPEMENT
final piece theme ideas
The Human Form
I like the idea of a piece looking at surrealist versions of the human body presenting sexuality as something that is abstract and doesn't conform to "types" or "ideal bodies" and instead as being a collection of features we find attractive.
Kink
i like the idea of a project that presents the idea of kink in a casual way and brings light the reality of kink and slowly works to break down the stigma and taboo surrounding kink and fetish.
One-Night-Stand
i like the idea of turning the idea of a one night stand into an artistically represented series of photographs combining the abstract and the realist to create a visual journey that will make the viewer question how they view hook-up culture and sex as a whole.
STI/D
Holy Virginity/sex
I like the idea of a final piece themed around protection and Sexually Transmitted Infections/Diseases and working on destigmatizing the culture around the way we view STI/D's as something to shame someone for.
I like the idea of combining fantasy and reality to create a set of magical realism pieces that focus on acting as a satirical comment on how we are often told to treat sex and virginity as something holy that must be preserved and to have sex without love as some great shame and sin.
I chose to try and cover all the themes as I feel they went hand in hand.
final piece delivery methods
poster
triptic
I like the idea of doing a large format poster for my final piece. However that would be difficult with the sheer number of topics I want to cover.
I like the idea of doing three large scale surrealist pieces that cover all of my final themes as it would feel more like a museum or gallery exhibition piece and that adds a really nice layer to the image but I think could take away from the way my project has presented sex as a casual and relaxed part of life we are active participants in.
magazine
This would allow for me to explore the wide range of themes I'm looking to explore however the idea of a magazine is inherently editorial and polished which takes away the humanity from the piece as it hides it behind a glossy cover and implication of superiority.
its own separate website
I feel like this would lead to the website feeling taboo and completely break the idea of me making a project designed to humanize sex and remove that social taboo that has been placed on sexuality and how we treat desire.
I also realistically cannot afford the domain of another website.
photobook
I love the idea of a photobook as it adds a casualness but preserves the idea that this is art not some taboo book to be hushed about. the multiple pages helps me explore the wide range of themes I want to cover within this piece. the hardcover allows for me to create an invitation to read and explore using some traditional art to create the cover.
Museum of Erotic Art in Barcelona
A big influence and inspiration for my project but especially by final piece was my visit to the museum of erotic art in Barcelona. it was so refreshing to be in an environment in which erotica is not viewed as a thing of sin and taboo but instead as a thing of beauty and a thing that has artistic value to society. it was amazing to get to see the history of erotic art and see just how the genre has survived and developed despite the national censorship that was brought around the world.
I like how this piece combines advertising with this idea of sex selling, the use of gay erotica to sell burgers is a really interesting concept that add this sense of surrealism.
I like how this statement piece creates this idea of sex toys being a gateway to a healthier expression of lust than the shunned nature that lust tends to face.
I like how the bronze casting creates this strong serenity to the statue as it builds this further idea of the body as something we shape and mold.
final piece planning
These are the chapter headings I want to use to create a book that feels full and encapsulates everything I want this project to reflect.
I would love for some of the chapters to be mixed media to demonstrate the different ways of exploring kink through different mediums and at different intensities.
I think these will allow for me to explore the full range of photographic styles and genres.
final piece re-planning
I didn't end up following this plan as i feel it took away the idea of the spontaneity and naturality of sex and instead decided to make it feel more natural and flowing.
The original plan made it feel almost staged and unnatural which completely defeated the purpose of the project.
I decided instead just to combine the kink and one night stand concepts into a story of a kinky hookup that is told through abstract and implicational photography and poetry. I want to break down the concept into multiple short sections.
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A shoot surrounding prep - represents preparing for a night out
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A shoot about texture - meant to represent not knowing what you will find
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A shoot about handkerchiefs on the stairs - meant to represent the build up to flagging
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A shoot about hanging handkerchiefs - meant to represent the idea of being almost overwhelmed by the choices of kinks
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A shoot about flagging in your pocket - meant to represent making your choice
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A shoot about flagging and boots - meant to represent your gear for a night out almost mimicking a front porch
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A shoot about the human body via statues - meant to represent a night at the club and all the choices in partners
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A shoot about collars - meant to represent the choice of sub or dom and the meaning behind them
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A shoot about bondage on plushies - meant to represent this idea of the softer side to kink we see at first from partners
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A shoot about rope texture - meant to represent the implied trust between partners
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A shoot about dolls in porn scenarios - meant to represent the difference between fantasy and reality
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A shoot about the aftermath of sex/masturbation - meant to represent the more messy and implicational side of a bedroom
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A shoot about a pop art dildo - meant to represent the act of sex as something artistic almost like a song with a building crescendo
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A shoot about sex toys presented in a way that makes them look like statues or idols - meant to represent sex as something almost holy
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A shoot about bondage - meant to be a more explicit expression of sex to round out the narrative
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A shoot about the clothing on the stairs - the aftermath of stripping while on the way to a bedroom making out
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A shoot about discarded hoods - meant to represent the ending of a scene and the removal of the “personas” we often create during kink
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A shoot about a park as the morning breaks - meant to represent the night ending and people going back to their day to day done using a cruising site.
shoot 1
Images I was inspired by
For this shoot I want to make it clear it is represent the beginning of the night and this idea of taking prep at the start of a night to protect yourself. I like this idea of playing on how protection can be an active and passive thing, This idea that you can either actively take PrEP as an event based medicine or passively take it daily. This duality of the medication leaves the role of the narrative view obscure as it tells us nothing about this person whose eyes we are supposedly looking through.
I want the results to almost look like a medical poster as this creates this bluntness to the image nothing is being hidden and this clinical style would make this more effective as clinical posters are legally not allowed to hide information or lie.
For this shoot I want to use a neutral pale grey background as this will further push the bluntness and clinical aesthetic of the piece and thus reflect not only this as being the start of a night but also mimic the fear that companies put into young queer peoples minds about aids.
I want to use a direct light to create a harsh almost brutalist shadow that makes the piece almost attack the viewer and forcing an inner confrontation of do they protect themselves.
I want the bottles and pills to be more centrally framed in the studio as it shows they are central storyline.
I decided to make one revision to this shoot as I felt that adding a small surrealist spin would deepen the idea of this as being a representation of a persons view of the parts of a night out.
I decided to draw inspiration from one of the most recognizable piece of surrealist media, Alice in Wonderland and use the now iconic "Drink Me" label to create this effect of these pills as saving someone the same way the bottle saved Alice from drowning, I ended up changing the label to "Take Me" as it felt more cohesive with them being pills.
Images I was inspired by
results
contact sheet
press to expand
I like how this shoot feels very medical and clinical but still has that surrealist twist that is a quintessential part of my style as an artist.
I feel that the strong shadow gives that harsher more brutalist depth that juxtaposes the subtle surrealism of the piece.
If I was to repeat this shoot I think I would change the background to be a colour that compliments the colour of the bottle and pills more like a soft orange or striking teal as it would keep the brutalist quality while still mixing this idea of surrealism and clinical.
shoot 2
I wanted this section to feel very surrealist and to focus on this idea of not knowing just what you will get when you go on a night out.
For this section of the book I decided I didn't want to give it its own dedicated shoot but instead wanted to edit photos from other shoots and zoom in on a section of significant and interesting detail to almost force the viewer to guess mimicking how our tastes in sexual partner give us a preconceived idea of what sort of person we look for on a night out and how the kinks of a person are often a surprise.
results
I like how these force the viewer to try and figure out exactly what they are looking at.
I feel that these images are effective as they look aesthetically appealing but have a deeper meaning if you are willing to try and find it.
If I was to do this again I think I would get more closeup shots of some of the items.
shoot 3
For this next shoot I wanted to create a semi-surrealist piece that makes it look like a staircase that is made up of handkerchiefs to represent how kink is a building process that takes time and effort to get to the state where we feel we can label ourselves as kinky or Kinksters.
I want it to almost mimic the moments in media when the goal of the character is represented by an imposing staircase like in the rocky training montage.
I like the idea of stairs as a representation of a goal cause the man-made nature of stairs creates this idea of our goals and standards being something we impose upon ourselves.
I wanted to use a low angle to make the piece feel almost imposing and intimidating as that creates this grandeur to the piece and pushes this surrealism.
I will use the natural lighting from the window at the top of the stairs as it crates this almost ethereal feeling to the image that emphasizes as the surrealism and also how that is the goal.
I chose this stair case as it curves towards the top emphasizing how we never complete out journey of self discovery.
results
Images I was inspired by
contact sheet
press to expand
I like how this shoot creates this imposing feeling that almost reflects the nerves before a night out but also the excitement that is equally generated by the anticipation
I feel that the gaps in the banister take away from the surrealism as they show this is in a room not some form of ether.
If I was to do this again I would swap out the natural lighting for artificial lighting in the same place as the natural lighting altered the colours of the hankeys and thus muddied the meaning behind the image.
shoot 4
For this section I use the results of one of my shoots focusing on Hal Fischer as I feel the surrealism of the piece creates this idea of almost being lost in a field of options as sometimes the vastness of the options can become overwhelming as there is no manual or tour book only you.
Sometimes the only thing you can do is wander around lost till you find someone to guide you.
This darker surrealism shows this idea of this as a journey in a more soft way.
chosen images
shoot 5
I wanted this section to take the viewer out of the surrealist comfort they had been held in until now and instead use a sudden jarring of realist photography to create this break in the story line almost as if the last two shoots where the inside of the narrators brain and this shoot is the reality.
To create this I used another of the shoots i did for Hal Fischer as this pushes the idea that the reality was the narrator picking a hankey to flag with.
chosen images
shoot 6
For this I wanted to begin to bring the viewer back into this surrealist headspace but slowly and to do this I decided to use another of the shoots from my Hal Fischer study as it felt almost like the sort of piece that would be illustrated on a sign in the porch that said "a home is where you hang your hat" but with a more intense feel to it.
this is why I chose to have it accompanied by the phrase "a place where a dom can take his boots off is a place one can call home".
chosen images
shoot 6
For this shoot I wanted to create this feeling of how often, especially in an environment like the club, we treat the body like a temple both in reverence but also in objectification.
How we as people often have our own beauty and body standards and we simultaneously praise and worship the body while also breaking it down to the components and nothing more this duality is what I want to explore.
I want to create this idea of the body as separate to the person.
I want my models to look like statues.
To do this I will have my models pose like statues under studio lighting to create a chiaroscuro that when edited to black and white will create this statue-esque style and read as us worshipping the body.
Images I was inspired by
shoot 6 revised
While prepping to do the shoot I re-read over my plan and realized the effect I was creating lost the surrealism that was a large part of bonding this project together and also that is quintessential to creating the feeling I wanted to bring up within the viewer.
I felt it would be better to not use a model for this shoot as that would lose the feeling of treating the body as a work of art and instead making a work of art out of the body. for this reason I instead decided to use statues as my models and create this idea of humanity in an inhuman object.
I will use the natural lighting of the Victoria an albert museum to make this piece as the gallery already frames the statues in a way that displays the beauty of them.
I will use the softening tool on photoshop to make the stone seem less rough and make cracks, chips and flaws in the marble look like marks on the skin.
I will center the image around the body more than the face as it leans into the idea of how we separate a body ideal from the person.
Images I was re-inspired by
results
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I like how this piece plays into this idea of the body and the person often being viewed as different people as it creates this social commentary about body standards and hook-up culture without shaming.
I feel that this piece shows off my capabilities as a photographer especially when it comes to lighting and composition.
if I was to do this again I would like to add more details and adjustments to the image such as piercings and BDSM gear in a subtle way to further push the idea of this as a club.
shoot 7
I wanted to leave the exact meaning of this shoot up for some debate as I wanted the role and preferred position of the narrator to be ambiguous as it allows for more viewers to relate to the piece and also reflects how in the club you don't know if someone is a top or a bottom just from looking at them.
so for this I wanted to do a shoot surrounding this idea of BDSM collars and what they represent.
I knew I wanted the viewer to question if the narrator is picking one to wear or is looking at collars on subs and using that to pick who to approach.
for this shoot I decided again not to use a model for this shoot and instead use a plain white background to lay the collars on to create this ambiguity about the narrators preferences.
I used a white studio light to create this blunt image that felt almost like a page on a shopping website.
result
I like how this piece focuses on a piece of gear that is commonly seen and because of then is often not focused on in art unless on a person.
I feel that this image is effective at maintaining this ambiguity and mystique while acting in a position that reflects online store pages.
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Images I was inspired by
shoot 8
For this piece I decided to focus on the softer side we often see from our sexual and romantic partners, I want this to represent the small talk at the club and the "welcome home honey" we get from a partner before the kink surfaces.
I wanted to find a way to soften that idea of kink as something rough and settled on combining rough kink with a literal soft texture of something like a plushie.
this allowed me to also play on the phrasing of "Rope Bunny" as being a colloquialisms for someone into rope bondage.
results
Images I was inspired by
I will use artificial coloured lighting to emphasize this softness but also implying sex, I want to mainly focus on using purples and blues to represent and almost blacklight to create this idea of "detecting" when your partner is in the mood and softer orange and yellow tones to create this idea of aftercare.
I don't want to center the plushie in the middle of the frame but instead at an off angle to push this idea of this not being about kink itself but the build up.
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I like how this piece feels almost out of place at first glance but upon thinking about what it is and the further duality of kink it becomes more well placed.
I feel that this piece is a good representation of the lead up and softer part of kink and sex while still feeling surrealist.
if I was to do this shoot again I would try making small BDSM props for them to hold.
shoot 8
I wanted to do a small shoot of just rope tied on a model in close up to act as an appreciation of how much effort goes into tying them and making the ropes.
i will have my model stand face away from me and focus on the ropes themselves not how they sit on the model or anything but just on the ropes themselves.
I like how this shoot plays on the beauty of a fairly common object.
I feel this shoot acts as a really good representation of the relationship we as Kinksters have with our gear.
If I was to do this again I would have incorporated a macro lens to focus more on the detail and fibers to create this deeper exploration.
results
shoot 9,10,11
For this shoot I wanted to reflect on the idea of fantasizing about a guy you see in the club but I also wanted to make a comment about how studio pornography can feel artificial and begins to effect how we explore out own fantasies.
For this shoot I looked at different ways of showing that artificial quality that the industry tends to push through the now cliché storylines of the pizza delivery, the gym buddy and the "straight roommate". while these archetypal stories can easily be credited as to the development of the roleplay and fantasy kink they do also create an idea that all that is needed is some flirty words and a smile to seduce someone and also create the misguided assumption that everyone is wanting sex 24/7.
I decided to play on three main story archetypes and break them down into their own separate shoots
Fantasy 1
images i was inspired by
For this shoot I wanted to play into the cliché porn storyline of the roommate and this idea of getting caught with kink gear.
I wanted to create this idea of colour representing time starting with a rich red and orange to represent the beginning of the night, the light then fading through a warm purple then ending with a rich blue mimicking a black light to create this idea of reflecting on how sex ends.
I wanted to have the angle of the doll quite distinct in each photo to almost make it feel like we are seeing the sub being moved during sex.
I will use coloured lighting to create the tones of the image as I don't want to use photoshop as changing the colour of images in photoshop can distort shadows and make the image feel more muddy and washed out.
I will use a direct angle of my mini studio to create the photo and instead rotate the doll to create the different effects.
I want to pick a point on the doll and then have the camera focus on that section of the image and let the rest become more blurred but still readable.
Fantasy 2
For this shoot I wanted to play into the cliché porn storyline of the Boss/Business man idea, specifically the idea of the powerful CEO taking the more submissive role. To create this effect I'm going to take the same photo in different angles and closeness to create this idea of this being an almost universality to the idea of a power shift.
I want the blue shade of the image to become more and more intense starting from a soft purple to an intense blue hue.
I want to play on the feeling more than the explicit fantasy itself focusing more on the action of stepping as a power move that shifts the balance of power.
I will have the dolls positioned in the same place and instead adjust where the camera is instead, as it creates the idea of power as being immovable and the camera essentially being put into the submissive position.
I will used the coloured lighting rather than editing as i don't want to lose detailing,
Fantasy 3
For the last fantasy I will focus on the idea of a gym sauna and hooking up with a gym buddy.
I want to use colour to represent temperature looking at how temperature reflects sex. I want to use the idea of being caught as well.
I want to have one that represents someone showing off, one that represents the rising temperature creating tension and one representing getting caught by a gym buddy. that is where I want the images to stop so it made the viewer fill in the blanks.
I will make a small version of a sauna to combine the gay culture surrounding saunas and the cliché porn scenario.
I want to use the lighting to create the colour to avoid the blurring and also allow for the texture of the wood more visible.
results
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I like how these shoots play on these very specific fantasies that have become almost cliché and allow for this almost artificial fantasy to be created while still reflecting the very real people who find it hot.
I feel that this piece opens a dialogue about porn and the way we as people view Pornstars.
if I was to do this shoot again ! would try and use costuming and props.
shoot 12
For this shoot i want to look at the difference between how we view masturbation and self pleasure versus how we view sex and kink.
I want to use the same colour palette for the two different representations.
For the representation of masturbation I'm going to focus on absent storytelling and telling a story by showing nothing explicit and instead focusing more on the ability to imply a story by the props I will use.
For the sex and kink representation I want to focus on absent storytelling again but instead of looking at props that would be next to a person in the image I want to focus on the props that would be left after the scene.
Props for shoot part 1:
- gay porno magazines
- discarded tissues
- crumpled jockstrap
props for shoot part 2:
- discarded condom
- crumpled thong ]
- a neatly laid out ball gag
for both I want to use rich blues and purples.
results
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I like how this piece represents the two sides of kink exploration the solo and the partnered.
I feel like this shoot uses colour in a really interesting way that that creates this almost blacklight effect that mimics the way blacklights shine
If I was to do this again I would use some UV reactive paint after printing to highlight where semen would be found in the photo.
shoot 13
For this shoot I will only take one photo and then use a combination of photoshops and quality adjustments on my camera to create an almost pop-art style.
Images I was inspired by
shoot 14
results
images i was inspired by
For this piece I will focus on a selection of sex toys, Primarily dildoes, and make them feel almost like idols almost statuesque.
I want to focus on the way light reflects on the silicone.
I want this to almost act as the narrator going for the idol similar to movies such as Indiana Jones and I want the viewer be asked to interpret what the "idol" represents
I want to focus again on colour for this using a spray bottle to help the light diffuse across the product.
For this shoot I will use the coloured light as my only light source to play on the shadow that plays into the way adventuring films play on ominous light.
I will use a neutral backdrop to create this clean effect.
results
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shoot 15
For this shoot I want to focus on gear and the physicality of the kink as a visual medium and signaling.
I want to play on both the submissive and the dominant.
I want to look at the way that leather and rubber both play into submission and dominant stereotypes.
I wanted to look how leather is often seen as dominant and powerful but change it so that it plays the submissive role.
I also wanted to play into the way that rubber and latex is often seen as submissive but i wanted to have my model play the dominant role and almost push the viewer into submission.
I will use the coloured lighting again to create this almost dream like state as if this is someone's fantasy.
I do my best to try will try to keep my model centered or semi-centered so that it is obvious that the model is the primary focus of the piece.
results
I like how this piece focuses mainly on the clothing but also how the person gives the clothing its role.
I feel that this piece creates the depth of the role that semi ignores the gear.
If I was to do this again I would include more gear and get more angles of the gear and use the angle to define the roles.
shoot 16
for this shoot I wanted to to focus on the way gear changes your role so i decided to use the images from the shoot surrounding @HeroAddy.
chosen images
shoot 17
For this shoot I want to create implied storytelling and for this shoot I want to take us out of being in the narrators point of view and instead has us following after him and his partner/s.
I like the idea of using this shoot to create a storyline that is a disembodied perspective following behind the story creating this idea of an implied storyline lagging behind.
I will use the natural lighting of the set to allow for the scene to feel not artificially created.
I want to use an uneven number of clothes to make it so the viewer has to decide how many people are present within the story.
results
images i was inspired by
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I like how this piece creates an obvious yet still only implied storyline that is visually stimulating but more importantly is intellectually stimulating and makes the viewer read into the piece.
I feel that the lighting isn't quite as effective as it could be.
if I was to do this again I would probably create a longer storyline starting maybe at the club and ending at the foot of the bed.
shoot 18
I wanted to do a shoot that represents how the dominant and submissive "personas" sometimes get shed as the night draws to a close.
for this I wanted to use hoods to represent the way that we shed the "personas" and almost create this macabre to it using the shed hood combined with handkerchiefs to almost create this surrealism and also this idea that the "persona" is equally as real as our everyday self.
(I use the term persona very loosely as kink is often a core part of a persons personality and who they are)
I will use studio lighting and a direct angle to create a clean cut image that still feels quite surrealist.
I think the bright light to the image creates this idea of the lights being turned on in the morning.
results
images i was inspired by
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I like how this image reflects the shed "persona" of the person after the scene but still has a visual appeal as a stand alone piece.
I feel that the piece while visually appealing can be viewed as quite blunt and simplistic.
If I was to do this shoot again I would change to a less textured background and add more gear to the piece to represent more of the persona being shed.
shoot 19
For this shoot I want to focus on what a cruising ground looks like during the day reflecting how at the end of the night the
sun interrupts the sleeping people.
I wanted this to feel like our final interaction with the narrator. I want the viewer to feel like they have gotten to know our unknown narrator.
I was originally going to use this shoot to introduce us to our narrator but I feel like that loses the majority of the mystique and implication that had been built up.
I will use the natural lighting as i want this piece to purely represent the dawn and how time effects sex and kink and how Kinksters as a community interreact with the world.
results
images i was inspired by
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final piece layout design
Digital copy Feedback from colleagues and friends
1- some of my images hit the edge which while not a problem on the digital copy it could lead to problems later on down the road when it comes to creating a physical copy
2- I wish there was some more consistency in the layout
3- I like your strong use of narrative and how it builds the project
4- I like the way you use colour and lighting as a driving force of the meaning
5- it feels like a really fresh way of exploring a theme often labelled as taboo
6- I wish you had developed more of a page layout convention throughout the book
7- I like how the text adds a depth to the piece
8- I like the way you ended the project with an implied human presence as opposed to a more explicit human presence.
final piece printed version
Physical copy Feedback from colleagues and friends
1- I like the almost coffee table style book that breaks down the taboo as it is a piece that is clearly meant to be on display.
2- I like the choice of paper as the semi gloss creates this almost magazine style work
3- I love how the poetry acts as a signpost for the smaller themes
4- I wish there was a smaller accompaniment to the book
Final Piece Final Thoughts
My final piece seems like the perfect summary for my project, it is a great exploration of the wide variety of kink subcultures.
I hope that seeing my project changes the way people view kink and fetish as I want this project to act as a way of breaking down the social taboo that has been built up around kink.
if I was to do this project again I would include a lot more mixed media work to amplify this exploration of the different subcultures and sectors of kink and fetish.
I think that going forward I will make my projects more specific and focused.
Active or Relaxed summary
Themes
This project focuses on the active and relaxed (passive) sides of kink and fetish and my work to try and de-mystify and remove the taboo surrounding sex.
My Thoughts
I think that this project is effective in exploring my themes whilst looking at the ethics of censorship and the way in which art can be "de-valued" based on the existence of nudity within the piece.
Where I Want To Take This Next
I want to progress in my exploration of kink and fetish in an artistic way and work on the way I respond to my inspirations but also work on how I use my work to change the opinions of my viewers.
