Anonymous

 

Anonymous nudes are something I’m invited to do from time to time and it's a genre I enjoy. Some customers have come from an internationally published background, others are in other trades/professions, where revealing their identity would be inappropriate, or potentially damage people’s perception of them, or their business.  

That aside, it’s a great way of being creative with the human form and sometimes, being very bold, stopping short of gratuitous. Angles, lighting, and aperture are pivotal. As are trust, comfort, and good, clear communication between the parties. I took these in her home using a mixture of natural light and on-camera flash with diffuser. Props are another consideration. My Fed2 rangefinder film camera, Tibetan Singing Bowl, and toy motorcycle. The model chose her pinwheel, bear claw, chain, and scarf.

S Is For Shibari

Shibari, translated literally, means “To tie” but, in western popular culture, a word synonymous with bondage/BDSM and similar fetishism.

There are connotations, which I am slightly uncomfortable with.

Specifically, undertones of sexualised violence, towards women. That said; life is about questioning and exploring. With this and other “non touch” protocols in mind, the tying was performed by a highly qualified third party.

The shoot started with a fetish theme-our old friend PVC; and became progressively more provocative. Rules are made to be broken, but model comfort and safety (not forgetting my own) must remain intact.

Thankfully, Lauren seemed at ease throughout and I think this shows in the images. Not something I would entertain with an inexperienced model, or without a wealth of clearly established safeguards.

Given the temperamental compatibility between Sony A (Minolta) mount cameras and studio remote triggers, I took the A58 workhorse and 50mm 1.8 prime as a standby. These were shot using my A6000 and 60mm 2.8. prime. F14, 1/125 and ISO 100, in case you were curious...