Mark I Chester

I am a gay underground photographer in San Francisco.  I have been documenting my life and my community since the late 1970s.  For 20+ years I did fine art black and white portraiture and in 1996 I self-published a book of my work called "Diary of a Thought Criminal."  In 2000, I switched to a color digital camera.  I also host gay male figure drawing groups in my studio

In addition, I curate and exhibit my photographs and the work of other underground artists in a guerrilla gallery in my studio.

I mostly photograph men when doing personal work, although I am very open to doing paid work with everyone regardless of gender or sexual orientation.  My favorite thing to shoot is personal portraiture.  I am friendly and approachable and I'm here to help you get what you need.

I am a studio photographer and I love doing studio work.  My work is very basic, most often limited to just a backdrop, body and light.  I use light creatively to sculpt the body's musculature and to create a mood. 

In doing personal work.  I am looking for models who are willing to expose themselves emotionally for the camera.  All work is collaborative, so I am interested in models who have something to offer because it is that spark that drives me and the work. 

I'm also looking for models who are open to doing classical nude modeling for my male figure drawing group.  I'm interested in a wide range of ages/types and experience is not necessary.  Our group is small, so the fee is a minimal courtesy.  But I am willing to take photographs of you in exchange for your time modeling.

Gallery -
1st row - recent color digital body portraits of Joe or Koyote
2nd row - recent color digital body portraits of Paul
3rd row - fine art b&w film work - from the series, 'Bad Boys on Parade,' 1999
4th row - fine art b&w film work - from the series, 'the dream of my youth is dead, but I can't stop dreaming,' 1997-98
5th row - fine art b&w film work - from the series, 'Diary of a Thought Criminal,' 1990

I can be reached at sfphotou@yahoo.com.  My website, linked above, has much more of my work, both black and white and color digital in addition to my sketch groups.  Please be warned that my personal website includes frank erotic work.

ON FRIEND REQUESTS: I like to list models I have worked with or photographers and models whose work I respect in one form or another.  I am not into collecting friends just for the sake of collecting.  All requests are appreciated, but requests made without any other contact may be denied without comment.