the latest:
travel: Venice, Italy Nov 19 to Nov23
moving: from London to Vancouver on Dec 1st
(adieu London, and thanks for all the great curries)
(ps. I might consider coming back when there's a
change in the judging panel on The X Factor)
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**new** FAQ for models (M) who want to work with me (B)
M: Hi, I really like your work, it's very unique, sensual and beautiful, and I would like to shoot with you. How much do you charge?
B: Thank you very much. I work with select models that I think can add something great to my work, and I don't charge for this.
M: Wow, all this for free?
B: Not exactly, I have only so much time I can spend on this work, and what's worth my time is someone who has the right look, fully commits to doing the best shoot they can, maintains good communication and reliability, and respects my unique way of working, and this is not negotiable. If however, you feel overwhelmed with gratitude, then donations are welcome.
M: Great (yadda yadda yadda...I can get some cool commercial shots for free, yay...)
B: I can hear your thoughts, you know. I'm not a commercial photographer, I'm a fine art photographer/artist bringing a unique artistic approach to glamour. I work on the shots that I feel best convey this vision.
Think of it like working on someone's movie; you don't get the raw footage, and you don't decide how it's edited, or how long it should take to edit. But you do get to be the star of a captivating vision that brings out your potential and unique attractiveness.
M: I see, you charge in terms of committed effort, and being given the benefit of the doubt, to do it the way you need to do it.
B: Exactly...feeling I'm doing the best work I can, is part of my enjoyment, and I'm looking for people with that same commitment to excellence and great imagery...only by doing the best work, can we get to know our best selves.
M: So it's free right?
B: Uh, yeah.
M: Have you been published?
B: I have been published in books and magazines that are important to me as a fine art photographer, such as the cover of 'The World's Greatest Black and White Photography' (
www.thespiderawards.com/store.htm).
Ufortunately, there's no glamour section in these publications. Most publications for glamour are artistically undemanding, and prefer to stick to ancient formula, crawling a big safe distance behind innovative fashion photography trends, and rarely ventures into art. This is because almost any picture of an attractive woman looking sexy has selling power, so no point making it too complicated as far as business goes. So I'm interested in developing my own publications, and those that are enthusiastic about a fine art approach.
M: Okay. (just wanted to do a fun shoot and get some cool shots, not listen to a lecture...)
B: Yes, I can still hear your thoughts. Yes, I like to talk...I think it's good to move through life as consciously as possible...you have more choices that way. But my wisdom and experience is at the service of making you look hot and beautiful in a memorable way, so stay focused on that, and enjoy the ride...you might learn something.
M: I'm not sure I'm comfortable working with someone that can hear my thoughts...
B: Don't worry, I use this ability primarily to bring out your full potential as a gorgeous captivating hottie, and reveal some of the essence of your charisma.
M: Sounds good...what's your availability?
B: I'm either editing or shooting. So pick a day you can commit fully to, for a few hours (atleast 3 hours of actual shooting), and if I can I'll reciprocate the commitment. Nothing happens without that commitment, and it's essential to stick to it, regardless of sun, rain, or a major shift in earth's polar axis. You're only as good as your commitments.
M: Great, I'll get back to you (he's a little out there, might shoot with him if I'm in the right mood, or need some cool shots bad enough)
B: Hey, I heard that, you know.
M: Okay, bye. (I need some chocolate).
B: (I don't know why I bother...oh yeah, it's because they're hot and beautiful, and there's so much potential for creating something great...something that's the opposite of cruelty)
1 year and 6 months later....
M: Hi, how does next week work for you?
B: Sorry, I'm now located in a higher frequency dimension, and am unable to interact with your dimension. Good luck!
'God is in the details'
please don't contact me unless you read this...a tale of aspiration, hope and woe...
R-E-S-P-E-C-T...find out what it means to me.
Hi folks...I'm done for now.
I'm taking a break from my unique brand of fine art glamour work to spend more time on my other artistic pursuits.
I'll continue to offer shoots to most of the models I've worked with in the past, and will consider opening things up again when I feel people have a better appreciation for the value of what I'm offering with Art of Allure (hint: it's pro-feminine and pro-art) as indicated by people following through with their commitments.
I'll still keep the work up for you to enjoy, and really appreciate any comments and feedback. I'll still keep doing fr's so I can follow your work, or vice versa. I'm always open to finding really interesting people to work with, who do things beyond the call of duty, and are open to doing something innovative with the work itself...working within my vision; a world of refined yet powerful sensuality, gorgeousness, exoticism, mysticism, mystery and soul...yum yum.
I genuinely would love to work with and explore the unique vitality and beauty of most of the models on my 'friends' list; reveal their core radiance and attractive power a la Art of Allure. But this is no more likely than visiting those '1001 places you must see before you die'. My approach is for people who want something more than painting by numbers; who want their individuality to shine through and trust their deeper instincts. Within that there will be a very few that actually follow through, so even '101 models to work with before I die' is pushing it.
I knew it would be challenge for a serious artist of Indian background to bring a fine art approach to glamour/erotica, that seeks to bring out the unique essence of each person as well as create iconic images of feminine sensuality, beauty and vitality. But the consistent unreliability of most of the models I've approached, just makes it annoying. If you like my images, it's thanks to the models that showed up...big applause for them...boo to the rest for depriving themselves and the world, and wasting my time; although I'm sure you're otherwise fine people, whose lack of consideration, sometimes to an overall cruel effect, is unintentional.
So have fun, travel, get attention, meet cool people, climb the ladder...and if that doesn't go deep enough for you...let's talk. I encourage everyone to put what you truly care about in the work.
If you look at the media you'll see images of women have a profound effect in culture; images of the feminine. No matter how much the feminine is surpressed, shamed, exploited or abused (although it's mostly celebrated in this MM community, which is why I'm part of it), there's a deep longing for intimacy with that feminine radiance that includes a pure aesthetic appreciation. It might not be necessary to explore this to be 'succesful',but it sure does make life worth living.
I'll keep updating, and am always up for a good chat.
good luck to y'all,
Bapi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c1QcKpOCv4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-TsegUect0
www.bapic.com
