Lost Coast Photo wrote:
Except that most of the people who think they can "sell the emotion" can't.  It looks superficial, because it is.

When it's real, there are depths of emotion far beyond what a vanilla model can fake.  Better yet, when both the photographer and the model are real, it's possible to convey things beyond words.  I don't expect anyone who hasn't been there to fully understand; but even a lot of lifestylers, even a lot of pros, haven't learned to push those boundaries.  When that deep connection happens, people look at the images and can almost feel the energy.  Those who have been there know what I mean.

One of my favorite fetish models ever (now retired) was completely uninterested in the lifestyle.  She hated pain, but routinely did bondage work and s/m videos.  She simply understood the role she played and played it well.  If you can really act, acting out a fetish scenario is no greater a stretch than acting out a soccer mom scenario with some obnoxious child model.

A Vaughn wrote:
No one said fetish was about being goth. The OP said they could be related, and that is true. It's certainly not always the case, but it seems to be so more often than not on teh intarweb.

There's some cross-over between goth fashion and fetish fashion, but that's about the extent of it. Comparing the two is to compare apples and bookends.  You could have a bookend shaped like an apple, but don't try to eat it.

theda wrote:
and so the 18+ photos begin...

morons.

Tony Korleone wrote:

sorry i thought about the rule after I posted and did not edit it before the "moron" comment ...gone sorry again but sure are fast with the words here

Lifestyle Images wrote:
We will be at FetishCon in Tampa in August, and I would be happy to shoot with you.

Brad

We will as well....also Shibari con in May

Lost Coast Photo wrote:
Except that most of the people who think they can "sell the emotion" can't.  It looks superficial, because it is.

When it's real, there are depths of emotion far beyond what a vanilla model can fake.  Better yet, when both the photographer and the model are real, it's possible to convey things beyond words.  I don't expect anyone who hasn't been there to fully understand; but even a lot of lifestylers, even a lot of pros, haven't learned to push those boundaries.  When that deep connection happens, people look at the images and can almost feel the energy.  Those who have been there know what I mean.

Been there , agree whole-heartedly. Would responded more to this... But damn you just said it so well it can't possibly be added to . Thanks for taking the words right out of my mouth, lol

Visions Of Excess Studi wrote:
Lifestyle submissive fetish photographer here. I blush and everything!

Jeffrey McAlister wrote:

lol.... but hey, you can't see the rope running  from her asshole to her ponytail....
FUCKING EASE UP GUYS.

Alright, as stated before, Sanctus is new to BDSM shoots, so cut her some slack will ya?!! She's going to be fantastic, already has a great start on her port. Love ya girl!!

h i s wrote:
I'm a woman who is owned, and who is often the subject of fetish acts and BDSM activities....... who happens to model, besides.

This is such a beautiful, empowering statement. Thank you.   :-)

Selina Kyle wrote:

Alright, as stated before, Sanctus is new to BDSM shoots, so cut her some slack will ya?!! She's going to be fantastic, already has a great start on her port. Love ya girl!!

Heh.. As it was stated, any actual bondage pic would hae been illegal by way of the Site... but some folks aren't all that brite, no biggie.   Luv you too Selina!!

Sara Danielle wrote:
BDSM??

Okay so I am very innocent to all this that you are typing about. So I have no idea what is going on.

Can you all please school me on all this?

I do not want to hijack this thread so let me know if this is a good NEW TOPIC.

BDSM is B&D, D&S, S&M (Bondage & Discipline, Dominance & Submission, Sadism & Masochism)... pretty much all the thoughts that come to my mind when I hear the word kink.

Cyndiemyst wrote:

We will as well....also Shibari con in May

There's a Shibari Con?  aw geez, there go my savings.

Art_Wraith wrote:

BDSM is B&D, D&S, S&M (Bondage & Discipline, Dominance & Sumission, Sadism & Masochism)... pretty much all the thoughts that come to my mind when I hear the word kink.

So what is a Sub and a Dom? What does on top and underneath mean? I know I probably sound really silly but I have no idea what this entails.

Sara Danielle wrote:
So what is a Sub and a Dom? What does on top and underneath mean? I know I probably sound really silly but I have no idea what this entails.

This will be a bit simplistic but...

a sub or submissive is someone who enjoys giving up control to another person, the dom or dominant person.  a bottom is someone who is taking the same role as a submissive but just for the scene or act that they're in at the moment, same with a top being a dominant temporarily.

People will disagree with some of my definitions but it gives you a rough idea.

a top is like a temporary dominant (they take control)

a bottom is like a temporary submissive (they give up control)

What happens is entirely up to the people participating. And it's easy to have one part without the other.  For example, take a look at the image of Wynd in my portfolio, she's bound (bondage) but the look on her face says she's anything but submissive and there's no discipline going on really.  It's kind of like a buffet of kink, pick and choose what you enjoy!

Photos by Owen wrote:
I've delurked twice this week, I must be out of my mind

Sub type guy here. Lifestyler and such even.

I'm interested in fetish/bondage photography not because it's cool, or the latest trend, but because it's a a subject I love. Just have the problem of finding people to photograph. But that's OK.

There's a lot of ways to label all this stuff, but I think you just have to do what's right for you. And as long as you enjoy it an no one gets hurt.. well OK maybe hurt just a little bit

-Owen

Nice post owen.

kumi wrote:
it depends on what type of message the image is trying to convey. if the photographer is going for more of a fetish-lifestyle feel, sure an actual practitioner might be better to use as a model. but if you're talking about selling a product, very few of them actually KNOW how to pose in order to sell a product. it's about marketing a look and a style.

Having an alternative model pose in an image that is primarily used as an advert to sell more clothes doesn't always work out. for example, if you're a high-end latex clothing manufacturer, you're not going to buy expensive full page ads featuring an extremely alternative looking model. the people that BUY expensive latex couture usually don't look very alternative. most have normal mainstream jobs and careers and they would more likely relate to seeing something similar in an ad rather than the new make up and piercing trends being featured at the local club.

fetish is a bit different,  but it's still a business. the demand of fetish models (in regards to fetish gear/clothing) could never sustain the industry. it's about those private individuals that have the money and can afford to buy the toys. and being able to have a business thrive as well as survive is a difficult chore when so many believe that images should be done for 'art'  -  ie. for free.

You're also moving at a different level than most of the people here.  Having seen plenty of your work, including large original prints, I think that whatever your personal preferences, however you choose to define yourself, you do understand the psychological and emotional aspects behind the images.  You spend a lot of time around lifestylers, and your writing implies that you're a perceptive person.  That's perhaps true for some other people doing fetish fashion for publication, too; certainly it's true for a few of the well known fetish models I've met.   Then there are some who simply have legitimate acting ability, who really can go into role and project emotion.  But the vast majority of models I've met can't do that on demand.

I do still think there is a depth of emotion that for most people can only be reached when the experience feels real.  It's possible to take an open minded non-lifestyler there, if one knows how, and if that person is willing to take the risk, because it can be pretty scary for them to tap into those feelings.  It's also not entirely predictable.  Some slip into the headspace very easily, some take a while, some just can't let go at all.  Sometimes the reaction is not what is expected, although that's not any less real.

I guess what bothers me is the people, on either end of the camera, who think they can fake projected emotion with very little effort or experience.  There's a reason that not just anybody can do what you do.

Art_Wraith wrote:
People will disagree with some of my definitions but it gives you a rough idea.

a top is like a temporary dominant (they take control)

a bottom is like a temporary submissive (they give up control)

i will have to agree with the disagreeing part

Lost Coast Photo wrote:
...

I guess what bothers me is the people, on either end of the camera, who think they can fake projected emotion with very little effort or experience.  There's a reason that not just anybody can do what you do.

well on the other side of the coin, the photographer doesnt necessarily have to project emotion with his image. rather, a good photographer should be able to elicit a response from the viewer in any sort of image - be it fetish, bdsm, or otherwise.

in the case of fetish, whether or not a human model is present, the image of a single shoe should be able trigger a response - ecstasy, elation, thrill, desire, warmth, anything... the memories and ideas of how that shoe smelled, tasted, felt, or could smell, taste, feel, etc. That would be the trick.

--
and thank you, btw.

Art_Wraith wrote:

There's a Shibari Con?  aw geez, there go my savings.

MHM...
Memorial day weekend...
Now go drain that account!