From Mapplethorp to countless other  photographers, images have always been there to provoke society. To tease at those who’s values differ from theirs, but it’s always a tool to express those aspects of our society that have no voice. So this brings me to some of the images on  Model Mayhem, that I have come into question  so this  is why I am expressing one man’s opinion. I find  titillation and pushing the image to the edge... just that it’s my  freedom......rebellious..letting sometimes the illustration to speak for itself. I don’t know if I will understand the images of bondage something I will do, but never say never! It’s a personal belief I think....that Midwestern values I pick up growing up in the bible belt of Grand Rapids, but even there I stood out as the shhhhh he shots nudes photographer. Ok! Right to the point with some of the photographers with a overwhelming amount of bondage images.....what is it beyond that of control? I would like to understand the reasons for such images.....What upsets me is that  the first thing I see is a female with gag in her mouth, with hands tied behind her. Very little if any images do I see anyone of males in the same positions...why is that! Sex sells better if it’s a woman being suppressed, I just don’t get it. And having these images here on the site I would welcome the wide range of what is so creative about the members here. Granted in your port they are there for all to view beyond the age of 18yrs old, yet I can tell you my 13yr old is my I can get around any computer controls to view just about anything, but that is an issue I have to deal with daily. It’s when we are exposed to such images daily, as for that even some of the images even in my port, what is it teaching those wanting into this industry. I think since I do teach 10th to 12th graders photographer I have come into question of how expressive my images can be. A lot is let to impressionable images so easy....trust me Playboy back in 1963 for me was it I got hooked....How does one conclude a topic that will always be in the  front of any issues of what is good or is bad good in how we depict humanity....be careful for your rebellious statements today  will effect those years for now.

Freedom is a good thing....(:--------

You teach 10th grade photographers... fantastic, post you lessons. I am sure that there are more than a few photographers that could learn a bit. Me included.

A lot of what is shown as "pushing the edge" is just a lazy way to stir up controversy. If an image says nothing beyond making you wince it is worthless. If you have seen one gagged woman you have seen them all. Funny thing is the "Fetish" models won't do "porn" even though fetish photos by definition are porn.

You ever notice Alex and Hugh look alike?

"Very little if any images do I see anyone of males in the same positions...why is that!

...because men won't do it, simple as that.  they don't have the nerve to be seen as vulnerable.  listen to the epithets that men hurl at each other when angry: "bitch", "faggot", "punk", the first insult that little boys learn for each other is "sissy" -- all references to the abscence of masculine power.  In a culture where emotion, vulnerability and even [to a certain extent] sensuality are socialized out of males from early on ["boys don't cry"], why would you expect men to suddenly allow themselves to be seen in anything less than a position of mastery?  The western myth of male "power" is built largely upon the fear of being exposed as "weak"...Women are fortunate to still have many more options of emotion and experience open to them, so they have no problem with "weakness" issues.  The simple fact is, the women that I work with [for the most part] quite enjoy the experience of being bound/gagged/vulnerable/expressive in images, because they don't have to worry about being "diminished" in the eyes of society [once they get over the world's "nudity barrier", most everything else comes easily to them].

Believe it or not, the majority of my online following is female -- not a day goes by where I don't recieve communication from women around the world with positive feedback for my work.  The irony is that I'm able to connect with women from all countries and cultures with images that are originally inteded to express my own desires and fantasies...that's right, the women in my images are speaking for me, not to me...I would love to have more men in my images to speak for me...but men just won't do it...would you?

Melvin, very well put. Thanks for posting a serious answer here, it has given me a lot to think about.