Bobby Deal Loc: Loveland Colorado

Before we get started here I need to warn you all that the images in this set may be disturbing to some. While they do not contain nudity or anything bloody / vulgar they can be a bit shocking to some and the squeamish may struggle with what the couple is participating in. So be forewarned that once you see this you can not UNSEE it so if you continue beyond the text to the images just remember I warned you :)

These are from a shoot that people either love or hate. Living in Las Vegas as I have mentioned I have had the opportunity to photograph a lot of different things. From Celebrities and Performers to The Family next door, every time I think I have seen or photographed it all something new comes along to remind me that in Las Vegas ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

In these images the man and woman in them are couple. The man is an artist and part of the experience for them was that they proceeded in an almost ritualistic fashion with him painting a tribal pattern on her while they did this odd but beautiful emotional dance all around the studio prior to the peircings. It was the artist's birthday and the girlfriend said that this was his greatest wish for his birthday gift. WHat follows is an ancient practice known as flesh suspension. For those of you who don't know what that means, well it means exactly what it sounds like.

They have their backs pierced by a pair of very large stainless steel hooks and then in "Little Big Man" fashion they are hoisted off the ground by these hooks. It should be noted while the back is the most common not all flesh suspension is done from hooks in the back. I have seen people suspend by their knees, thighs, belly, arms and even once saw a man suspend by 12 hooks in his face

While the gift was for the man the couple had decided that they would both suspend. Needless to say the girl, a local burlesque performer was a bit nervous about it. The boyfriend though did a fabulous job of soothing her and easing her anxiety.

In the end she was as excited by the process as he was and the truth is I think his may have been a false bravado as I think he was more anxious about the whole process than she was.

I have people ask me all the time why anyone would subject themselves to such a situation and all I can say is that after talking to dozens of people who have done this and some who do it on a very regular basis that they find it to be a spiritual experience. They say that in an age of a pill for every ache and pain this practice takes them back to a more primal place. A place where one depends on self and awareness of self and the practice of inner strength to overcome. They say that in a place where one can not medicate they will by nature meditate and that when they do they find a place of peace and calm that they can not reach elsewise. They also say the hardest part is not being suspended but letting go of the known and allowing their feet to break contact with the ground. That to do so is to completely and utterly surrender ones will to something greater than themselves.

Now that I have written enough that the images needed to be scrolled to here you go.

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tainkc Loc: Kansas City

As usual, the photography is excellent. This sort of thing does not phase me one bit. Sitting Bull did it, being pierced under the nipples and suspended in the hot sun. I want to say Crazy Horse did this also, but don't hold me to it. It was some Famous American Indian and he had one hell of a neat dream. So, depending on the culture, it can be a very spiritual and cleansing experience. For me, if I get a sliver, it is the end of the world. Nothing spiritual about it; just painful.

Bobby Deal Loc: Loveland Colorado

Yes the practice is common in many Native American cultures as well as other cultures around the world. Many in America were first introduced to the practice by Dustin Hoffman's performance in the movie Little Big Man where he was suspended as part of his coming of age ceremony. If I remember reading the trivia on the movie correctly his suspension scene in the movie was not Hollywood trickery but he actually allowed himself to be suspended in the traditional way with Deer Antler spikes through the breast tissue

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

The first thing I thought of when I read your post was Little Big Man. Wisely, I refrained from saying anything. I loved that movie. But I did not know about Dustin Hoffman really doing that.

Bobby Deal Loc: Loveland Colorado

Don't take that as gospel, I Seem to recall something about Hoffman and suspension in my research but I have not seen the movie in years. On a quick search now I think I may be confusing it with Richard Harris in "A Man Called Horse"

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

These images are not the kind that require un-seeing. Excellent photography interesting subjects. The images I can not un-see, not photographs, but real, are those involved in forensic work. The photograph of such are in most horror movies, we become hardened, but when viewed in person are etched in the mind and are disturbing for an extended time.

Soon after I joined UHH there was a "perhaps nude" photo, excellent lighting, superb pose. Before I got around to down loading the image was removed along with the submitter. I wanted to know the details of such wonderful lighting. The pose showed only the edge of the breast and the hip .... nothing that a Hard-shell Baptist should disapprove of, but there was a Queen Victoria Neurotic man and woman who writhed in pain and anguish. They prevailed in many comments for a while and were finally beaten down and decided to leave this den of iniquity called UHH.

When the Rigid/Neurotic/Perversion thoughts of a few set the agenda for the world, well ... we backslide to the dark-ages. Do not let your photography fall victim to that type of censorship.

Bobbee

I do have to say, your photography certain beats the birds postings. As soon as I click on links and see your face as the poster I know I am in for a treat, just like the other guy who does the nice job on the B&W photos. (surprised he has not chimed in yet) Nice to see you two post here. We aspire!!!

Thank you for entertaining us. Vegas certain seems to be a great spot for different things. Bobbee

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

One of the most important roles of the photographer is to document life - ALL aspects of life, even those aspects that some people might find odd, abnormal, or even unsettling. (Where would we be without the very brave legions of war photographers - they bring us far more unsettling images that are very important for us to see!)

While this particular fetish is not MY cup of tea, you have captured their passion for it with this set of exquisite photos. Thanks for sharing with us.

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Bobby

Only seeing from my iPhone, but the photography is super! The body painting also looks quite well done. My question is surely this wasn't done in your studio? Where did you go to capture this 'ritual' and how did you get that really well done white background? Thanks. Gotta go to work!

Tom

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

I forgot about that one.

Bobby Deal Loc: Loveland Colorado

I too have seen and photographed far more disturbing things in life. The disclaimer is simply because the overall structure of this particular community is as a rule very conservative. I have been chastised more than once for my work in the short time I am here. These particular images always draw their share of negative commentary wherever I show them so no I display them with an option to not be forced to see them if you open the thread.

Personally I find it astonishing that this community so shuns nudity and art of an erotic nature of any kind. Setting up a members only forum where only adults who choses to view the works can access it is not difficult. The nude forum has long been at the heart of the artistic world.

The human psyche is interesting though. It seems we are predetermined to do that which we are warned against. I used to own a gallery downtown in Las Vegas and in this gallery I would hang one piece that I deemed could not be unseen once it had been seen. I would hang it behind a red velvet curtain and visitors to the show would be instructed to look at their own peril that what was behind it was an image so unexpected that it would cause even the most stalwart man to react with a strong emotional response. There was no blood or gore, nothing was dead or being tortured it was just an image of unexpected impact. The result was out of several thousand visitors who were warned upfront not to look behind the red velvet curtain all but one , yes one single individual disregarded the warning and looked anywise. The 2 images that were used in this display can be Found Here but be forewarned they contain nudity and are NSFW

By the way the images were taken on stage at a public performance

Bobby Deal Loc: Loveland Colorado

Thanks and yes the work Russ presents is amazing and I am personally looking forward to meeting him and shooting with him for a couple days next month.

Vegas is a great place to find the unusual but if you know where to look you can find the unusual in almost every little town in the world. Vegas is just a little more realistic about the existence of more than one loaf of bread than most cities are.

Bobby Deal Loc: Loveland Colorado

I could not agree with you more about the importance of the photographer in society as a documentarian. I must say that those who practice this would recoil at referencing it as a fetish. Labeling it as a fetish supposes that it is rooted in sexuality and for all my research I can not find any references to it as being a sexual act. It is to those who practice it a very spiritual act.

Bobby Deal Loc: Loveland Colorado

Yes it was done in my studio and the white background is a simple matter of proper lighting. The particular technique used here has been described and charted in more than one of my initial threads here on UHH

Bobbee

WOW, the two of you in the same state, same city and even with extremely close proximity to each other. Is that like the forbidden rule of time travel like occupying the same space at the same time. I can feel the earth starting to SHUTTER now with the expectation. This may be like in "Colossus, The Forbin Project" when the American Super Computer realized there was a Russian Super Computer and they connected the two up. Things were never the same. I def respect both of your work and the advice you give here. I hope the meeting is enjoyable. Looking forward to you next posts.

BTW, on the topic of you other reply. One may, or may not like a certain piece of photography but I don't think you are an photographer in the true sense of the word if you try to restrict the many avenues of the artistry. I am certainly a big fan of any type of people photography, and although I joke about it once in a while, I would not like to REALLY be the one to tell people they cannot put pictures of birds out there. To tell you the truth, once in a while I fins them interesting.