SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

My interest in my personal photography is to always be pushing the boundaries of, and creating what I feel is ART!
Secondary is to inspire other's creative thought to push their own boundaries.
Personally I feel this is one of the most beautiful pieces of photographic nude art I've ever created.
The model is unorthodox as is the genre of Shibari.
On the heels of my last discussion, I'd like to know WHAT and HOW you feel/think about this piece?
I'm glad to answer anything you might ask(when I'm here)
Feel free to critique any aspect of the image.
SS

Shibari Bodyscape

(Download)

Stephan G

It has been a long time ago when I first saw an example of Shibari. It is an art form that has been viewed and misused by several who do not appreciate and/or understand the Japanese mind view. "Bondage" is the wrong term, I think. It is closer to tattooing, using removable "ink". Instead of swathing the body in cloth, rope is used to bring out the patterns in the body.

Your photo is a study of three dimensional patterns created by the positioning of the roping and the light. It is well done. And well shot.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

OK here goes... took off my glasses and then further defocused viewing with one eye.... photo has too many things going. Using my hands to limit my viewing frame I came up with a rectangle that included the head, arm, and left breast. With that crop, it then becomes a bezar0 geometric photo... Category, art

InfiniteISO Loc: The Carolinas, USA

I think it is both, beauty and art, but those declarations are personal, I can't force my opinions on others. I have posted some shibari
(Kinbaku) mages here and was called sick. Get ready.

Since no-one else has commented I felt a need to go back and talk specifically about the image. I think the model is perfect for this art form. My main model and muse has been experimenting with suspension. The gentleman she's been working with, her rigger, normally works with a very rubenesque model. Being able to pull the rope slightly into the flesh gives the harnesses he ties an added dimension.

I think the lighting is excellent. One thing about images like this is you can move the lights and camera just a bit and get a completely different bodyscape. This is also true of a normal bodyscape, but because the revealed edges have a lot of texture I think the changes revealed by light movement are more dramatic.

Personally, I would not use a patterned climbing rope or sailing lines for this type of work, BUT...an interesting effect might be achieved by editing a couple of frames of this set to bring out the pattern colors and leave the rest of the image monochromatic.

JohnFrim Loc: Somewhere in the Great White North.

"Feel free to critique any aspect of the image."

OK, a slimmer sexier model would improve this image immensely -- IN MY OPINION!!!!

The message to me is mischief, bondage, sex, lust, etc, and I think it is intended to invite and arouse. But for me, the model spoils the mood.

Please note that I realize that not all women have a "perfect 10" body, and I can appreciate that this woman probably has as much desire for love, passion and sex as anyone else. As such she is entitled to sexual fulfilment with whatever techniques and fetishes please her. In fact, she might be "better in bed" than many more slender women.

I also believe that the percentage of men married to "perfect 10s" -- or even 9s or 8s -- is less than 50%, but I would also bet that the percentage of men who dream of sex with women like your model is also less than 50%. If I am going to use a photo to stimulate my fantasy it would not be this image.

Now, you said this image is art, and maybe in your opinion it is. But IN MY OPINION, if the intent to this art was to titillate, the photo missed its mark... for me.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Stephan, thanks. Yes I understand it was used originally to immobilize and transport prisoners, I assume by the Samurai. So it was important that the could not work loose.
Today it is used for art and bondage for sexual positions!
I use it as an alternative form of visual art!!!
Thanks
SS

Catnlion Loc: Arizona City, Arizona

A couple comments and a couple comments on the other comments.

I like the image and it maybe that it's because I'm viewing it on my phone but it's a bit to dark. I would love for it to be lighter so I can see where the rope digs into the skin. I've seen better tie patterns but you are talking hours to do the rope. And it's strictly a personal thing, which takes nothing away from you, her, or the picture but I don't care for nipple bars or rings. That's just me.

I think she is a 10. I guess having her would put you in the lucky group. I do agree the rope would be better if it was a solid color.

InfiniteISO Loc: The Carolinas, USA

John, I think you need a new framework to evaluate things you see here. Would you or I buy a copy of this work to hang on our wall? Probably not. If however, it was hanging in a show next to one of Rob's wonderful pinups, I would spend more time looking at this image than I would his, much more. Frankly I'm numb to slick photos of "perfect" woman, the internet is full of them.

This work is arresting, provocative, visceral, and yes, beautiful. As for marketable, there are rope studios and fetish clubs in our area that would hang an image like this, it is unique and well done.

JohnFrim Loc: Somewhere in the Great White North.

No, my friend, I don’t need a new framework. I have my own, I am entitled to it, and everyone was invited to critique any aspect of the photo. I did just that.

If hanging in a gallery next to a Rob Eng image I would like it no more, nor no less, than I do now. But with a “more enticing” (IN MY OPINION) model I would definitely like it more.

I mean no disrespect to the model with my comments. In fact, I think I have been polite but candid.

You want plain ropes, others want different lighting to “improve” the image; I would prefer a different model.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

LOL, John, thanks for the comments. I would not expect you to change your “framework”.
I’m interested in comments from all frameworks!
When I saw this model I knew I had to work with her. This concept had been on my mind for a while and she was very enthusiastic with what we might create.
I have many angles and views and crops of her. This one was a somewhat of a classic playboy pose in a VERY unorthodox way so as to confuse the sensibilities!
And the title might suggest that I knew it might strike everyone in a different way and I was interested in how that might be.
Nothing wrong with how you feel or what you like. And I agree that you don’t need to shoot nudes to know what you like. It matters not whether it’s easy or hard, only the end result matters. After the photographer has done their job, the rest is up to the viewer, it’s why we shoot, or at least why I shoot.
Thanks John
SS

Stephan G

You can get the yak to a jar of mayonnaise, but you can't get it to use a spoon.

We shoot to bring out what we see. We hope that the viewer can "read" what we saw. We can only hope that they have enough literacy to appreciate what they are looking at. There will always be those that do not understand, for whatever reason. We, photographers, cannot educate** anyone. All we can do is provide a stimulus while keeping our artistic fingers crossed.



[ ** Educating is not the same as explaining.]

JohnFrim Loc: Somewhere in the Great White North.

SS, I much prefer some of your other "art" work, like "D, a little different" posted on 1 Sep 2016. To me that was real art, and it was EXCELLENT!!!

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Sorry--the subject does nothing for me. It is, though, a fine photograph.

Jack47 Loc: Ontario

Probably the worse piece I’ve seen here and anywhere else. Absolutely nothing...............

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

It is a very interesting photo. I agree with the comment on the patterned climbing rope - although that sort of implies a playfulness to the scene - that no, she is not the victim of some sadistic person. And the ropes obviously are applied as art and not to prevent movement. I always wonder how long it takes and what contortions are required to apply these ropes! I like it very much and hope to see more of the genre.