Fashion Nude: Voyeurism

In my many endeavors in art, I have always found a passion in nude work. Even arriving at photography as my main mode of expression the "nude" aspect of my work has lured its way back to me. I think honestly, it  never left but I choose to focus elsewhere to hone my skills in (what was then) a new art medium for me. Now going into my sixth year shooting photography I now begin to strongly revisit the nude but with a different direction. 

The fashion nude is a deviant or sublet of fashion photography, much like beauty, lifestyle etc which deals with, in my opinion, a raw emotional, sensual and sexual approach to fashion. This sub category of fashion transcends beyond just "clothing" but also makes the bare body viewed as "fashion." For the term "fashion" can mean, the things/items that are deemed in style (hence fashionable) or can very well retain the meaning of, "the way in which you do something." To expand on the latter definition, as of late, I have been conducting shoots in a voyeuristic fashion.

A voyeur is someone who finds gratification (sexually) from observing others dress/undress or watching others perform sexual acts in secret. Like a peeping tom in short. So you may ask, "why do I choose to shoot in this manner?" The answer is multifaceted, first, it is to simply engage my audience and create a visual interaction personally. In other words, Im making whoever views my images feel like they are the voyeur themselves. This approach creates a intimate connection with the audience and makes the viewer view moments they weren't meant to see. My second purpose in shooting in this fashion, helps me to capture raw moments, "as is" and not in a artificial "posed" manner.

I tend to tell models to "look away" from the camera or look past it and just "be." For it is these moments that Im looking to capture and the emotional expressions give life to the photo. The mouth opened expressions, hair gripping moments, wildly flipping hair motions, in motion captures, clothes pulling tension, and caressing of the body all creates a stimulating and engaging photos. Models who over-stand this direction create impact photos. These are the type of photos that will stir the viewer and hold their attention to be forever burned into their memory. These captures are more than just a pretty picture and yes sometimes, a direct posed shot can create that type of impact but for me, I seek the emotion & moment.

Teaser: Moda Erotica *update*

It's been a while...

However, my absence isn't without great cause, for I have been working diligently as always & been putting alot of time into the production of my upcoming book, "Moda Erotica." There's still much work that is needed to be done, not so much in terms of shooting or the designing the book but more so on the business side of things...marketing, cost analysis, sponsorships, you know...the usual.

Now, currently I'm in the last stages of shooting, editing and choosing the last batch of models I desire for the book.  There are about five more models needed for the artistic production to be complete. 

All in all, I've worked with some very talented & gorgeous group of models for, Moda Erotica in addition to working with a talented team of muas, hair stylists & wardrobe stylists has certainly been very rewarding collaboration in producing the final images.

I'm really, really, really excited about my first book and even more excited to showcase this product to you all! 

From an artist speaking to other artists, directors, art collectors, enthusiasts, pupils and appreciators of artists and art alike...this will certainly be a book that you all will enjoy...

stay tuned...

be photographic.

Moda Erotica

cover model: Irene Sanchez

"Moda Erotica" fotograohia di Michael Knight

Its been a little while since I lasted posted here on the blog. There's just so been much going on recently in the business of photo shoots & editing work, that I just haven't had enough time to write here. In the midst of working on client projects, I decided to start casting & shooting models for my new book, "Moda Erotica."

Moda Erotica, is the Italian translation for "erotic fashion." This body of photos is a tasteful, captivating, nude view of the feminine body, sensuality and a raw depiction of fashion. Moda Erotica, creates a interesting juxtaposition of "desire," between the fashion and the model which gives the viewers a choice of desiring the fashion or the model...in some cases even both! 

The process of the book is still underway, I have much done already but there's much to be done in the way of casting a few more models, shooting, editing, and the designing the layout of the book etc (I know sounds like a lot).  However, I will keep you all posted any new updates of Moda Erotica which is scheduled for release in Jan 2012 ;-).

stay tuned for more...

be photographic.

Unveiled Beauty: The Haram of Islam

I am aware and do realize that this set of images will be offensive to many people who profess to Islam. Though, my intention is not to offend, but only to express my personal  and artistic viewpoint in regards to this topic.  So I do issue a word of caution, to tell potentially offended viewers to be advised of the images, written content and to refrain from viewing this blog beyond this point. 

 

In Islam, it is considered "haram," or "divinely forbidden," for a woman to show any part of her body or to reveal her "awra," which is the Islamic term for the part(s) of body that will entice or attract the desire of a man. The awra is also considered to be, "the shame," of a woman. In other words, those particular parts of the female body is considered shameful. However, I do disagree with this view of Islamic ideology because anything created  naturally, through the divine act of sex, should not be considered a shame. 

Why would the breasts of a woman, which provides the essential nourishment for all children on the planet, be a shame? Why would the essence of a woman's vagina, which is the only gateway for life and continuity, be a shame? In fact, to me, women are the most beautiful, divine & sacred beings on this earth, who deserves much praise. If you don't believe me, just look at the ancient spiritual systems throughout the world, because it is then you will see (what modern religion has made chauvinistic & against natural law) the divine feminine of God...the Goddess.  So it is not the woman nor her body or any other aspect of femininity that is to be considered shameful, but it is in fact the chauvinistic aspect and oppression of the divine feminine that is to be considered, "a shame."

stay tuned for more...

be photographic.

Stoked: An Intimate Depiction of Drug Usage In Our Society.

The set of images is not aimed at glorifying the usage of drugs however, it is geared towards showing a intimate depiction of the act which takes place privately within the levels of our society.

(note: The above set uses sugar and not actually the intended drug portrayed.)  

Drug usage is an epidemic that runs its roots deep within our society. From the over usage of prescription drugs to the illegal after market drugs, it has touched the lives of many people and has ruined the lives of many more. Often times, people only see the effects of heavy drug usage in its declining transition of the physical, mental and social stages. However, typically we do not see, "the act," whether its pill by pill, snort by snort, or injection by injection, of the very substance(s) that destroys the life of its user.

I've posted this image on a few public sites and have gotten interesting array of responses. Many of which came by the way of, "silence." People practically were avoiding to comment on this set, which clearly shows the sensitive nature of this topic. So finally someone expressed their opinion about this set and stated, "This model looks very pretty...With the rampant drug use in our society I don't think that presenting it in a glorified manner is really necessary." Even this is quote from one user, there are others who noted how attractive the model is so it is understandable how people can view the set to be, "glorifying the use of drugs," but that can only be viewed at the surface level. 

By the surface level, I am referring to some people will only view the image as a attractive woman snorting cocaine, and I do emphasize, "attractive woman". In using an attractive female whose fashionably dressed, glamorous, and appears to socially fit within a certain level of society; one can view this to be an attempt to glorify drug usage due to these factors. We must consider that we have people in our society who fit this profile which is what this set to represent. Some are our impressionable youth (i.e., young college students), some are our in the working class (i.e., co-workers, relatives), and others are at the high class or celebrity status (i.e., Whitney Houston, Robert Downey Jr.), many of which are full of attractive people. The model in this case, can appear to fit in any one of these areas of society, with that expressed, glorification of drugs is clearly not aimed in this set but I can understand where this view comes from.

Many of us have relatives, close friends, & co-workers who fell victim to drugs. By viewing these images, one can have a chilling reminder of that. Overall, the feedback from both those who expressed their views and from those who did not, spoke volumes about the reality of drug usage in this society. This set also reminded  me of how powerful art can be, not just in its imagery, but in its subjectivity...for art is always subject to ones opinion.

stay tuned for more...

be photographic.

Photographers Etiquette

I am often asked by people and amateur photographers about, "how do I shoot with gorgeous female models and not try to come on to them." First and foremost, its called being a professional and I will never conduct myself in a manner that will jeopardize my reputation as a pro. I labels photogs who do this as, P.P.P (Pussy Pulling Photographers) because they use the art of photography as a means to take advantage of women. Secondly, to reinforce my code of conduct, I apply the principles of, "photographers etiquette," to all of my shoots.

Etiquette is described as, "a code of social behavior established by any form of class, group, or society to fit any occasion." In the business of model photography, of any form, whether it is fashion or glamour, a truly professional photographer must apply these rules of conduct when working with a model subject.

1. DO NOT TOUCH THE MODELS: This rule is very important because it keeps the model at ease & comfortable and it keeps you (the photographer) from being labeled as a creep or GWC (which is bad for your reputation & business).

Photographers, there is no place at any time where you should touch the model but if you must, simply ask permission while stating your intent to do so, it puts the model at ease when you need to adjust anything on them.

Photographers shooting lingerie, implied or nude work,  you do not and need not to ask or attempt to apply oil on a model. I assume models (and people in general) use lotion daily with no assistance, so I'm pretty sure they can manage that task alone (you creep). 

2. GIVE AN QUICK OVERVIEW: Tell the model a brief overview of what kind of mood or expression they should portray for the shoot. This works well because now the model can focus on those things with minimum direction & lets the photographer focus on capturing  images rather than directing pose by pose.

3. CHOOSE YOUR WORDS WISELY: Particularly when shooting any type of implied, lingerie or nudes you want to make sure you always keep your words as professional as possible to avoid making the model feel uncomfortable. No intimate talk or anything that would suggest your, "coming on," to a model, its a sure way to be labeled in the "creep files," if you do.

4. RESPECT THE MODEL SPACE: Just like you would anyone else, models are people too, don't intrude into their personal space. Even if its a close shot, get the shot you want and back away.

5. BE ENTHUSED & GIVE ENCOURAGEMENT: Let the model know that the looks and posing are good throughout the shoot. Even if they aren't, you can direct them to your liking so when the models finally gets it right, you just simply praise and encourage the direction of what they did that was right.

stay tuned for more...

be photographic.

The Muse Files: Porsha Terry

Every artist, at some point in time, comes across a person who motivates their creative thoughts with just their presence or ideas or even how critical one can be...

From the more conceptual shoots to the raw, organic shots...this model has been the front runner for them all. Porsha Terry, is to me what the special forces is to the military...one of the best. She'll take up any experimental concept I'll think of. Even when she doesn't like an idea and argues with me & gives resistance...she'll do it (eventually, lol). She's definitely my most critical model, indeed, but no matter how much we bump heads over an idea...in the end, the photos speak for themselves & she always smiles at the results.

Arie-Natural light, clothing by: Aerie by American Eagle

Watching You... - (2) 200 watt continuous lights, 1 with blue gel filter. Shot behind doorway.

First attempt at voyeur style shoot, wanting to make the viewer feel like a peeping tom.

An old image (oct '09) but still my favorite shot...

stay tuned for more...

be photographic.