Photography in BDSM (Full Version)

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MasterShibari -> Photography in BDSM (10/10/2007 1:08:54 PM)

So this thread is about photography as a form of S/m play, and the psychology behind it.  Primarily, I’m interested in two things.

1).  Do you use photography as a form of play, and if so, how?
2).  What does a picture or movie of yourself or your partner in a compromising situation mean to you?

So what do I mean by this, as always, I will start by using myself as an example.  To me, photography in BDSM is more than just taking pictures to document fun scenes or memorable moments; it is a form of submission in itself.  For me, its not about pornography.  When I am photographing a partner, be she bound, nude, performing a sexual act, in a submissive posture, in revealing clothing, or merely showing more openness then she would in a normal photo, the act itself is one of submission.

It takes an incredible amount of trust to allow oneself to be photographed, to allow for a permanent copy of your submission to be made.   One that, lets be honest here, you will have no control over once it is made.  When a submissive, or even a vanilla partner, allows me to photograph her, it is a gift (one which happens to be one of my favorites to receive).  Yes, if I am Doming then it is something I can take at will, but it is so much more meaningful, and exciting, if it is something that is offered while I am Topping. 

So, as always I’d love to hear your views.
M. Shibari



Aileen68 -> RE: Photography in BDSM (10/10/2007 2:08:23 PM)

I was with someone for about seven months and one of his requirements was a new picture every week.  Sometimes he had specific instructions of what to wear and what kind of pose, but usually I was given artistic license and allowed to do whatever I wanted.   I loved doing them for him and it gave a link between us since we weren't able to see each other as often as we would have liked.  I love expressing myself through photography.



LATEXBABY64 -> RE: Photography in BDSM (10/10/2007 2:31:52 PM)

Photographers are just Horny picture takers. Use a camera to get to get close to subs or Dommes. Just think they are really doing their fetish in a different way. yep



Decimus -> RE: Photography in BDSM (10/10/2007 2:38:34 PM)

*chuckles* I HATE photos. Aerith HAS to use her domme powers to get me into them, lol.



MasterShibari -> RE: Photography in BDSM (10/10/2007 3:14:03 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: LATEXBABY64

Photographers are just Horny picture takers. Use a camera to get to get close to subs or Dommes. Just think they are really doing their fetish in a different way. yep


Sorry, could you rephrase this.  I believe I understand what you are trying to say but your message is a little unclear.



littlebitxxx -> RE: Photography in BDSM (10/10/2007 3:14:09 PM)

I knew my ex-Master was snap happy but when he handed me a CD with over 200 photos taken over several months, I was flabbergasted.  Thank God for blindfolds!  I hate cameras and won't step in front of one if I can help it.  It was great to see what we had been doing though.  Sorta like..."So that's what that was that I felt!  Cool!"

Done properly, I imagine photography during scenes can be erotic.  For me, hand me the damned blindfold first!



Prinsexx -> RE: Photography in BDSM (10/10/2007 3:40:28 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MasterShibari

So this thread is about photography as a form of S/m play, and the psychology behind it. 
[/quote}
This is a welcome thread...thankyou MasterShiban....welcome because it's given me the opportunity to thunk and consider the role of photography in s/m. Some of the most beautiful photographs I think are now openly available as 'arthouse' type stuff both in galleries and as hard copy..........use of light and shade, emotion, abstraction, erotically 'hidden' themes are all there within the genre...I had a relationship within which photography played a major role as a control mechanism....at first he took quite 'pretty', domestic almost wholesome photographs of me.....from behind, walking upstairs serving food....then the content became more erotic.....semi-clothed, bending over....then more formally dressed for play....lingerie, heels, lace and then of course more sexualised and/or resstrained.......he usually excluded himself from the pictures and when the pictures were snapped during contact he also mostly excluded himself. This is because I think it added to their voyeuristic possibilities for him.
I only have a few of them....when we split he hacked into a gmail account and eradicated most of them as that's how I had them stored.
Time passes and in my ageing  process I look back on EVERYTHING I did when I was younger with a sense of preciousness. Had I  known now that the body I had then (and will always be, no matter how it changes) one of life's most precious gifts, I woild have celebrated every single picture that had ever been taken of me.
Each picture a dominant has taken of me was an act of submission and each phtograph I have been asked to take of myself, each pic sent by mobile phone, each time i have been asked to appear on web cam: likewise an act of submission.
I have cut off my cl;othing, clamped my nipples, self-harmed and masturbated in order that  beloveds have been able to capture an image of me and I consider it an honour that they would want to do so.
One of a series of pictures I was asked to dress for appears on the cover of one of my books.
One of my projects is to engage with a photograper who will take pictures of me submitting with Him. I have today deep bruises on my arm where he left his bites and a wheal across my bottom. They are beautiful because of the context in which I received them and are my prizes, my bagdes of honour and a long lating reminder of fleeting moments of pure connection and pleasure.
My publisher wants a book of pistures of me submitting so if their are any willing snappers out there let me know.
Thank you for asking.



adoracat -> RE: Photography in BDSM (10/10/2007 4:22:01 PM)

~fast reply~

i am ok with my body.  my first g/f adored taking my pic....and so did my late master.

Sir loves taking my photo,a nd has taken some 60+ photos in the 6 months we've been together...i blush at his enthusiasm, but it makes him happy.

kitten



Tigrita -> RE: Photography in BDSM (10/10/2007 4:34:59 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MasterShibari
1).  Do you use photography as a form of play, and if so, how?

I've never experienced it specifically as part of the play its self.  My ex was a photographer and I'm actually surprised we didn't end up having more naughty photo sessions, since his camera was always at hand.  I guess we were always too distracted by live action to think about stopping for or setting up pics.  I've never actually had any really 'compromising' pics of me until very recently.  Those were spontaneous and fun, not really 'a form of play'.  
quote:


2).  What does a picture or movie of yourself or your partner in a compromising situation mean to you?

It is a very intense reminder and external view of the experience.  It is a little shocking to see them, since in my own head I usually see myself as stong, independent, dominant in most circumstances except with my partner.  Though I enjoy being sexually submissive, it is strange to actually see it, especially things that were mentally or emotionally challenging at the time.  Very odd conflicting combination of feelings of being kind of impressed with myself, and a little abashed at the same time.

quote:

 
be she bound, nude, performing a sexual act, in a submissive posture, in revealing clothing, or merely showing more openness then she would in a normal photo, the act itself is one of submission.

It takes an incredible amount of trust to allow oneself to be photographed, to allow for a permanent copy of your submission to be made.   One that, lets be honest here, you will have no control over once it is made.

I agree, it is an act of submission in its self, I never thought about that specifically, but yes, very true.  I certainly wouldn't trust just anyone to photograph me like that. Thinking of it this way does make it an even more meaningful connection, thank you for that perspective. 

I also want to add that I've started going to a shibari group and volunteering to be one of the demo girls.  The instructor has asked/offered to photograph me.  I'm a little hesitant for privacy reasons, but I would truly love to have artistic photos of myself in shibari bondage.  It is so beautiful; such a creative, expressive, artistic embodiment of submission in its self.  Unlike other photos or experiences I have, it doesn't reflect an emotional connection to another person, since I don't do this with my dominant (he's long distance and doesn't know shibari).  But I feel so alive in shibari bondage, regardless of who does the tying, and I'd love to have it captured artistically for its beauty and a reminder of the feeling.  I can't think of any other BDSM activities that I'd enjoy having pics of in a way that is so disconnected from the person who put me in the comprimising position. 



RRafe -> RE: Photography in BDSM (10/10/2007 4:39:15 PM)

I never post things I don't have agreements to post. Would break trust. I also crop out or blur faces of those who worry about being seen, but whether I use them commercially or not it thier choice. When I take a digital image of the private nature-I edit it and let the bottom review it-then delete the origional.



LuckyAlbatross -> RE: Photography in BDSM (10/10/2007 4:58:21 PM)

Nope, I am a mess when I play.  Although some say they find that hot.

I enjoy erotic photography though, with lots of good lighting, posing, costuming and make up.

But realistic in motion pictures?  Not this fat lady.



Tigrita -> RE: Photography in BDSM (10/10/2007 4:58:56 PM)

Also thought it interesting to mention my photos almost got a public presentation by accident just yesterday!  Dude at the computer shop diagnosing my spazzy new laptop opened my photo folder without asking, to see if photo apps worked, and luckily picked the only folder of 4 that wasn't full of naughty photos of me!  Whew, that wasclose, as nice tiled preview display popped up.  I very quickly sputtered "yeah, okay, gimme that! The photo application works fine, try the web browser..."



DiurnalVampire -> RE: Photography in BDSM (10/10/2007 5:17:58 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: LATEXBABY64

Photographers are just Horny picture takers. Use a camera to get to get close to subs or Dommes. Just think they are really doing their fetish in a different way. yep


I take personal offense to that.
I am a photographer. I do not need to use my campera to get cloe to people. I enjoy taking pictures and making people look good.

Personally, I use photography when I play as a form of humiliation. I have never shown anyone but the boy in the pictures any f them, but they have to trust I will, and know that the files do exist. Quite effective most of the time.

Dv





Domin8tingUrDrmz -> RE: Photography in BDSM (10/10/2007 5:31:10 PM)

I also find that statement rather insulting.

I too am an avid photographer.  Pictures I take are of people who are close to me on a personal level.  I could get close to them with or without a camera; it isnt my excuse to be near them.

However, I find erotic photography to be a very beautiful artform, which I enjoy viewing and capturing.  It saves beautiful moments for a lifetime.  Memories fade, pictures (if preserved well) can last forever!



feralcat -> RE: Photography in BDSM (10/10/2007 7:00:11 PM)

Hey there littlebitxxx!
That is exactly why I take so many pictures,to show someone "where they have been" during a scene. I use a lot of hoods and bondage when I play , so sometimes even familiar things are "new" because you have no eyes or hands to "see" them with....funny how removing senses can make something old new again. I also like capturing that vulnerable feeling while bound. Many are not happy with having someone take pictures of them. The "no eyes" gives them a comfort zone.

As for me,I like revisiting emotions,pictures do that for me.

Ms Feral



Sexynmentalinkc -> RE: Photography in BDSM (10/10/2007 7:51:47 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Domin8tingUrDrmz

However, I find erotic photography to be a very beautiful artform, which I enjoy viewing and capturing.  It saves beautiful moments for a lifetime.  Memories fade, pictures (if preserved well) can last forever!





/second-emphatically

An artform, a fun wonderful activity and always a joy. :)


** tips his hat **

- Mr. S



proudsub -> RE: Photography in BDSM (10/10/2007 8:46:25 PM)

My first dom posted a picture of me in a photo contest on a web site without my permission, that ended our reltaionship.[:o]



DarkAndLovely -> RE: Photography in BDSM (10/10/2007 9:04:15 PM)

I enjoy the sensual and imaginative erotic photography.
I enjoy the edge, that is alluring but also leaves a lot to
the imagination.
I enjoy being intrigued, and teased with someone with their
clothes on.
The art of seduction, is often a lost art, but when it is captured
with a photograph it is marvelous.



kittyinpink -> RE: Photography in BDSM (10/10/2007 9:11:16 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: LATEXBABY64

Photographers are just Horny picture takers. Use a camera to get to get close to subs or Dommes. Just think they are really doing their fetish in a different way. yep


There will always be someone out there ready to exploit any type of artwork for selfish gain (be it sex or money)...  But I think that's hardly the norm!



LATEXBABY64 -> RE: Photography in BDSM (10/10/2007 9:47:47 PM)

well it is all  a matter of perspective  shrugs



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