What's Erotic to You?

Yulia shot in Budapest

Since I have moved back to the USA, I have noticed that there seems to be a stigma towards anything labelled ‘erotic’. It begs the question, do people really understand the difference between erotica and pornography. Many people seem to infer that my work is pornographic, however, if we respect the English language, they are applying a very subjective definition of the term. Pornography involves depicting sexual acts, in other words, pictures or video of people engaged in the act of sexual intercourse, fucking.

At least, that is how the state of Florida defines pornography. So, what is Eroica or Eroticism? Let’s start with this definition that I got from Wikipedia:

Eroticism is a philosophical contemplation with a focus on the aesthetics of sexual desire, sensuality and romantic love: ‘the very word “erotic” implies superior value, fine art, an aesthetic which elevates the mind and incidentally stimulates the body’.

I happen to agree with this definiton. It’s exactly how I approach my own erotic nude photography. I aim for artistic value, aesthetics, and I am trying to turn on the mind. 

I think these days, the mix of nudes, erotic art, porn, fetish - and whatever else is out there - has blurred the lines. How you define one genre in comparison to another is completely subjective. I tend to classify erotic art as something that is sensual and suggestive without being too overt in sexual content. It’s a broad definition to say the least, but it’s one that allows me a certain amount of creative freedom as well. I have to trust my own judgement and sometimes I do find that I have gone too far. Other people may approach erotica very differently and what we used to think of erotic in the past, well, we see that everyday in advertising and on our TV screens. 

How do you define Eroticism and Pornography? I am curious.

Want to stay up to date on my work? Follow me here:

Buy my PRINTS
TWITTER
FACEBOOK
Tumblr
Vimeo
500px

Update! 2011 Fine Art Nude Workshops in Tuscany

Iveta in Tuscany, shot at my workshop in 2010

The past month has flown by me. I had corporate assignments in Mexico City and Houston, Texas, then came back to Europe for an eight hour drive to Tuscany, Italy for my holidays. At the moment, I am completely exhausted, but I already have so much to catch up on. I wanted to quickly update you regarding my Summer workshops in Tuscany.

The big news is that we have added another week of workshops from 26 June to 2 July, 2011. This will give us three weeks of fine art nude photography workshops this year in Tuscany. Our second week, from 3 July to 9 July has only one place remaining and the third week, from 10 July to 16 July, is fully booked. 

The main difference for this added week is that it will focus on what I like to call an ‘intimidation-free’ experience. In other words, no matter what level of proficiency or experience you have with fine art nude photography, this workshop will allow you to find your own creative space and help you to take amazing images with our experienced models.

This will be a no-stress, no-complications experience. You can learn at your own pace and comfort-level. In this workshop, you will learn everything you need to know to: contact, communicate with and direct models; how to find great images and control the lighting and locations to your needs; how to edit and select your images and how to process them for the best result.

For more information, or to sign-up, please click here to visit the ViewFinder Center.

Bound

Bound, shot at Orangerie le Club, Wängi, Switzerland

For me, this image evokes tension, allure, eroticism and playfulness. This was a fun shoot, organized by the model. We kept everything as simple as possible, which was a good thing, considering that we were in a sex club that was open for business. I am not into sex clubs, but this place is one of the nicest clubs of any kind I have been to, it really has a nice atmosphere. 

Feel free to share this image on your twitter feed or facebook profile using the convenient toolbar at the bottom of the browser window. Feel free to leave me a comment and let me know what type of posts you want to see in the future. What can I tell you about my work or shooting techniques, what would you like to know?

What do you do when a model asks you to remove her nude photos?

 You can’t look back and change the past.

What you are about to read is partly born out of recent frustrations, but I hope it also helps someone who comes upon a similar situation. 

Q: What do you do when a model asks you (for whatever reason) to remove her nude images from your portfolio?

A: If you have a signed model release, you are not obliged to do anything.

On more than one occasion, maybe 3-4 times now, models have informed me that they were no longer doing nudes or had quit modeling entirely and that they would prefer that I remove any nude images of them from my portfolios. These requests are based on career changes, new relationships, family issues, or sometimes the model simply has a change of heart and realizes that she made a mistake posing nude in the first place. 

I am not insensitive to models who want to make changes in their lives. Usually, and especially with amateur or first-time nude models, I am more than happy to come to an agreement on such issues. If I am given a valid reason, one that is convincing and ernest in my view, then I will consider removing the images from public display on my various websites. At the very least, I am happy to remove their credit line, or sometimes I will give them an alias so they cannot be easily identified or come up in search results. Only on the very rare occasion will I remove the images, and I will only do so for models who worked for free and are personal friends, but only when they are not working models. In these cases, they are simply friends who posed for me. 

What I will not do is remove images for semi-pro or full-time working models who were paid for their time. In these cases, I have their signed model releases on file. This is exactly why I have those releases. A signed model release is an insurance policy. You are paying the model not only for her time, but also for her guarantee that she is not going to turn around and suddenly decide that her entire nude portfolio should be discarded. 

I respect anyone’s right to change their mind, to take a new direction in their life. However, if I pay for a shooting, I want to be sure that the time, money and efforts I invest do not go to waste. This can include prep work, makeup artists, location/studio fees, shooting time, post-processing, meals, transportation costs, etc. These things represent my investment in those images and I expect to be able to use them forever. If a model does not want her name on the images, that is one thing, but to ask me to remove them from my portfolio is quite another, it’s a slap in the face. 

For photographer’s, I offer a simple solution. If you are working with a new or amateur model, make the simple suggestion that she use an alias for her nude work. It’s quite a simple way to resolve future problems, provided the model keeps her real identity separate from her nude model identity. Yes, it’s more work for the model to have a nude and non-nude identity, but in the long run, she will thank you for the suggestion. I wish more models would use aliases, but it seems that the trend, at least in my small world, is that more and more often, they tend to use their legal names. Of course, they have to use their legal names on their contracts, but online they can have a separate identity, which also affords them some personal security as well.

However, my best advice to young models, if you are going to do nude modeling, do not do it on a whim, or on a dare or because you need the money to buy some new shoes or makeup. Do it because you want to create great images that you can be proud of when you are older and looking back on your life. Find the best photographers, build a body of work, and have pride in what you do. But if you do nude modeling, you must be aware that you can’t suddenly decide to erase the past. You cannot expect the photographers, makeup artists, etc. — those collaborators who helped you to build your career up — to willingly discard their hard work.

And, quite frankly, in this day of blogs and social media, I could never remove images permanently from the internet. My images are blogged all over the place, in many cases without my knowledge. Once my images are online, they are online forever in one form or another and there is nothing I can do to change that.

One final word, what I have written here is simply my personal opinion. It’s not right or wrong, it is simply my personal perspective. If you have a different opinion, a suggestion, a comment or another question, please use the comments area below to express yourself. I would love to have other inputs, feedback and ideas.

I am planning to write more articles on the topic of working with models, and especially how things work for me as a fine art nude photographer. Please let me know if you have specific questions that you would like me to address.

- Bryon Paul McCartney

My 2011 Workshops

     

Hello everyone,

PLEASE NOTE: Both nude weeks are filling up quickly, week one is already half-full and week two is nearly completely full. sRegistrations are on a first come first served basis. If you are interested in attending, please register as soon as possible.

I am happy to announce my 2011 Art Nude Photography workshops in Tuscany. This is my third year teaching these workshops and I have enjoyed putting these events together along with my wife Kellie and also with support from Michele from il Poggiolo, all the models, and finally Dave Kai Piper.

If you aren’t that interested in nudes you can also check out my Beyond Postcards travel and landscapes in Tuscany photography workshops in April and June 2011. This workshops will show you some of my favorite locations in Southern Tuscany, allowing you to not only capture great photos with my instruction and guidance, but also to experience Tuscany with all of your senses.

Below is a press release. 

Kind regards,

Bryon Paul McCartney

Amore Toscana and Beyond Postcards
Photography Workshops

San Quirico d’Orcia, Tuscany, Italy

WINTERTHUR, Switzerland - (3 February 2011) - ViewFinder Center returns to Tuscany this spring and summer for a third season of photography workshops, led by award-winning fine art photographer Bryon Paul McCartney. New for this year is the Beyond Postcards: Landscape and Life photography workshops. Immediately following the summer session of Beyond Postcards, ViewFinder will hold its Amore Toscana Fine Art Nude Photography workshops, with two different six-day programs combining beautiful experienced models, stunning Tuscan landscapes and expert hands-on guidance.

Beyond Postcards: Landscape and Life photography workshop 

Offered two times this year, first in spring (17 - 24 April), and again in the summer (26 June - 2 July), this workshop will give photographers opportunities to learn new techniques and re-energize their creative approach to move from ordinary snapshots to making compelling images that reflect their own personal point of view. (One-week workshop Fee: €1850)

Amore Toscana Fine Art Nude Photography workshops

Workshop I. LIGHT, FORM & EXPRESSION  3 - 9 July, 2011

Light, form and expression are the foundations of fine art figure photography. This workshop will help photographers better understand how to work with these key elements. During shooting sessions, students  will learn how to “design” their images using natural lighting, posing techniques, light modifying equipment and post-processing technsiques. They’ll also develop skills to communicate ideas and effectively work with and direct models. We will also talk about where to find inspiration for images and how to get expressive images. (One-week workshop Fee: €2550)

Workshop II: Personal Vision & Portfolio 10 - 16 July, 2011

A photographer’s unique style does not happen by accident, it must be developed over time and will grow with confidence and experience. In this workshop, students will be challenged to explore and investigate their own individual ideas and intentions towards fine art nude photography. We will discuss and shoot various genres and techniques in fine art nude photography to encourage students to break out of the routine and further refine their own style. By expanding experiences, each photography will clearly focus on building up and advancing their personal work. (One-week workshop Fee: €2550)

“Photography workshops are a great way to re-energize your creative approach and dive deep into your hobby or craft,” says Bryon Paul McCartney, founder and director of ViewFinder Center for Photography. “We’ve developed each week to provide focused and intensive study, with hands-on instruction and interactive projects that give students the opportunity to immerse themselves in their passion for photography.”  

Against the backdrop of a stunning location that offers unlimited inspiration, each workshop is designed to provide a dynamic learning experience. Students will be challenged to explore their personal creative expression and master new technical skills. Students will take on several assignments and be responsible for delivering a portfolio of images for the closing night’s student showcase. 

The Workshop Experience

Each workshop is limited to eight (8) students to ensure that participants and the instructor have every opportunity to work together and create a personalized learning experience. Workshops include image review sessions, hands-on shooting and assignment work, as well as group discussions and critiques. “All the students will prepare a show of their work from the week and participate in the final evening’s slideshow,” says McCartney. “It’s a chance for everyone celebrate their accomplishments.”

In addition to providing an inspiring and rewarding learning experience, the workshops create a community of photographers. “We focus on small group workshops, with a mix of individual and group activities. Planning each day together over cappuccinos in the morning and exchanging stories and new techniques while dining on local specialties and Italian wines in the evening add to the community atmosphere and give workshop students opportunities to create a network of photography colleagues,” McCartney explains.   

Why Attend a Workshop? 

Having attended several workshops himself, McCartney takes the workshop experience very seriously. In short, you can be assured that Bryon and his team will challenge, teach and guide you through this experience. No portfolio or previous experience with models is required for the workshops, but students are asked to bring their best photos to share with the group at the beginning of each week. Past students have included intermediate amateurs and working professionals. 

Through shooting and post-processing photos, observing others, group discussions and reviews and individual feedback sessions with Bryon, each student will develop their photography skills and vision, whether they are taking their travel photography to a new level in the Beyond Postcards workshop, or exploring figure photography in one of the Fine Art Nude photography workshops. “At the end of their experience, students take away fantastic memories, new skills, a wealth of ideas and inspirations, and a new group of friends,” says McCartney. “Most importantly, they leave with their own personal portfolio of amazing new images from their time in Tuscany.”

The Location

San Quirico d’Orcia is in southern Tuscany, just off the beaten tourist path, but in the center of the famed region that produces Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montepulciano wines. According to McCartney, “This area stimulates all of the senses. The eyes with it’s romantic vistas and painted skies. The ears with the lively hum of village life. The nose with the inviting smell of the rustic Etruscan cooking. The tongue with bold flavors of the San Giovese wines. And, the hands and fingers with the earthy soils. It really is a pleasure to return here, year after year.” The workshops explore fascinating locations beyond its residence at il Poggiolo, including the natural hot springs of Bagni San Filippo, abandoned factories and farmhouses, and the local villages. 

“We selected this location especially to inspire our students,” says McCartney. “The beautiful il Poggiolo provides an ideal creative environment, high quality housing and spacious rooms for meeting, relaxing and, naturally, for taking great photos. To make the Amore Toscana workshops truly special, we add a high level of service and attention to detail so every student can relax and enjoy the week while they explore and develop their own photographic point of view.”

More details and registration online at http://www.viewfindercenter.com/photo-workshops-in-tuscany/