Women by Women.
by James Cook
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"Women
by Women" book party
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A recent book available now features the work of internationally know photographers.
"Women by Women" is a book of erotic photography by all female
photographers. What makes a woman's perspective of the female form unique?
I had the opportunity to talk with 3 of the books 40 photographers during
a recent book party held here in Los Angeles.
I was invited by my longtime friend, Ivana Ford. Ivana has been photographing
nude models for more than 10 years. She was my still photographer for
FTV during the early videos (1999-2001). She worked with me shooting stills
for The Pauliina Talus video, Carmen Cotter, Valentina Chepiga and Lisa
Bavington. Ivana's work is featured in several pages of "Women by
Women". The thing that strikes you immediatly about Ivana's photography
(www.powerdivas.com and www.vixenobscura.com) is a very dark and almost haunting image of the female physique. "She
was great to work with!" said Shantelle (www.shantelle.net).
Shantelle is one of the models that is featured in the book and has worked
with Ivana on several shoots. "she made me feel very relaxed, And
she's so beautiful too!" she laughs.
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(From
left to right) Ivana Ford, Christine Kessler and Ashley Fontenot
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On my video shoots,
I remember Ivana as very pleasant to work with also. She was quiet and
would observe things very carefully. Capturing what it was like to actually
BE with Valentina Chepiga is all about observing. That's where Ivana excelled
and that's where I felt she really defined her style. So here lies a partial
answer as to what defines the difference between a male perspective of
an erotic photo to a womans perspective on an erotic photo. For most photographers,
the shot is the 'double bicep' or the 'lat spread'. Basically, a bland
"mugshot of muscles". For Ivana, the shot is Valentina in her
bikini seated at a counter, smoking a cigarette and waiting for the next
video setup. At the time, I was too consumed with the technical aspects
of getting the video shot to notice these things, But Ivana was there.
Observing. And when I look at these photos nearly 3 years later, I say
"yeah, THAT'S how I remember Valentina Chepiga".
Flipping
through the pages of "Women by Women" you begin to see the unique
perspective women offer to erotic photography. It's like venetian blinds
partially open to reveal only what the photographer wants you to see.
Ashley Fontenot ( www.ashleyfontenot.com
) is another photographer who attended the party and whose works are featured
in the book. "I've always been drawn to the subtle beauty of darker
imagery. This coupled with my admiration for beautiful women has opened
doors for me creatively. I feel the most satisfaction when I create a
beautiful image of a woman.". I chatted with the soft-spoken artist
at the party. She's been a photographer for about 3 years and shoots exclusively
digital photography. She started shooting amatuer adult stuff and still
works in the adult industry, providing content for web sites like Danny's
Hard Drive. "There's not a lot of women who do porn photography!"
she laughs. But her passion is for "fetish erotica" or "fetish
fashion" as it is called. " I like bright colors in my work"
she says. "A man will like different parts on a woman. For me, the
face is the most important part".
Another
photographer I met was Christine Kessler. Christine maintains several
of her own members sites. ( www.MyFetishDiary.com
, www.Toeandarch.com and www.PervCity.com
) She has a background in traditional photography since 1985 and now shoots
exclusively digital. "One third of my members at myfetishdiary.com
are women. I don't know much about them really" she says. Her perspective
on woman's erotic photography? "Men are focused on genetalia and
intercourse. Women's photography has a softer quality" She is now
diving into video for her members. "I hate it." she laughs "I
want to turn the video camera to the side and shoot lengthwise!"
I feel your pain, Christine.
Another photographer
from the book, Elisa Lazo DeSantos (www.visioluxus.com)
summarizes, "The models discover that working with a woman photographer
is quite a different experience than working with a man. They are more
relaxed and open, naturally sensual and more prone to laugh and enjoy
themselves. There is no undercurrent of sexual tension and the results
are wonderful"
Wonderful indeed.
