Is photography sexual?

A good shoot is a mini love affair for me, but that has nothing to do with sex or eroticism.  I love to look at, be with, and photograph beautiful things (not just models) and I have found beauty in everyone I've ever photographed without exception.

Edited by more_m_photo

Sensual I think is probably right, perhaps particularly for women.

I have definitely seen times with models -- particularly amateur models and friends -- where it is clear that the process of posing is making my model think about her shape, think about its perception, engage with the idea that it is nice to look at, worthy of being looked at, etc.; I think that if the wider mood is relaxed, that sort of proprioceptive focus is often sensual and intriguing, and I know that life models have often described it as a self-aware meditative experience.

Behind the camera, I personally experience only terror and fear of failure or compositional inadequacy, punctuated by occasional feelings of mild success.

Edited by Unfocussed Mike

I've just realised how cold-hearted I am. I don't really get this. Everything is planned, and the model either shows initiative, or I work to a schedule to get everything done. Rapport is great, but it's not essential. With that said my more successful shoots have been where everybody is fully engaged. A model has to be pretty good just to go through the motions, and still turn in a capable set of images. It can be done, but I've seen it fail. As I recall David Bailey said: "You don't have to sleep with the model, but it helps." No wonder his wife left him.

Headshot said

I've just realised how cold-hearted I am. I don't really get this. Everything is planned, and the model either shows initiative, or I work to a schedule to get everything done. Rapport is great, but it's not essential.

I don’t mean to suggest that ultimately for serious models it’s anything other than a job, so I doubt you’re far off the mainstream.

I just think that the initial appeal probably has a lot to do with self-image and the surprising ways modelling changes it through quite a direct, intense experience of what it is like to be looked at, to take control of that, etc., which is an inherently sensuous process (using the word in its simplest meaning). I have certainly seen that working with amateurs and friends, yet I am a nerd who wouldn’t know a sensual environment if it bit me.

As a model, I am a little confused at the thought that shoots are sexual (or a love story). Connection - yes, certainly. But sexual or a falling in love situation? I would never say this about any of my shoots at all. In fact, I would feel absolutely awkward if I thought a photographer I am shooting with needed this line of thinking to produce great images together.

I now mostly only shoot with dance photographers (because that is where my main interest is), and I have great relationships and connections with these people without anything sexual or ‘loving’ happening. In fact, we talk about every day things (such as a new baby being on the way) so that would make it even more awkward!

I understand that maybe some shoots may feel sexual in nature due to the content, but everyday, SFW shoots? Not for me at least :)

Are baked beans sexual?

Depends who is bathing in them.

;)

I'm too preoccupied with the technicalities for it to be sexual but there's a good French word that sums it up for me: frisson, which translated means aesthetic chills. Not every time but when there's a connection and I'm in a flow state, it's a fun experience.

Edited by Peter B

I meant to comment on this ages ago.  Depends what you're shooting I guess, I assume this pertains to topless, nude, erotic etc.

I'm not sure sexual is the right word, however the best songwriters will tell you that if they don't feel something when they're writing a song, how can they expect the listener to?  It's the same for photography I guess.  You have to feel something.  And, as they say, "they can't hang you for your thoughts."

A connection or a bond, sure.  You're working with someone in a fairly intimate and personal envrionment.  Both parties have to get comortable with one another very quickly.  I don't necessarily believe that has to be sexualised.

Huw said

Are baked beans sexual?

Depends who is bathing in them.

;)

Who else but Ann Margaret?

I don't suppose it was a serious question. It certainly isn't a question that I take seriously.

art65 said

I don't suppose it was a serious question. It certainly isn't a question that I take seriously.

Indeed. It may be for some, but not for me.

In my experience I find that 'Rapport' is the Basic Ingredient. With that established it is possible to be creative on so many levels including what might be Sexual/Sensual without the need for Physical contact. Contact within the environment created by Rapport via the Camera can and should be for both parties. Our intent I believe is to capture a moment in time that represents the relationship between the Subject and The Audience via the Camera. The Audience may include the Photographer. 

I do find that sometimes when looking at an image on the back of the camera, moments after the shutter, there can be a frisson of emotion. Not sure if that answers your question. More process vs results.

I could turn the conversation around a little. My aim is to take emotional images where the viewer can see through the model's  eyes the affinity / friendliness or other emotions.   Stunning models can look sexual but that is not necessarily what comes   out in   the Image,  I could  also be controversial and say some images on PP take sexuallty  to extremes that others can find offensive. I  share my images with a wide group in clubs etc so keep  my own standards, only occasionally  do I drop my level to tasteful  implied nude.

I've been following this post and (with my tongue firmly in my cheek....)

Rankin has shot a lot of my colleagues and if that is his idea of sexual well it's a whole team set up,lots of assistants, very clinical, scheduled to the nth minute and he rocks up and presses the shutter.

(That is the feedback from friends, not my own experience)

So if that is sexual.....I need to sit and have a good long think.

😋

Abbey A said

I've been following this post and (with my tongue firmly in my cheek....)

Rankin has shot a lot of my colleagues and if that is his idea of sexual well it's a whole team set up,lots of assistants, very clinical, scheduled to the nth minute and he rocks up and presses the shutter.

(That is the feedback from friends, not my own experience)

So if that is sexual.....I need to sit and have a good long think.

😋

So for likes of Rankin and Bailey anything sexual must be clinically planned,  needs a lot of assistance, and the gentleman concerned is only involved for a moment ?

Actually now you mention it