Flashback: Playboy Spain
This 4 page spread with an interview (also including Cynthia Patterson and Suze Randall) came out April 2006 and is still one of my favorite tear sheets to date.
If you'd like to read the interview , you'll find the transcript below the images.
I've stepped away from shooting the obvious erotica since the release of the Taschen book - I felt boxed into a category that I didn't feel I belonged to exclusively.
Lara Sterling for Playboy Spain
Its a typical December day in a warehouse studio near the center of Los Angeles. In the mainly Latino neighborhood, Christmastime can be seen in the cheap decorations that hang off the taquerÃa awnings and the snow-sprayed windows of the immigration-law clinics. But its still hot out. Its a searing 90 degrees in the street. Its also scorching inside the warehouse. But not because of the buildings temperature; the air-conditioning blasts. The heat in here comes from what you see happening: namely, two naked, twentysomething-year-old Czech models buried inside one anothers crotch. The shoot is for one of infamous porn magnate Larry Flynts top magazines Leg World. Theres only one difference between this erotic photo-shoot and any other: There is a woman behind the camera and not a man.
Most people think that Im a lesbian, says Cynthia Patterson whose tough voice belies the femininity of her long, red hair. But Im not. Im a heterosexual female. And its because I like sex with men that I know what men like in terms of erotic photos. Its this that I try to bring out in every shoot. And what is it exactly that men like according to Patterson? Simple, states the photographer, hot and dirty sex.
Patterson, in fact, is one of the most prolific photographers in the adult-entertainment industry today, an industry that is dominated by men. So what has it taken to get as far as she has?
Sure, there are times when I have to think like a man, Patterson declares with an ironic snigger, but dont think that women like sex that is so different than men do. Once women get all their psychological oh, dear, Im a whore issues out of the way, I believe that both males and females go for a raw, animal sexuality. Patterson adds that she knows when a particular model is posing in a manner that will sell well in the magazine because I can feel in my gut that its hot.
According to Patterson, it is the fact that a woman is beautiful and feminine that is foremost what is attractive in a photo. And, yeah, that you then see her performing in all these incredibly kinky ways. I want the men who view my photos to see that my models are just as hard-core as they are.
No, Cynthia hedges, changing her mind, even more so.
Nudity Not Necessary
Still, even if Cynthia Patterson argues that there is nothing about being female that changes the way that she shoots, there must be something that differentiates the male photographers from the women. At least, this is what Beatrice Neumann, a German-born female erotic photographer, argues. The photographer, who got her start shooting stills of the prostitutes and strippers she knew in her hometown of Frankfurt, explains, When women take erotic photos, they typically dont shoot genitalia. Neumann goes on to confirm that what she personally seeks in a photo is a woman who can express her sexual confidence without being vulgar. Its more about attitude, eye contact, a suggestive look. You dont even need nudity for a photo to be exciting.
But, sure, maybe as a female Neumann only needs a suggestive look for a photo to be a turn-on. But does that sell to the typically male consumer who is her market?
Sure, it does, disputes the photographer. Otherwise there wouldnt be so many woman erotic photographers out there today.
In fact, Neumann shares that she receives emails on a daily basis from men who applaud her for her less-obvious techniques. There is so much porn out there, explains Neumann, and men are fed up with it. Theyre looking for something different, and I provide them with that.
Digital Diaries
Still, its no big secret that female photographers in the world of erotic photography is a relatively new trend. According to Neumann, it was the advent of the digital format that allowed for the emergence of many of the new female erotic photographers on the scene. I dont want to perpetuate any stereotypes, the erotic lenswoman opines, but women feel more threatened by the technicality of film. They are intimidated by lights. Whereas the digital format is all about instant gratification, which has made the art of photography very accessible.
It should come as no surprise then that just when digital cameras became affordable to the common consumerthe year 2000a whole slew of new female names emerged on the erotic-photography circuit. One of the most famous names to rise up that year was Natacha Merritt, who published her collection of sexual self-portraits in the book, Digital Diaries (Taschen).
Female Erotic Photographer Legend
Nevertheless, this is not to say that before Natacha Merritt, there were no female erotic photographers working. Both Cynthia Patterson and Beatrice Neumann, for example, have been shooting professionally since the 1990s. This is not to mention the other big names in the erotic-photography arena, among them Ellen Von Unwerth or Emma Delves-Broughton. And, in fact, one of the photographers who helped mold Larry Flynts Hustlers look when the magazine was first incepted back in the 70s was female. Her name is Suze Randall. Ironically, it was Hugh Hefner of Playboy who first discovered her.
I was 29, young and beautiful, and getting a lot of press as a photographer for this reason, Randall recounts. I started out as a model, and was shooting photos of my friends on the catwalks of Paris. Next thing I know Im being flown to Chicago by Hefner, because he saw some photos of mine that he liked. And remember, this was an era when not even many men were shooting erotic photography, let alone women.
So what was it like for Randall to break into the erotic-photography arena during that more innocent time? I had to bust a lot of balls, says the photographer. The male photographers resented me. They saw this sexy, young woman having all this success. Randall credits her drive and initiative for all that shes achieved up to the present.
Nude Photos = Objectification?
But then again, there remains the issue of objectificationin other words, the concept that to take nude photos of women is to objectify them. This antiquated view is typically perpetuated by feminists. So what do the females who are actually shooting the nude photos think of this idea?
Do I objectify women? Randall asks with a scoff. When a girl is young, in-shape and gorgeous, I think its wonderful to glorify her body. Because trust me, you wont have it forever. Randall should know: In a 1976 issue of Playboy, she also modeled for the magazine.
Barbara Ann Crumm, a model/photographer, who has worked with such erotic photographers as Cynthia Patterson, Richard Kern and Carlos Batts, concurs: In front of the camera, I actually feel stronger, more human, and more empowered as a woman.
The Model/Photographer Dynamic
And, finally, there remains one last question: Do the models feel more comfortable shooting with a photographer who is also female?
Absolutely, affirms Amy Rivera, who sees herself as both a fetish and pinup photographer. Not only have the models told me so, but Ive also heard this from other female photographers. Randall adds, Its probably because I actually get my work done during a shoot, instead of thinking about my hard-on the whole time and how Im going to try to get a date with the model.
Still, Chanta Rose, who has worked both as an erotic model as well as a photographer, has a different take on the matter: If a girl is so uncomfortable shooting in this industry, then she shouldnt be in the business. Rose shares that when she has worked as a model, her experiences with male photographers have actually been better. Female photographers are always picking apart my body, telling me how fat I am, or how my body doesnt work for a particular shoot. The male photographers, on the other, always like my body for what it is. They try to bring out the best in what they have to work with. Nonetheless, a quick glance at any photo by any one of the aforementioned female erotic photographers
what red-blooded male can argue that these talented women have not also brought out what's stunningly beautiful in the models displayed here?
If you'd like to read the interview , you'll find the transcript below the images.
I've stepped away from shooting the obvious erotica since the release of the Taschen book - I felt boxed into a category that I didn't feel I belonged to exclusively.
Lara Sterling for Playboy Spain
Its a typical December day in a warehouse studio near the center of Los Angeles. In the mainly Latino neighborhood, Christmastime can be seen in the cheap decorations that hang off the taquerÃa awnings and the snow-sprayed windows of the immigration-law clinics. But its still hot out. Its a searing 90 degrees in the street. Its also scorching inside the warehouse. But not because of the buildings temperature; the air-conditioning blasts. The heat in here comes from what you see happening: namely, two naked, twentysomething-year-old Czech models buried inside one anothers crotch. The shoot is for one of infamous porn magnate Larry Flynts top magazines Leg World. Theres only one difference between this erotic photo-shoot and any other: There is a woman behind the camera and not a man.
Most people think that Im a lesbian, says Cynthia Patterson whose tough voice belies the femininity of her long, red hair. But Im not. Im a heterosexual female. And its because I like sex with men that I know what men like in terms of erotic photos. Its this that I try to bring out in every shoot. And what is it exactly that men like according to Patterson? Simple, states the photographer, hot and dirty sex.
Patterson, in fact, is one of the most prolific photographers in the adult-entertainment industry today, an industry that is dominated by men. So what has it taken to get as far as she has?
Sure, there are times when I have to think like a man, Patterson declares with an ironic snigger, but dont think that women like sex that is so different than men do. Once women get all their psychological oh, dear, Im a whore issues out of the way, I believe that both males and females go for a raw, animal sexuality. Patterson adds that she knows when a particular model is posing in a manner that will sell well in the magazine because I can feel in my gut that its hot.
According to Patterson, it is the fact that a woman is beautiful and feminine that is foremost what is attractive in a photo. And, yeah, that you then see her performing in all these incredibly kinky ways. I want the men who view my photos to see that my models are just as hard-core as they are.
No, Cynthia hedges, changing her mind, even more so.
Nudity Not Necessary
Still, even if Cynthia Patterson argues that there is nothing about being female that changes the way that she shoots, there must be something that differentiates the male photographers from the women. At least, this is what Beatrice Neumann, a German-born female erotic photographer, argues. The photographer, who got her start shooting stills of the prostitutes and strippers she knew in her hometown of Frankfurt, explains, When women take erotic photos, they typically dont shoot genitalia. Neumann goes on to confirm that what she personally seeks in a photo is a woman who can express her sexual confidence without being vulgar. Its more about attitude, eye contact, a suggestive look. You dont even need nudity for a photo to be exciting.
But, sure, maybe as a female Neumann only needs a suggestive look for a photo to be a turn-on. But does that sell to the typically male consumer who is her market?
Sure, it does, disputes the photographer. Otherwise there wouldnt be so many woman erotic photographers out there today.
In fact, Neumann shares that she receives emails on a daily basis from men who applaud her for her less-obvious techniques. There is so much porn out there, explains Neumann, and men are fed up with it. Theyre looking for something different, and I provide them with that.
Digital Diaries
Still, its no big secret that female photographers in the world of erotic photography is a relatively new trend. According to Neumann, it was the advent of the digital format that allowed for the emergence of many of the new female erotic photographers on the scene. I dont want to perpetuate any stereotypes, the erotic lenswoman opines, but women feel more threatened by the technicality of film. They are intimidated by lights. Whereas the digital format is all about instant gratification, which has made the art of photography very accessible.
It should come as no surprise then that just when digital cameras became affordable to the common consumerthe year 2000a whole slew of new female names emerged on the erotic-photography circuit. One of the most famous names to rise up that year was Natacha Merritt, who published her collection of sexual self-portraits in the book, Digital Diaries (Taschen).
Female Erotic Photographer Legend
Nevertheless, this is not to say that before Natacha Merritt, there were no female erotic photographers working. Both Cynthia Patterson and Beatrice Neumann, for example, have been shooting professionally since the 1990s. This is not to mention the other big names in the erotic-photography arena, among them Ellen Von Unwerth or Emma Delves-Broughton. And, in fact, one of the photographers who helped mold Larry Flynts Hustlers look when the magazine was first incepted back in the 70s was female. Her name is Suze Randall. Ironically, it was Hugh Hefner of Playboy who first discovered her.
I was 29, young and beautiful, and getting a lot of press as a photographer for this reason, Randall recounts. I started out as a model, and was shooting photos of my friends on the catwalks of Paris. Next thing I know Im being flown to Chicago by Hefner, because he saw some photos of mine that he liked. And remember, this was an era when not even many men were shooting erotic photography, let alone women.
So what was it like for Randall to break into the erotic-photography arena during that more innocent time? I had to bust a lot of balls, says the photographer. The male photographers resented me. They saw this sexy, young woman having all this success. Randall credits her drive and initiative for all that shes achieved up to the present.
Nude Photos = Objectification?
But then again, there remains the issue of objectificationin other words, the concept that to take nude photos of women is to objectify them. This antiquated view is typically perpetuated by feminists. So what do the females who are actually shooting the nude photos think of this idea?
Do I objectify women? Randall asks with a scoff. When a girl is young, in-shape and gorgeous, I think its wonderful to glorify her body. Because trust me, you wont have it forever. Randall should know: In a 1976 issue of Playboy, she also modeled for the magazine.
Barbara Ann Crumm, a model/photographer, who has worked with such erotic photographers as Cynthia Patterson, Richard Kern and Carlos Batts, concurs: In front of the camera, I actually feel stronger, more human, and more empowered as a woman.
The Model/Photographer Dynamic
And, finally, there remains one last question: Do the models feel more comfortable shooting with a photographer who is also female?
Absolutely, affirms Amy Rivera, who sees herself as both a fetish and pinup photographer. Not only have the models told me so, but Ive also heard this from other female photographers. Randall adds, Its probably because I actually get my work done during a shoot, instead of thinking about my hard-on the whole time and how Im going to try to get a date with the model.
Still, Chanta Rose, who has worked both as an erotic model as well as a photographer, has a different take on the matter: If a girl is so uncomfortable shooting in this industry, then she shouldnt be in the business. Rose shares that when she has worked as a model, her experiences with male photographers have actually been better. Female photographers are always picking apart my body, telling me how fat I am, or how my body doesnt work for a particular shoot. The male photographers, on the other, always like my body for what it is. They try to bring out the best in what they have to work with. Nonetheless, a quick glance at any photo by any one of the aforementioned female erotic photographers
what red-blooded male can argue that these talented women have not also brought out what's stunningly beautiful in the models displayed here?
posted by Beatrice Neumann at 3:13 AM
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