I wrote about Leonard Nimoy's photography in my last post. A few people posted comments, more sent e-mails. Most of the e-mails wanted to know which nude photographers I prefer. Nude and erotic photography is not high my list of art preferences. There are a few artists which I follow. Most are dead.
Robert Mapplethorpe - A truly amazing photographer. I love his male and female nude studies. His still life's are among the best ever taken. I'm not a big fan of his homoerotic images, but I've seen them all and like some.
Nobuyoshi Araki - Talk about "get your freak on". Araki takes some of the most breathtaking erotica, as well as amazing pictures of the minutia of everyday life. I've wanted to buy his books for years. I will someday, just as soon as junior departs for university.
Imogen Cunningham - I would like to say she was my first, but the next photographer holds that honor. Most people know Cunningham because of her still life's. I love her nude studies. Her pictures of Alta on the Beach from the 1920s were some of the first pictures from the genre I had ever seen. 
Anne Brigman - The first non-pornographic nude photo I remember seeing was The Source. A simple photo of a woman pouring water into a stream. My art instructor compared it to a famous painting (lost to me now). I am sure he would be fired if he did the same thing today.
Man Ray - a surrealist artist who used photography and nudes to explore new spaces. I go out of my way to view his photographs. Coat-Stand is a good example of his work. Man Ray inspires me. I've studied his work for years.
Lee Miller - Miller is another great surrealist artist from a few decades ago. Miller had style. She also had a feel for the female form I find completely mesmerizing. Her work is not as well known as some of the others on this list. However, she is worth a look.
Well, this is the list. There are others, but these are the major players in my nude photography world. With the exception of Araki, all are long dead.
Anther e-mailer asked me what type of nude I would shoot if given the opportunity. To be honest, I've never really thought about it. I prefer other subjects. If I were to shoot nudes, it would involve tattoos. There is something about the violation of skin with ink that I find fascinating.
Pass along any photographers who you might think are interesting.
2 comments:
Ahh, the erudite atheist. One photographer that I find compelling yet unnerving is Joel Peter Witkin. The art direction for 9 inch Nails and Marilyn Manson videos is taken verbatum from Witkin's Images.
I'm glad to hear that you are secure enough in your sexuality to be able to mention Mapplethorpe's homoerotic imagery without going off on a macho rant.
Funny thing though, have you noticed hom much Catholic iconography is chock full of homoerotic imagery?
I have little experience with catabolism, so I'll have to admit that I have not noticed a connection. I'll have to check it out.
I've never had a problem with my sexuality. I am what I am and I assume other people have different tastes. Looking at some of Mapplethorpe's homoerotic imagery, like Fisting, make me a little uncomfortable, mainly because it does not feel erotic to me. The photo is still amazing.
I've spent some time looking at Joel Peter Witkin. I am interested in his work. I plan to find an exibit for a closer look. Thanks.
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