Lesbian/Bi-F Photo-Erotica

[CTYankee]

I've been surfing a lot of lesbian photo-erotica in preparation for an upcoming photo assignment, and I'd like to share some observations and get some ideas/thoughts in return.

Perhaps the biggest irony of all is that much of the lesbian photo-erotica I've encountered gives me the impression that its target audience is MEN. Much seems focused more on "who does what to whom" than on the *feelings* of softness, closeness, intimacy, gentleness, etc. It's these intangibles that I want to attempt to photograph.

This overwhelming majority of low-class lesbian photo-erotica strikes me as antiseptic and mechanical somehow. More like gymnastics than "love". I don't want to contribute to that in any way. There's way more than we need already.

In my intimate/erotic portraiture work to date (good long while in the photo business), I see some patterns:

• Typically only one model, rather than two
• Typically carefully staged in a studio (which is not really all that romantic, even though it tries to APPEAR so)
• Typically cropped very close -- rarely including whole bodies or even faces -- so as to be *suggestive* of the whole without actually revealing it

The upcoming assignment will be different in almost every way:

• On location, rather than in a studio
• Faces, I suspect, will be critically important to what I and the client are after
• Obviously multiple subjects -- who will be involved participants rather than "models" per se

The more I write here in this post, the less clear I am in my own head on what I'm asking for. (dammit)

I guess I'm looking for input from lesbian/bi-F "consumers" of such imagery about "what's hot & what's not" in this particular genre. Basically I'm not all that impressed with what I've found so far. Maybe someone more attuned to these sorts of images could offer the name of an especially exemplary photographer, or a link to a gallery of above-average work?

Pointing to samples of what works & what doesn't *might* be easier than actually articulating what makes a fine image "fine", I understand. But please don't let that stop you from at least *trying* to speak your mind?

My thanks to all who contribute.

 

[subbielez]

http://www.mysecretobsession.com/

^Check out that site. It seems to have some pics and stories and such that look good to me as far as 'making love' instead of just 'fucking'. Granted, there's also some pics of the latter, but it seems to me that pure sex isn't the primary motive so much as the existence of sensuality - which, as any intelligent woman knows, is totally different from sexuality.

I can't seem to copy and paste the URLs of the pics, but if I can find a site that hosts pics regardless of nudity I'll upload some of my faves and PM them to you, because I can apparently save them.

Hope that helps.

 

[CTYankee]

I can't seem to copy and paste the URLs of the pics, but if I can find a site that hosts pics regardless of nudity I'll upload some of my faves and PM them to you, because I can apparently save them.

Hope that helps.

That would help a lot. Thanks.

I'll check out the link.

 

[subbielez]

I'm trying to find some lesbian romance sites online for e-books and such, too, that might give you some ideas. Unfortunately, I haven't been very successful yet. Sorry.

 

[Lappdog]

Lesbian/bi erotica is just about my favorite visual and literate type of material. Over the years many good sites have come and gone and far too often the ones that survive are those that are designed "by men, for men". They are usually more pornographic than erotic. I might suggest that you check out a site called "twilightwomen.com" It is a pay site and contains videos only, but they are highly erotic and focus more on pusuit and capture than the sex act itself.

Good luck in your quest!

 

[CTYankee]

I might suggest that you check out a site called "twilightwomen.com" It is a pay site and contains videos only, but they are highly erotic and focus more on pursuit and capture than the sex act itself.

Thanks for the recommendation, and for the well-wishes re: this project.

While I haven't yet joined over at twilightwomen.com, I have explored the various public areas of the site. I definitely like their self-proclaimed emphasis on "complete character development" in their projects. But this part troubled me:

" . . . our projects focus on two ideas . . . one is character development . . . the second is the depiction of sexual activity of whatever nature as worrisome behavior that is conflicted, full of guilt and shame."

Some of my other work contains BDSM & fetish themes. In this upcoming project, however, Dom/Sub dynamics, conflict, guilt and shame will play no part whatsoever.

Emphasis in this project will be feelings & depictions of softness, closeness, intimacy, gentleness, tenderness, curiosity, excitement, first-time exploration, . . .

 

[Brains_N_Boobs]

Leave more to the imagination than what your lense is capable of capturing.

Much like a written story or poem, everyone reads the same basic words, however everyone also interprets and visualizes these words in a vastly different manner. Allow your audience the ability to intersperse their own thoughts/feelings/experiences into your medium.

 

[Yang4yin]

Have you ever seen any of "Nella's work?" She's one of the hottest lesbian models/performers around now. There are quite a few stills of her in this thread:

http://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=204154&page=18

(She's the pretty, slender brunette.)

 

[CTYankee]

Leave more to the imagination than what your lense is capable of capturing.

I concur. I'm sure this will be a big part of how this plays out.

It's also consistent with my style to date. It's what I meant when I said that I tend to photographed tightly-cropped portions of persons/scenes and "being suggestive of the whole without necessarily revealing the whole".

Thanks.

 

[CTYankee]

Have you ever seen any of "Nella's work?" She's one of the hottest lesbian models/performers around now. There are quite a few stills of her in this thread:

http://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=204154&page=18

(She's the pretty, slender brunette.)

Thanks for the tip. There's a lot of material over there in that other thread. It's going to take me some time to look through it.

I'm going to reserve my own comments on what I've seen of it so far until I/we (hopefully) hear from some lesbian/bisexual women about how they react to the material you cited.

Deferred comments:

Most of what I see over there strikes me initially as the typical "by men/for men" stuff that I want to differentiate myself from.

Lighting seems flat & uniform, and almost identical from shot to shot. That strikes me as "mass produced" (read: "cheap" in terms of model & photographer time).

Any image where the model is playing to (read: looking at) the camera instead of her partner I find to be a turn-off.

Emphasis in most of these shots seems to be either: a) the acts/actions or b) the body parts of the models, and NOT the mood/feeling of the interaction.

Don't get me wrong -- the models are lovely. No question. But it just feels "antiseptic" & "mechanical" to me.

There are several different series of photos over there, from several different photographers & sessions. Don't take my comments too globally, as there are certainly exceptions.

 

[blueyz22]

I recently caught a few episodes of The L Word on Showtime. It just started its 5th season and I honestly don't know why I never watched it. The sex scenes are great. I was really turned on. But the scenes where sex is NOT the main focus were equally hot as well. There's a tenderness that's subtle. I tingled watching every scene.

 

[CTYankee]

Thanks for the tip, Blueyz.

Any thoughts from a woman's point of view on these images? (the ones discussed briefly above)

*setting a reminder timer for tonight's episode*