This is the second image from my shoot with Bert and his husband, Gunther. We shot these images in the spare room in my apartment here in Brussels using diffused window light and only simple props. I use a posing technique which I refer to as "the body in anatgonisitc tension". This is a method which helps me to define how the model poses and is fashioned from the understanding that the body is ambulatory by virute of muscle groups working in antagonistic pairs and that it is the skeletal structure which is being manipulated.
My approach does mean that the model must take direction well and to forget about the 'stock poses' which can actually be a little tricky for experienced models. In fact actors are my favourite models, they live by 'direction' and find it a natural process. Bert and Gunther were neither models nor actors just a couple of guys who wanted to model ... they were great.
It was particularly interesting to see them frown at some suggestions from me until I showed them the results then they 'got it'. It is often the novice model who ends up with great images if they can just get into the routines of the shoot and 'go with the flow'.
We were all pretty pleased with the outcomes of this shoot, though I have re-worked these images since the first processing of them just after the shoot and I much prefer the treatments that I have now.
The idea for this pose is to quite simply apply some stretch to Bert's torso , it is very much an image which tends towards the objectification of Bert ... a much vaunted issue with nude imagery (especially of women), but such concerns don't really impact upon me - this is an image that I like a lot and the strong gaze from Bert helps to ensure that he maintains control in this image.
Let me know what you think.