Welcome Mopas

Mopas at Photo Forum, deviantART.

"Carol 2 14"

Mopas seemed surprised by my strong desire to interview him... Like me when someone tells me how much he/she loves one of my text. This modesty honours him. Because Mopas, from Warsaw, Poland, is a really creative photographer and a very nice guy who promotes in his journal all his friends and lovely models, in kind and happy words.

I've been in a big trouble when choosing the pictures to illustrate his first feature, there are so many wonderful shots in his portfolio.

In BW or colors, you'll be as amazed than me by their quality : his strong compositions, the elegant poses, his perfect master of studio and natural lights, his so expressive models, make his work tremendous and deeply emotional. Everything to keep me impatient to write his interview in order to show you more.

"Agnieszka 3180"
Art Model Agnieszka










"Agnieszka 0500"
Art Model Agnieszka

"Zula 2429"














A point of view I'm sharing, when it's no more art but unsane pictures made by sick and false "photographers" :

" I'm on vacations. Somewhere in the forests of central Poland. Just on the bank of a beautiful, wild and clear river, called Wkra.

The weather is perfect, the birds are singing and the butterflies are flying around me. I can't be closer to Paradise. I have a lot of nature pictures done, mostly insects and so on (as you can see in my gallery).

I was thinking a lot about the photography and the way the photographer sees and shows the world. Photography is an art - an art of shapes and colors but also emotions, moods and feelings.

It can be - and it is often - a perfect tool of documentation too. And it can easily manipulate our minds into areas that we wouldn't like to visit.

"Aga 937"
Art Model Aga

I'm shocked by the amount of fetish, macabre, horror and such pictures in the photo forums all over the world (and I don't mention porn).

Even if I did a session that could be called fetish or bondage, I don't like it. I think we did a good job (from a technical point of view) but I don't like the mood of this pictures. It's a promotion of pain and tortures, and the evil (if exists) is certainly happy when seeing it. When you are two weeks in the pure nature where everything goes so easily and peacefully, you'ld notice it too.

OK, so holidays are nearly over. Three more days and I'm back to the mill. Warsaw, traffics, office, customers, the fight for the existence. Real life again.

"Caroline 2 8"

"... Caroline again. I think these two women, both Carolines - the one that I called Carol and this one - changed my way of thinking about artistic nude photography. Both are extremly beautiful in body and in mind, both are wonderful, experimented models, very feminine and brave at the same time. I hope you'll like these pictures as much as I do."









"Aga 1 6"
Art Model Aga

"High heels"

Mopas ©

Their eyes !, by Jeffrey McAlister

 Jeffrey McAlister

Member since 2008

Photographer multi-awarded

I find this text of Jeffrey McAlister very well written and interesting. So I can't resist to the pleasure to publish it. Thanks for your agreement dear Jeffrey.

"Her eyes"

"The Erogenous Zone between the ears and where you can see it."

By Jeffrey McAlister

"Valentine"





" Recently I've been seeing possibilities for making the art that I make open up. I had the great pleasure of attending a meet and greet event close to home here where many photographers and models convened to eat, drink and converse and make images. It really was a revelation. I'm not sure quite why (perhaps because it's just so nice when the unknown not only becomes known but the knowing turns out to be so pleasant) but the people I had a chance to talk with and shoot with really inspired me.

" Unlike a typical shoot I would book for myself, I was blown on the wind, shooting who appeared for me. I had contacted one lovely model I'd been in contact with before, and we got to spend time making calm simple head shots. Another model I shot with is an erotic nude/fetish fashion model I'd been aware of for some time. I certainly had no idea that opportunity would arise. Frankly I shoot very little what I would call glamour, so shooting with her was a joy.

The last woman I took pictures of that day is a local art model I'd also had on my radar for sometime but had never been able to reach consensus with over what kind of work we would both like to do together. I had a really affirming moment when she recognized my name. Her face lit up and she launched into the certainty that she had hoped I would be there and we were gonna shoot right ?!

I had this wonderful moment of just feeling like what I do reaches people somehow, and in a world that would usually step over you if you were dying on the sidewalk, this angel wanted my eye and my artful focus on her. I can hardly describe what an emotional boost that was for about a hundred parts and pieces of my heart.

"V"

As I tend to do, I find myself trying to define honestly what was so fun and moving in all this. Part of it is having a chance to be in community where what I make is accepted and valued... not a secret world. It didn't hurt to be in a whirlwind of really fun kind people, many tattood and pierced, fetishy, or flouncy, and photographers like me, hunting for that instant in light that captivates. The naked women getting body paint and loving being eye magnets for the whole gathering certainly didn't bother the mood of the event either !

What I realize this morning as I write this... as I try to put a period on it, can be defined in this way.

I shot three beautiful women who couldn't be more different. One was lithe and tall and elegantly shy. She was beautifully clothed and quietly curious about what making nudes with me might be like down the road. The second was audaciously sexual, happy I suspect, to go down most any path, voluptuous and oozing erotic intent. The third, a woman of eastern European lineage, thin, angular, bones and a proud jaw line... This was a person who radiates intelligence from every pore. Her body is a canvas of really unusual ink. Her tattoos were surprisingly (for me at least) at home, not jarring or detracting but really completing her pretty frame.

What I see now is the thing that so gotten to me. The thing that pulls me in, makes me worship and marvel... the magnet... it was their eyes. Each of them, so different, and so astonishly poignant and powerful. Lust. Eroticism can certainly be expressed in how I feel about a pretty breast or a swollen vagina, but what I know today is the real heart of what I seek... is there to be revealed in her eyes. Every time.

"Wallflower 4"

John Running joins us

John Running at Album of Erotica, his books at Amazon, deviantART.

"Kaylee Tirtan set"

Prolific photographer, John Running makes a creative, original and powerful work where he lovely combines strength and sensuality. I like his great compositions, his marvelous frames, the warmth of his colors, and above all his neverendless imagination.

Inspired by the great landscapes of Arizona and his gorgeous models that he loves to shoot with a deep respect, John Running has developped a style I never found anywhere.

John Running has lived in Flagstaff, Arizona for the past 42 years. He has been making photographs for advertising, design and editorial clients for nearly 40 years.

He specializes in photographing people on location or in the studio. His photographs stand out because they have a style that is personally creative and graphically strong. Give him 1/125th of a second and he will give you so much more.

"Guadalupe Springs Mexico 7"

John Running has been photographing the female nude for all of his 40 years as a professional photographer.

The women he photographs are both sensual and strong. His photographs are collaboration with his models where there is room for each to express their creativity.

His work reminds us that eroticism is yet another culturally laden value that depends on choices made by its consumers to be effective.

Originally from Buffalo, New York, John Running studied Earth Sciences at the New Mexico School of Mines and then spent four years in the United States Marine Corps, where he served in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and West Indies. Afterward he studied for and received a degree in Anthropology at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. Now he shares his downtown Flagstaff studio with his daughter Raechel Marie.

"Natalia Rope 6"
Art Model Natalia Faina










"Joss 3"
Art Model Joceline

Photo assignments have taken him to Italy, France, Spain, The Netherlands, Scotland, The Galapagos Islands, Jordan, The West Bank, The Gaza Strip, and South America.
" His clients include Eastman Kodak, Polaroid, Nikon, Ilford, Coors Beer, Lee Jeans, U S West, Sterling Commerce and Canyon Records.

He has also published seven books including Honor Dance, Pictures for Solomon, Dancer, Halo of the Sun and Navajo Weaving Way.

Artist statement for the photo Exhibit "Genetic Imprints" held at Flagstaff Photography Center Gallery (august 2007) :

"Genetic Imprints 14"

The image comes first.

In the beginning, before there was language, there was a non-verbal way of comprehending the world. There was the image. Now, except in our dreams, we tend to translate images into words.

Recently I made a series of photographs in my studio of women with animal skulls. Now that I have made these images, as I am trying to find words, it comes to mind that these photos are more about something from our distant past – from all the way back to the time of the ice.

I recently read the idea that, back at the time of our emergence, the female - the woman - was more than a fertility deity. More than a mother, she was also the first practitioner of medicine and magic and that, in fact, she was the Creator. Back in our stone age emergence, God was female and this still imprints our genetic codes.

"Genetic Imprints 13"

"Genetic Imprints 6"

For me, the image comes first. I see it in front of me – a woman holding an animal skull. I believe I suggest to the model that this is about life, not death. She works with some direction at first but soon it seems to me that as she carries and caresses her animal totem she becomes a soul carrier and spirit guide.

I react to this by submitting myself to the model and her intuitions. We become collaborators as we respond to genetic imprints.

The book "Genetic Imprints" is available here.

Genetic Imprints is a mook of a Photographic exhibition held at the Flagstaff Photography Center Gallery. It is a series of 21 photograph of nude models and wild animal skulls.

Michael Helms joins us

Michael Helms at his official site, and this one, Model Mayhem, deviantART.

"Kitty 1"

I know the work of Michael Helms since my first steps in the fine art world. With over a million hits on his DA gallery in less than a year, he's one of these essential american photographers you can't miss.

"Mina in my studio"

With a strong liking for coloured and lively pictures, the work of Michael Helms, close friend of Perry Gallagher ("co-conspirator in the making of many images, a profound influence on my work and the true definition of what a friend should be"), is based on an amazing creativity, contrary to what he claims and that you'll read in this article.

Shooting the most expressive models in the world, and celebrities, Michael knows everything about light ("90% of my work is natural light, soft, diffused, directional (mostly North) light"), balance, tones, poses, form, movement, texture, concept, execution, technical dealios, and so on. But, you know me, I prefer to talk about his tremendous talent, the joy I feel contemplating his shots, all these deep and strong feelings that turn me upside down.

Yes, indeed and definitively, Michael Helms is a great and kind photographer I'm honoured to welcome.

"Courtney's corset"
Art Model Courtney Cruz

"Caroline's breasts"




Michael Helms by Fetish Photo Box :

" Few photographers have had such a wonderfully diverse career and shooting history.
Michael is one of "those photographers" that has the sixth sense for seeing and feeling light.

Magical, talented, gifted in several forms of art ; it is an honor to have Michael as a presenter and teacher at Fetish Photo Box™. Michael, a true master, will be showing us how he makes some of his craft come to life."

"K 5002"

" So, what's my point ?
An easy, simple, and yet profound one...
I'm grateful. I'm happy, healthy, and ever so lucky to just be alive.
I love life.
I feel so full and yet I am still hungry. So I may go out doing something a little "out there" or I may die of old age. Who knows."

"Divinora by the back door"
Art Model Divinora

I got my start shooting fashion about 25 years ago here in Los Angeles. I moved into shooting headshots for actors, models, and some celebrity stuff because it wasn't a field so rife with politics. For those to whom it makes a difference (it doesn't to me) - yes - I HAVE shot some famous people. Tim Curry, Katie Hudson, and Angelina Jolie to mention a few. These days I try to avoid celebrity shooting because I am not comfortable with politics. My DA gallery represents my art - not my profession.

I'm really good at what I do. Probably better than 95% of the photographers out there. But I'm NOT "brilliant" or "amazing". I don't think my work shows much originality. I'm good with taking an existing idea and making more of it but when I see the ORIGINAL and, yes, BRILLIANT work of Perry Gallagher and others on DA, I am encouraged to keep striving for more.

"Jon 1415"

"Maxine 7368"










"Composite of images"

After all - it is those who's work I admire that bring me inspiration. Part of adulthood is knowing how good you ARE and how good you ARE NOT and being comfortable with the joy of life's challenge.

Art is about a journey... a wonderful, progressive, and constantly striving journey.

So - no - I am not "arrogant" but I AM confident. No - I am not "elitist" but I do know what I like and don't like.

"Scar and Kumi 1"

Michael Helms ©

François Benveniste, BW shoots

2008
François Benveniste

"Female Queen"

"Ebony at the white door"

"Le Fantome"

"Instable"

Vahid Naziri joins us

Vahid Naziri at Model Mayhem, photo.net, deviantART.

"The Orchids"
Art Model Mallory

All began with this kind comment of Vahid Naziri :

" I really like your mag. The quality of works in there is really amazing."

And soon I told him the same thing about his beautiful portfolio. What I saw touched me. Working mainly in bw, each of his pictures prooves his mastery of the composition.Using angles and perspectives with success, as great backgrounds, playing with the lights and darks, Vahid Naziri knows everything about the ways to capture the deepest emotions of the expressive (and renowned !) models he uses to work with.

"The Steps"
Art Model Anna










"Spiraling down"
Art Model Anna

"Candace 12"
Art Model Candace Nirvana

















Born in 1960, grew up with broken cameras as toys. My first working camera was some sort of a toy camera from Kodak.

Later on when I started mountain climbing and rock climbing I was always tasked to bring a camera to take pictures. Since family and friends liked my photos, I was asked on different occasions to shoot weddings and family portraitures.

The dream of becoming a pro photographer did not go very far. I entered the world of engineering instead.

These days I live in Woodland Hills, CA and I am still in love with photography.

"Paige 6"
Art Model Paige

"Time Out"

I see you have finally arrived. Now, for a brief moment, the paths of our lives have intersected. And what do I have to show you ? Mere glimpses. Moments not unlike this that I have frozen, a little piece of life that can be held, held still, but, still breathing. Perhaps the focus of my purpose can best be summed within this quotation from the writer Paul Bowles :

"... We get to think of life as an inexhaustible well. Yet everything happens only a certain number of times, and a very small number, really.

How many more times will you remember a certain afternoon of your childhood, some afternoon that's so deeply a part of your being that you can't even conceive of your life without it ? Perhaps four or five times more. Perhaps not even that.

How many more times will you watch the full moon rise ? Perhaps twenty. And yet it all seems limitless."

"Natalia 5"
Art Model Natalia Faina






Vahid Naziri ©