Kinbaku can be seen from a wide number of perspectives: connection, performance, eroticism, sexuality, and many more. One of its core forms of expression, both in Japan and the West is as a form of visual art.
Just like many of the ties we learn have histories and contexts that give them meaning, so too does erotic photography of kinbaku.
This class will explore what makes a great rope picture (as opposed to simply a great image) by exploring how ties, positioning and poses, expression, and lighting all come together to create an effect that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Central to that formula is understanding the relationship between the model and photographer. Drawing on experiences with top Japanese masters, we will share some of the secrets that artists such as Sugiura Norio and Yukimura Haruki use to tell stories with the images they create.
We will begin with an overview of the history of kinbaku photography as it relates to earlier forms of Japanese art and continue with a discussion of fundamentals of photography, exploring classic lighting set ups for traditional kinbaku ties and poses. Following that we will demonstrate two classic poses, providing different lighting to reveal different effects (those with cameras will be able to shoot these poses as well) and illustrate the concepts outlined earlier.
The remaining time will be spent with LA Rope Dojo instructors tying for couples who want to try their hand at creating their own photos.
This will be our last gathering for the year. We are very happy to announce we will be continuing the series into 2015 with Threshold and look forward to a new series of classes starting in February.
