Kinbaku Photography Lab - with Alexander Ma

This lab is an invitation to photographers, but also ambitious models and riggers, to experiment with the specific challenges creating a fresh, interesting and emotionally touching visual representation of a person tied and/or the process of tying. Photography was the midwife in the development of rope bondage as a practice about 100 years ago, with the work of Charles-François Jeandel and Seiu Ito. Today we celebrate Sugiura Norio for his visually glamorous approach to Kinbaku Porn he co-developed over the past 50 years with Nureki Chimou, Saotome Hiromi, Yuri Sunohara, Naka Akira, and others. Today, especially outside of Japan, photography and Kinbaku seem to be tightly knit together, with a flood of pictures “showing off” rope bondage on Instagram and other social media. What makes a photograph representing Kinbaku as its own craft or art, not only having rope bondage as one of the visual elements? And what makes rope bondage photography interesting today - and for the future, considering the amount of pictures that gets published day by day?

Content

After a short introduction elaborating on the topics above, we will open the space to experiment under the guidance of the coaches. The human body bound with ropes has certainly a great potential for visual exploration. Adding clothing to the duality of body and rope creates depth and complexity. Are we looking for an abstract aesthetics in the pictures, for a documentary of the process, or for an emotional story that wants to be told? Space, setting, light, preps, and the execution of the bondage must suit the purpose! Photographing a rope bondage scene also has its specific limitations or considerations. Time to build a complex patterns and the safety of the person in ropes enduring the challenge whilst the shooting is going on need to be considered. We will have space and light and are there to support you from finding an idea to executing it.

For whom it is:
This workshop is for interested photographers - no matter if you are a professional or a curious amateur. An experience with Japanese-inspired bondage is not necessary, just the openness to explore this topic, including its roots in BDSM and Adult Entertainment Industry. Depending on the interest / agreements of the participants teams with different people filling the roles needed (Photographer, Model, Rigger - at least) will be formed and coached through the shooting. We will fill in roles, when needed. ;)

What to bring:
Photographers need to bring their own camera, Riggers their own ropes and models clothes to their liking and maybe props they would enjoy having in the scene.