/Photo: Feminine Erotic
Does gender matter?
Photography by April-Lea Hutchinson
Text by thedirtystory
May I take a moment to introduce April Lea Hutchinson? It's hard work for a photographer to write positively about another photographer, particularly if they shoot in and around the same 'genre' as themselves. The reason that I think it is hard work is because I tend to look for elements of their work that spark my interest and fit the criteria of a striking image, and if I am doing my photographic job properly, these elements should be in my work too. What I am saying in rather a long-winded manner is that I tend to look for work that my ego tells me is similar to my own work. Then, reality tells my ego that it is not similar, it is simply superior.
I have always envied female photographers who shoot sexualised images of women. I envy the fact that more often than not they don't have to prove to the model that they aren't criminal-level sex pests. I envy the fact they also tend to get fewer accusations of misogynistic intent, and more than anything I envy them when they themselves are also models and when they get bored or are alone they can turn the camera on themselves and produce work of an equal or greater quality without the hassle of dealing with yet another human being. I've turned the camera on myself and discovered that nobody wants to see images of a naked, rapidly ageing potato.
In my mind it's almost impossible to shoot sexualised and stylised images of women without somehow being influenced by Helmut Newton, the late great master
Newton's work feels far more like that of a man utilising his female subjects as objects. Von Unwerth's work feels far more like a woman encouraging other women to participate in a shared moment.
In my mind it's almost impossible to shoot sexualised and stylised images of women without somehow being influenced by Helmut Newton, the late great master
of (particularly black-and-white) erotic photography. Even if you choose to consciously avoid elements of his style, you have been influenced by him. He has influenced so many people that I believe that he's left his mark on the genre in an unavoidable way. I have always been fascinated with Ellen Von Unwerth's work in that it feels as though she's taken the mantle of the female-Helmet-Newton. For me, there are important differences though. Newton's work feels far more like that of a man utilising his female subjects as objects. Von Unwerth's work feels far more like a woman encouraging other women to participate in a shared moment. For this reason, Von Unwerth's work feels far more fun and cheeky than the more serious, dour, somewhat sleazy Newton's. I am not for one minute suggesting either is better. I love a bit of fun and I love a bit of sleaze.
So what has all this got to do with April and her photography? I have always assumed that the aforementioned characteristics of Newton and Von Unwerth were a direct result of their gender. Perhaps this sociological experiment of mine was not completed over a sufficiently large sample size, two photographers is hardly rigorous research. April's photography, for me, places her right between Von Unwerth and Newton and by this I mean that I feel that she manages to somehow mix using the female form as a compositional object with a real sense of participative fun in her shots. Her work feels conscious of itself without taking itself too seriously, it feels like it was produced by someone close to their subjects. Most of all it feels like the work of someone who has nailed what it is she is producing and now she's playing with her genre themes and turning the volume up and down when she feels the need.
So what has all this got to do with April and her photography? I have always assumed that the aforementioned characteristics of Newton and Von Unwerth were a direct result of their gender. Perhaps this sociological experiment of mine was not completed over a sufficiently large sample size, two photographers is hardly rigorous research. April's photography, for me, places her right between Von Unwerth and Newton and by this I mean that I feel that she manages to somehow mix using the female form as a compositional object with a real sense of participative fun in her shots. Her work feels conscious of itself without taking itself too seriously, it feels like it was produced by someone close to their subjects. Most of all it feels like the work of someone who has nailed what it is she is producing and now she's playing with her genre themes and turning the volume up and down when she feels the need.
- 02/05/2011
