At some point in the last year or so, Exposing 40 introduced me to the erotic photography of Robert Mapplethorpe – and I can’t thank her enough for doing so. His male nudes are authentic, erotic, occasionally crude, often explicit, and (almost) always just really fucking hot. They depict the male body as I wish more people would see it; as something beautiful in its own right, whether in repose or during a more overtly sexual moment.
Anyway, I’ve lusted after a handful of Mapplethorpe’s portraits for a while now – both in a traditional sense and as something to emulate, if possible. I recently tried to recreate the rather impressive photo posted to the right (or above, if you’re reading this on a mobile!) as a phone camera selfie, with spectacularly unsuccessful results, so when Exposing 40 suggested shooting for a different one this afternoon, I didn’t need any persuading.
You’ll find the original image (titled ‘Light Gallery Invitation’) underneath our attempt – decide for yourself whether we did a decent job!
7 replies on “February 19th: Mapplethorpe”
Oh I do love you two collaborating in this way and I adore Mapplethorpe too. Win. Win. Win.
I believe it is a total success, thank you for introducing me to Mapplethorpe x
I think Mapplethorpe is amazing too, great tribute!
I think Robert would be proud of his new student.
*wild round of applause
I think your version is better. There is a slightly sharper clarity to it that I like and also there is something very pleasing about the way the camera sits above your cock but just below your belly button that really works.
Mollyx
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