I don’t understand what is so attractive about the ‘darkness’ in these nudes. I think it kinda brings out the evil in the viewers and the model. What about evil is sexy or healthy? I guess I would just like a little insight into what pushes you in the direction you take your photo shoots. Why photograph a set scene that looks like a crime just happened? It’s kinda gross to me :/ Especially since you have other photography that show cases your true talent (its obvious you have talent)

This question fascinates me because it confuses me. My first instict was to think this was sent to the wrong person, but maybe Im being naivete.

So Ill answer anyway.

To the idea that my shoots look like crime scenes, I simply don’t see that. I’m not sure what makes you feel that way; but its super interesting. Is it the feeling the Polaroids give you? Is it the couple shoots I did with masks? This will seemingly contradict what I will say below, but, to me there is something interesting about standing for a photo masked. There’s some interesting level of contradiction there. Something Ive always been interested in. Because I personally don’t see the “crime scene” part at all, there’s really not more I can say to that; however, if you’d like to elaborate I’m happy to discuss.

As to nudity being “darkness” or “evil,” well my gray faced friend there we simply disagree; in fact, 100%. I see the nudity of a person as a lightness. There is something pure and simple about being nude and exposed. Its profoundly simple, but true, people just look more exposed when they are not hiding behind clothing; unguarded, honst. There’s something there that I just like to shoot. Personally I don’t see anything I shoot as “darkness.” Of course I sometimes play with darker themes in my work, and quite frankly most of the time that’s just some experimenting. I do enjoy darker art. Ive always loved David Lynch’s work, Pedro Almodovar, and Louis Bunuel who are all filmmakers that explore the darker side if sexuality, and at times that does come through in what I shoot, but even then I wouldn’t say it “brings out the evil in the viewer.” To me that seems to speak more largely to your personal feels about nude women. Which, despite everything you said, is the most fascinating part of your question. I never like to be the guy that turns the question on the viewer, cause it feels like a cop out, but you do make a profound statement that I think is very subjective and interesting.

Thus, in the end. I like the kind of existential question you raise, though I think we both come to this existential crossing from different roads and therefore see it through different eyes. I respect the time and thought put into your question, but ultimately all I can say is that beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder, and so is the inverse. We can’t see anything without the bias of our existence and at this cross roads we simple will have to agree to disagree. All the same, thank your for your question. I enjoyed it. And thank you for your compliment. Nudity, ironically, is not for everyone, but its what inspires me to shoot.

Thanks,

Derek