MICHAEL BARNES Art Nude Photographer

Appreciating the nature of the human being is a core issue of many religions, most art and much of science. In each of these three areas there is a tendency to elevate that knowledge above the other two areas. This itself being a part of human nature. Contemporary art has reflected much of this thought and feeling about human nature, and in that sense has extended art’s messages from prior millenia.

The advent of photography brought an artistic medium that is rich in variety and stylistic expressions. The nude has made a major impact in the portfolios of many photographic artists. Nudity in art is represented so strongly because as a very visual species humans know that the variances of the human body are intriguing and often very beautiful. This visual knowledge is so strong that it has encountered many different taboos in different times and cultures, but it will never lose its primacy, as long as mankind has any memory of a physical, visual world.

There are many artists photographing the nude, and the volume of content that the electronic media carries offers proof of the power of this visual interest in the human form. One photographer and artist who works with the nude, Michael Barnes, is also a leader in selecting other artists’ works for view by the truly international audience of the world wide web. Michael Barnes maintains his own online portfolio with some representative works of the nude that are esthetically superior as well as technically solid. Michael Barnes also writes the Art Nudes Blog, a distinguished and very popular online exhibit of excellent images from many different photographers of the nude. In this sense Michael Barnes contributes twice to the knowledge and appreciation of the nude in photography as an art form.

When I asked Michael for an interview I wanted to ask about his knowledge but also his understanding of the nude from the perspective of an exhibitor of the works of many artist photographers.

How long has your “Art Nudes” blog been online? “My first posts date back to February 2003. At the time, I couldn’t find any blogs dedicated to what I considered true fine art figure photography, so I started my own. It seemed to have filled a need though, because the site immediately started attracting critical praise from people who wrote in to say, ‘At last! This is what I’ve been looking for!’. I’m truly happy to report that there are now several really wonderful blogs that focus on similar subject matter, and seem to have the same emphasis on the quality of the photography rather than on the sexuality of the model. I’m not suggesting that I influenced the creators of those sites, but I seem to have managed to catch the leading edge of the wave of a cultural trend.”

Have you seen any newer trends in photography of the nude in the last 20 years? “There hasn’t been any single trend specific to photographing the nude that has influenced the genre across the board; it’s simply too big a category with a very diverse group of artists. However, there has certainly been massive changes in photography as a whole due to the emergence of the digital revolution. In the world of fine art nudes, this has meant more colour photography in a genre where black & white once equaled art. It also means more manipulation of images. For better of worse, this means that the standards of perfection that were once the stock and trade of magazine covers are now becoming prevalent in fine art photography. It is now extremely easy to make that freckle disappear, or to erase that tattoo that was ruining the symmetry of your composition. I am not passing judgment, only making an observation. I have certainly used those tools in my own work. Photographers have been altering their work for ages, it’s just easier now, and the alterations are more extensive.”

Many people are concerned with drawing some kind of line between “art” and “pornography,” especially when it comes to nudes or erotic poses. Do you have any sort of guidelines as what does or does not delineate these two concepts? “That is the eternal question around nude photography. My guidelines are both instinctual and technical. Basically, my criteria is to look at the photographic merits first, and then weigh it against the intent of the image. If to me, the photographer’s portfolio is primarily about the attractiveness of the models, rather than about creative photography, then it likely won’t make the cut. There’s some amazingly talented glamour photographers out there, but their job is to portray an idealized figure for the purpose of inspiring desire. Fine art photography aspires to something more lofty in my mind.

The internet has really influenced fine art photography in that the visual vernacular of pornography is being increasingly referenced. Sometimes the references are ironic and critical, sometimes celebratory, and sometimes fine art photographers shoot work that is simply pornographic. This is particularly true of ‘fetish’ photography, as it is by nature full of photographic potential. Psychologically, it’s about power relationships, sexual politics, and violence. Visually, it’s got great dark moody themes, shiny latex and all the various accoutrements that go along with it. Nonetheless, I seldom post that type of work, unless the photography is exceptional.”

I understand you’ve recently had some issues with the blog around the definition of pornography? “Yes. My blog was recently put behind an interstitial warning page by Google because someone, somewhere, flagged my blog as having inappropriate content. According to Google’s terms of service, they define it as follows: ‘Pornography and Obscenity: Image and video content that contains nudity, sexually graphic material, or material that is otherwise deemed explicit by Google . . . ‘ Lumping nudity with sexually graphic material is ridiculous. What sort of nudity? Does a baby’s bare bottom in a diaper ad count? Does a naked adult female with arms strategically placed to cover her breasts count? Sadly, according to Google’s policy, anything that elicits a complaint from the most easily offended person can result in the warning page being forced upon you. However, as I indicated in the previous question, this has always been the problem with this type of work. The prevailing attitude is, ‘I can’t define obscene, but I’ll know it when I see it.’ Unfortunately, this results in the most conservative people wielding a great deal of power, and limiting access for the rest of us. You can say it’s just a warning page, but I’ve received several emails from readers in foreign countries that now can’t access the site because it has been flagged as objectionable. Here’s where I’m tempted to go off on a rant about free speech and Libertarianism, but I’ll hold off!”

What newer or emerging photographers do you believe are making good art with nudes? “That’s so difficult to answer! There are so many talented emerging and established artists that I’ve had the opportunity to discover through my blog. In a pinch, I’d have to say visit my blog, and in the permanent links section under ‘Photographers’ is a list of photographers whose work I admire. Many of them I have the privilege of having made friends with via email correspondence, others simply do work that personally inspires me.”

What are some of the most notable reactions you have received to the entries on your ‘Art Nudes’ blog? “The most remarkable reactions I’ve had have not been about photographic entries, but rather to personal ones. When I was going through the recent trouble with Google and then experienced a hacking incident that decimated my traffic, I came very close to throwing in the towel and quitting. The outpouring of support I received via email and in the comments sections was sincerely touching. I felt like Sally Fields doing her infamous Oscar speech, ‘You like me! You really, really like me!’ Seriously, it was wonderful, and because of those reactions I’ll carry on with the blog for the foreseeable future.”

What can you tell photographers that might want to submit their work to your “Art Nudes” blog? “They should read the Art Nudes Blog FAQ to see that they meet the requirements and then simply email me a link to their website using the Contact Art Nudes link on the blog. People should be aware though, that many are submitted, not all are chosen. A nice polite introduction and explanation of why they would like to be featured puts me in a better mood than a simple link submission.”

Michael Barnes, thank you for your viewpoints on photographing the nude. In addition to enjoying your fine work at barnes-photo.com I must say that I admire your philosophic stance on the art of photographing the nude. In my opinion your blog at artnudes.blogspot.com is itself a work of art. Your philosophy and sense of esthetics are very well exhibited there by the exceptional entries of many, many worthy photographers. Your leadership in acquainting viewers worldwide with those esthetics and philosophy is a wonderful phenomenon deserving of the highest recognition.

Giselle Borzov