The following is the first of a series of interviews launched for Fetish Portraiture photography week in Project Educate 2008.

=S-U-B-L-I-M-E is passionate and skilled at what he does. His wide range of fetish imagery spans the gamut and is representative of most of the popular fetish-oriented styles of portraiture--but especially latex!

Basics and Background

Name and location?
Darren Kelly
I am based out of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
I travel frequently up and down the coast, Seattle San Fransico, LA and San Diego

How long have you been practicing photography?
I have been shooting on and off for 15 years give or take 

Do you have any formal training in the arts?
I have never taken any formal arts training but have worked with many artists over the years on various projects. I really don’t think you could count my English degree as an arts degree lol.

What cameras are your personal must-haves on a shoot?
Digital is a 5d and a back up body, you just never know. A Leica M7 rangefinder, a Contax 645 and lots of great prime lenses.

How did you come to embrace the genres you prefer to work in?
I have always loved the art of great portraiture and the connection between the person being photographed and the photographer. Eventually after years of creating classic work and wanting something more I fell in love with fetish portraiture and its wonderful ability to create unusual interest and uniqueness.

Art and sexuality

What initially drew you to fetish-related subject in art?
Well …believe it or not after some time browsing and admiring then genre here on DA and other sites, I connected with a wonderful model , a wonderful artist and person in her own right; We began to collaborate on many projects and my style and passion for the art kept growing and evolving as it continues to do every time I shoot.

How do you personally define fetish fine art versus pornographic imagery? How do you feel about the controversy overlaid on this style of photography?
That is a subjective line that every individual tends to draw on their own. Personally I find it easy to see the difference between pornography and something that has some emotion, depth and artistic substance. I believe that most people who would enjoy this Genre would have the same ability and openness of sexuality to enjoy a similar but individual perspective.

Do you find influence from other mediums?
Most definitely….films, tradition art mediums and music plays a huge part in my work as well 

What kind of in-camera manipulations do you perform to glam up your portraits?
I experiment with lighting all the time  and just play with settings on M to achieve the effects I want 
I must add that if a photographer wants to be accomplished with outstanding work that a great understanding of the post processing ie: Photoshop and raw imaging workflow is a must. Much like when I used to process my own film in the dark room and had to understand the process and how to burn and dodge to create the best work possible.

What suggestions would you give other photographers about harnessing light to create a desired mood in their imagery?
Have a clear picture of what you want to accomplish before you start and get out there and experiment…try different diffusers..bounce your light turn some off move them around…lay play play and you might even surprise yourself. If you can use natural light and shape it with refelectors and srims and other glorious tools…dooooo it Light is just light so learn how it moves and make it bend for you.

Words of wisdom

What advice do you have for beginning photographers?
Step out of your comfort zone every day and change the way you do things every shoot…keep notes so if an experiment works you can do it again Try the craziest angles and just shoot shoot shoot!
Keep your camera on M and use prime lenses they will teach you more and keep you moving 
Hell we all need some exercise lol.

What advice would you give to professional photographers in a rut?
I think first the photographers must be aware they are in a rut…they may have just reached a point and stayed there…see it all the time. If they are aware then I suggest finding an awesome model with the heart of an artist and just start an idea together and taking it to the final mid blowing self satisfying vision  Passion, passion and did I say Passion  Get two passionate people together and the work that evolves will be nothing less that amazing. Oh and have fun!!!!!

What advice would you, at present, give yourself 5 years ago if you could reach back in time?
Shoot more!

What do you hope people find in your art? Or, what do you hope they definitely don't find in it?
Anything that brings enjoyment or makes them feel or think. Nothingness or blandness.

What inspires you most? How do you translate that to your fetish (or nude, or expressive, or other types of glamorous portrait) photography?
Everything and anything can spark a vision; a song, something I saw driving down the road..almost anything. I do the same as Ronni, carry a little notebook and right down the concept. I have many to shoot still 

Ego

Who is your favorite deviantART photographer and why?
WOW so many to list for so many different reasons.
`kentsoul for his indescribable rawness and realism with a warning soft undertone…masterful.
*KaosBeautyKlinik The uniqueness and originality is simply awesome.
*ronni His ability to capture the essence of his subject is truly amazing.

What is your favorite image of your own, so far? Why?

It combines a super talented model, a great location, amazing sexual energy and a great back story that makes it all special.

Is fetish a lifestyle for you or an expressive art form? Why?
Expressive artform for me…..I have had the honor and privilege of working with some amazing lifestyle people that have intrigued me to no end…..I think every one has a fetish side some just choose to explore.

Favorite ice cream flavor?
French vanilla with Caramel sauce.

If you could be any other person, who would it be and why?
Nahhh I am having too much fun being me.

Do you have your own fetish or infatuation, and if so does it influence your concept brainstorming?
I like all aspects of the fetish world but have a soft spot for rope work and latex 
Yes it keeps me dreaming up ideas all the time..

Anything else you'd like to say?
On a final note I would like to say that I consider myself just starting in this Genre and I am only getting started.
Thank you to all who have supported along the way so far…..so much more to create.



#thevaginamafia is the dAmn headquarters for fetish portraiture week. Be sure to drop by this week to meet the artists interviewed in this series, myself, and many other photographers of varied types here on deviantART!