This week I present you an interview with a man that carries a humble attitude while presenting us with his art and working with his models. I’m talking about David L. Le Beck A.K.A. *photoscot!

I'm a fine art photographer. I started this Nude photography of Women about two years ago. It's a great adventure. I've met amazing and wonderful people. I've also had some bad experiences with people who are just takers. All in all it's been overwhelmingly positive. I've even made real true friends. A couple of my models, fellow photographers, writers, and just people whose work I admire.

^Helewidis - Do you remember art being a big part of your childhood?

*photoscot - Yes. My mother was a musician and a painter. She made her own clothes. At Christmas time she made the family Christmas cards with wood cuts she carved herself. She worked in Pencil, charcoal, pastels, watercolours, oils and acrylics.
My father was an amateur photographer since his youth in the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930's right up to the late 1990's when his eyesight started to fail.


^Helewidis - Who was your inspiration as you played with your finger paints?

*photoscot - Probably my Mom.


^Helewidis - Were you supported by others to create?

*photoscot - Yes! Enthusiastically!


^Helewidis - What medium did you use as a child?

*photoscot - The usual: crayons, pencils.


^Helewidis - What is Art to you?

*photoscot - Art is Beauty that inspires and challenges the heart, soul and mind. Art is disturbing and challenges the heart, soul and mind.


^Helewidis - What are your aspirations regarding your art?

*photoscot - To make art that satisfies me and inspires myself and others. Also Exhibition in a real art gallery and in print, not just on the web. I've had one exhibit of landscapes in 1991 in a small art gallery in Dutchess County New York. I want to exhibit my fine art and erotic nudes. I also want people to buy my work and hang it in their homes. That's the ultimate. Having my work in someone else's home.


^Helewidis - What is your favourite medium?

*photoscot - Photography


^Helewidis - If you could, you would?

*photoscot - Work full-time on my Art.


^Helewidis - How did you find dA?

*photoscot - My friend and my third nude model Ariel X told me about it. She said it was a far more serious venue for my work than Model Mayhem.


^Helewidis - Did you use other outlets for your art?

*photoscot - No


^Helewidis - Why dA?

*photoscot - I like the format. I like the community. I like the fact that all sorts of artist from all over the world are here and interact across all boundaries.


^Helewidis - What would you like to see here at dA?

*photoscot - An Adult section separate from the part that is accessible to children.


^Helewidis - What is your favourite part of dA?

*photoscot - Don't really have one, maybe the messages and my friends list.


^Helewidis - Do you tell offline friends about dA?

*photoscot - Yes.


^Helewidis - If you could tell the world about dA what would you say?

*photoscot - Check it out! There's a cornucopia of wonderful art by everyone from beginners to the most accomplished you'd find anywhere.





^Helewidis - How do you choose your models? What is your criteria? Why would you turn someone down, for example? and Where do you find them?

*photoscot - Sometimes I'm approached by them. This happens more and more as I've become more widely known, sometimes I see someone who looks interesting and I contact them. My criterion is emotional presence first followed by posing ability and then beauty. Just as important. I want someone with passion about what they do, someone who considers themselves to be an artist in her own right.

My standard for beauty is very broad. It's more about presence than physical perfection. That said, for straight figure work I look for a magnificent physique. Wenona is a prime example. The best of both worlds is someone who has it all. Betcee May is one. Escura (*escura ) is one, Natalia Faina is one.

My Muse Betcee May (*betceemay ) is beautiful, she's by no means the most perfect physical specimen. Her presence and ability to convey what she is feeling with her eyes and body simply overwhelms all other considerations. As she grows in years she will become even more beautiful than she is even now, and an even better model.

I want a partner, someone who brings as much to the creation of the photographs as I do. It doesn't matter how pretty or physically perfect she is. If she lacks passion, creativity, expressiveness and posing ability, that severely limits what we can accomplish together.

I would turn down someone who simply doesn't inspire me. I would be gentle, but I wouldn't want to waste my time or hers. I would turn down someone who won't communicate with me. I would turn down someone who doesn't love my work, and know my work. I would turn down someone with limits that I think are too restrictive to do the sort of photos I want to do.


^Helewidis - What inspired you to pursue this particular genre (Artistic Nude) in the first place?

*photoscot - The female body is natures highest creation.

Try to find models who are creative artists, as models, writers, dancers, photographers, fine artists. I've found that there is a much higher chance of a true collaboration when your partner is an artist as well. You can achieve Synergy.

^Helewidis - What is the biggest challenge you've had to face as a nude photographer?

*photoscot - Learning to direct inexperienced models in poses and in expressing their emotions.


^Helewidis - What is your favorite lighting setup? Why? or, if you only do outdoors: how do you find the places? Ever had any troubles with the law/other people, etc? how did you overcome them?

*photoscot - I don't have a preference. I love available light. When I shoot in a studio, I light my subject in a manner that suits them and my feelings. That said My inspiration for artificial light has been profoundly influenced by the great Hollywood portrait photographers like Clarence Sinclair Bull, and the 1930's work of George Hurrell. Also by great directors of Photography like Jack Cardiff (the Red Shoes, A Matter of Life and Death), Robert Krasker, (The Third Man), Ernest Haller (Saratoga Trunk, Dangerous, Rebel Without a Cause), and many others.


^Helewidis - What do you answer to those intolerant people complaining about your art being only pornography? What would you tell them to open their eyes?

*photoscot - Mainly I ignore them. They are ignorant and short sighted. I guess I would tell them to grow up and open their minds, eyes and hearts to the beauty of Nature and the power of Women.


^Helewidis - What do you do to make a model feel comfortable being nude in front of the camera? Do you ever have music playing to get the mood right? Could you share some ways to relax when behind the camera or giving directions to a model?

*photoscot - I treat her like a human being, like a lady, someone deserving of respect and even reverence. I talk with her as if there was nothing unusual in the situation, which there isn't. Being without clothes is as natural as breathing. I also compliment her without being sexual in my compliments. Sex is the last thing on my mind, even if she is being sexual in her posing. I have fun and concentrate on making art together





^Helewidis - Could you share your 10 best tips with the community?

*photoscot - Ten eh... Hmmmmm…

In no particular order:

1) Have fun. If it's not fun, what's the point?

2) Make sure your partner has fun too.

3) Love what you do.

4) Choose to work only with models who will partner with you in making Art, inspire you, and that you are excited to work with.

5) Choose only models that know and love your work and are excited to work with you.

6) Try to find models who are creative artists, as models, writers, dancers, photographers, fine artists. I've found that there is a much higher chance of a true collaboration when your partner is an artist as well. You can achieve Synergy.

7) Communicate, communicate, communicate. If they have no interest in what the shoot is about it will not be as good. If you get to know each other even a little, it will be so much better.

8) Treat her with respect. She's a person, she's an artist. Without her you can accomplish nothing.

9) Ask her for her ideas. Ask her for her advice and experience. No matter how long you've been doing this she will know something new to you and have good ideas. Plus it will make her more of a part of the work you do together.

10) Never ask her for anything in the way of a pose or level of sensuality that you haven't discussed beforehand. Always accept what she has to offer. Always respect her limits, Always. Never come on to her. Never accept an offer of more than friendship in the context of a shoot. The world outside is a different case. Have her wait 24 hours and then she can call you if she's still interested, but never ever make the first move. Be honest with her.


Thank you very much, David!




~

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_{For more interviews with nude artists (focused on Fetish) please check ^opioid's news.}

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