Customer Reviews

Asia Bondage

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In this beautiful book of 160 pages, New York art photographer Steven Speliotis explores his fascination with dominance & submission. He specifically chose to work with Asian females, utilizing the their long and well known history of cultural subordination as the pedestal on which this work stands. The noted contrast between the white ropes that he uses along with his models' silken white skin with the dark and isolated studio in which they are "imprisoned" is what captures you. This, one might say, is Steven's secret ingredient - a potent use of minimalism. That's all it is: black hair and black shadows, white rope and white skin, all knotted up into distended, contorted, striking human sculptures.

There is a message here. And Speliotis conveys it with the exquisite photography that he has become renown for. Commanding, brooding, enthralling, Asia Bondage has both the material and attitude to appeal to a wide range of interests. The photography is MAGNIFICENT!!!

The 147 full page black and white photos are pleasant to leaf through. The composure and lighting of each picture is immaculate. However, the bondage itself is mostly decorative rather than functional. I was disappointed by the sloppiness of much of the ropework, especially considering the tradition of elaborate and strict positions that Japanese bondage engenders. This book would make a respectable coffee table conversation starter for those so inclined, but is in no way suitable as a "how to" reference. The pictures depicting rope coiled around the neck could be potentially dangerous - don't try this at home!

I was doing some research for an art project concerning human bondage, when I stumbled across this book on Amazon. I liked the photograph on the cover, and the book seemed to get good reviews; but, let me tell you, it's nothing but a disappointment. 1) The photography could have been better. 2) The women are plain-Janes. No excitement here, just boring pictures. I'll give the photographer some credit by saying he HAD a good idea (notice I said "had"), but when it appears he had an exceptional idea, he fails to convey it through his photographs. Given the photographer's experience and knowledge, I think anyone could have done better at exposing Asian bondage and sensuality. Don't buy this book, you'll regret it.

If you are interested specifically in rope bondage, the ties are quite disappointing. If you simply enjoy black and white photography and skillfully executed compositions that focus on textures and light & shadow, then you're set. I enjoyed the photos but wound up passing the book on to a friend.

Don't be fooled by the cover of this book I decided to go ahead and purchas this book to see what it was like and there are some nice pictures.But the bondage was very sloppy and unless you want to take a gamble like I did and buy this book. I would not recommend it Since I have had it I only looked at it twice and I'm not that impressed it has now become another book that is just collecting dust on my shelves I will most likely take it and trade it for another book at a second hand book store or sell it at the next yard sale I think it was a waist of money buy something else that you will enjoy more .

It's not just that the rope work is sloppy, as other reviewers have mentioned. (It's also uncreative: there are many beautiful things you can do with rope if you use your imagination.) The main problem is that, with very few exceptions, these images are lifeless. The models look like statues with some rope around them.

Also, you can tell that the photograph on the cover was airbrushed. (Among other things, a mole has been removed from the model's back.) That makes me wonder what else in this collection has been "improved." And frankly, it makes me wonder what the artist thought he was trying to accomplish with this project.

although not as detailed as I would have liked, it is a pleasant coffee table book with interesting subject matter.

There were probably half a dozen photos with compelling ropework; otherwise they're photos of women with rope draped over them and a few Lark's Heads on their arms & legs. The secondary theme for the book could be "Unrealized Potential" as there are so many missed opportunities for visually-interesting ties.

The photos are well done from a technical standpoint, but offer very little from an aesthetic standpoint.

Not only is this book a must have to show off on your coffee table while friends ooh and aah, it's a book filled with layers of emotion and women who release there inhibitions. Steven Speliotis has definitely made a statement about life in the sense that we are all bound to one thing or another, and can find joy and freedom through that bondage. It's also an absolutley stunning book to look through and just take in.

I enjoy looking at the images of Asia Bondage, and I highly recommend people who're interested in bondage art to own this book. If you like the cover of Asia Bondage, you may like to see more images from this book on Speliotis website. You'll be amazed by the stunning images he created.