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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Possibly the best fetish images ever., April 25, 2004
This review is from: Kiss of Fire (German Edition) (Hardcover)
Lovers. Barbara Nitke uses the word almost immediately in her introduction. Each time she writes it, she makes it seem so simple, as if the emotional bonds that seal the people she photographs were visible as the light that bathes them, palpable as the breath they share. In the most striking of her images, those emotions, and feelings - the love being celebrated and exchanged truly is a tangible character in the scene, proudly declaring its validity. From image to image the language of the lovers changes: The eager light of a woman tensed for the next sensation from her Master, near monolithic in his anonymity. We wonder what it is that she recognizes as she gazes into the face hidden from us. A powerfully built woman, clad all in black leather gently catches the body of her slave, cat of tails still in hand. Having just administered blows to his nude back, she regards him gently as he reclines into her embrace, drunk in the sensation. A tiny Asian woman almost glows as she cradles her much lover, bearded and burly, but rapt in possession - he has given himself to her bound and gagged. The light of her face and shower of her hair pour over him as they drift in a Pieta of trust and desire. A regally statuesque Domina bends to her fragile female sub, dangling a kiss just above the thirsty mouth of her charge, made totally naked and vulnerable as she sits on the commode. There is no doubt in the mind of the photographer or her subjects, what they are telling us are love stories, perhaps not in the idiom we are most used to, but love stories regardless. Kiss of Fire is a collection of love stories every bit as valid and timeless and the Song of Solomon. The plates are the result of an odyssey Nitke has willingly taken over the last decade through the BDSM underground in New York City. She made her way to this otherworld through an early career stint as a still photographer on over 300 porn films. Befriending porn legend Rick Savage led to her introduction to The Eulenspeigel Society, the oldest and largest SM support and educational group in the nation. It was at their twice-weekly meetings that she discovered the truly "normal" people - teachers, nurses, businessmen, husbands, wives - who made up the leather "underground" and populated SM clubs such as Hellfire and the Vault. Nitke attended meetings, clubs and parties for months before asking members to allow her to photograph them in their play, always making clear her intentions to publish the final images. Many refused, justifiably fearful of losing jobs and perhaps their very families should they be seen in the resulting images. Soon though Nitke found a small group of lovers (her word) brave and proud and curious enough to include her in their scenes. For the next decade, Nitke and her camera submerged in the darkly beautiful, swirling currents where sensation, love and trust mix with flesh. Nitke approaches each scene as a friend, a participant, a fellow artist, even as a lover in ways, but never as a mere spectator or even a journalist. She uses infrared film for the soft, glowing quality it lends to living things. In fact, the lovers truly seem to radiate the sensations and emotions they revel in to the point of joyous immolation. Nitke rejects the "mechanics" of SM in favor of capturing "the lovers...lost in each other." In every image, she does exactly that - disappearing so thoroughly into each image that we are alone in our watching. Nitke, embraced by the lovers in their covenant of trust and excitement, migrates to the other side with them. She does allow us her heart and eyes to see with: The affection and tenderness she depicts her lovers (why not?) with grants them something higher than mere dignity. What she brings to this world is the ultimate benediction - normalcy. She sees them as men and women, loving and being loved. Just like us...only better. *Note: Barbara Nitke is also a co-plaintiff in an important challenge to the Communications Decency Act, a law limiting free expression on the Internet. The case is expected to go to the Supreme Court and is already garnering considerable national press. For more information, log on to Nitke's website, http://barbaranitke.com/ or http://www.ncsfreedom.org/
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful and titilating, September 15, 2003
This review is from: Kiss of Fire (German Edition) (Hardcover)
Ever since Robert Mapplethorpe's photographs were used to help justify the defunding of the National Endowment of the Arts, there has been a question whether sadomasochism is a fit subject for art. Barbara Nitke answers with a resounding YES! in this new book. With over 60 duotone photographs beautifully published on heavy stock, Nitke presents a world of sadomasochism that few will ever see. Nitke's photographs can be shocking at times in their frankness. A bound man cries out in pleasure and agony as another man behind him, naked to the waist, plays upon his body. A pale woman is seated on a toilet, vulnerable and timid, with all of her attention focused on the woman leaning over her. Each of Nitke's photographs is attuned to the interplay between the partners and the love that manifests even in the most extreme sexual encounters. Their interaction feels spontaneous; a charged moment frozen in time. Yet each scene is framed in a gently formal composition that makes even the most outrageous accruements seem beautiful. I enjoyed how Nitke writes of her experience exploring the SM community and her increasing desire to photograph the lovers she saw. "I loved watching them float around together at parties," Nitke says, "Flying on their endorphins, lost in each other. I loved the ones who would spend days cooking up intricate, delicious scenes to tantalize the other and then tell you about it afterwards like mischievous kids." Nitke has captured the intense energy of these couples' passion as well as the deep intimacy and trust that is required to engage in SM. For anyone who has ever wanted a deeper look into the glorious contradictions of kinky sexuality, KISS OF FIRE is a must.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautiful portrayal of different loving, October 24, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Kiss of Fire (German Edition) (Hardcover)
This book blew me away. I am a kinky woman who does not normally enjoy visual erotica. Mostly I find it cliched, sexist, disturbing, or some combination of the three. When I received this book as a present, I thought, "Oh, well, maybe my partner will like it." But, paging through it, I was delighted and moved by what I found. This is unlike any other book of visual erotica that I've ever encountered. These are candid images - real pictures of what the BDSM scene looks like on the inside. She shows people of different body types and levels of conventional attractiveness engaged in a wide variety of BDSM activities. The compositions are excellent. And, as only a few photographers are skilled enough to do, Nitke captures the moments when her subjects have their souls in their eyes. This book is a must-have for any kinky person! I was moved almost to tears. "Finally, someone who gets it!" was the foremost thought in my head, and it will be in yours, too. I believe that if mainstream folks see these images, it could cause a real change in how our lifestyle is perceived. The passion, love, and joy that we bring to our scenes is often not obvious to outsiders and casual observers, but she makes it plain for all to see. Simply amazing. Bravo, Nitke - I'll be looking forward eagerly to your next offering.
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