Click any image to view the pop-up
gallery slide show.
From Playboy to Skin Two, from Penthouse
to Marquis, prolific fashion and fetish photographer Robert Chouraqui
has made a vibrant mark on the world of erotic art. He has said he's inspired
more by the "intimacy" of faces rather than the "anonymity" of bodies.
Sez G: Where in France are you based?
Robert Chouraqui: I am based in Provence, the sunny south of France,
after many years spent in Paris. It is more quiet, but the models love to
come down there. I also shoot a lot in London and sometimes in NY and LA.
Sez G: How do you think French fashion and women compliment your artistic
attitude and creative necessities? What kind of fashion design are you drawn
to?
Robert Chouraqui: Strange fashion or designer fashion. The more extreme the clothes
are, the better the challenge. It's a chance to shoot out a superb photo.
Sez G: How do you decide when to shoot black and white instead of color?
Robert Chouraqui: I use to do both during each session, but
now that I've gone digital, I do less black and white…though I still shoot
occasionally in black and white with old medium-format Fuji film camera.
I still employ black and white when I want very strong contrast or Horst
feeling in the picture.
Sez G: You shoot a lot of the darker side of desire. What's your personal
relationship to the fetish community and BDSM world?
Robert Chouraqui: I have always liked to photograph all different faces and looks:
gothic, punk, princess, submissive, etc. I don't like to shoot strong BDSM;
I prefer the sensuality, for example, of the soft use of ropes. I have never
photographed technical rope suspensions where the girl cannot move anymore.
Sez G: How much computer retouching do you generally do?
Robert Chouraqui: A lot to add backgrounds, but it is rapid, as I am good at it
and the computers are now powerful enough. I used to do a lot of darkroom
magic before the digital area like Polaroid transfers and lith printing.
Sez G: What kind of relationship do you have with
your models?
Robert Chouraqui: Usually very good, but it is up to them to really say. When they
come back for more, I think the feeling is the same on both sides
Sez G: How much of a shoot (setting, lighting, etc) is planned out for
you and how much is spontaneous? How much direction do you give your models?
Robert Chouraqui: Nearly everything is spontaneous (except when an art director
for a catalog is there). I keep the giving-direction thing to a minimum,
except if it is a shoot involving several people where you need to be more
direct to coordinate everyone.
Sez G: What's coming up for you in the future?
Robert Chouraqui: I'm working on a new book and exhibition at Echo gallery in Chicago
in October.
You can learn more about Robert Chouraqui at www.robertchouraqui.com.
Robert Chouraqui - by Sez G.
