Interview With Barb Bel of Darque Eyes Studios
by Cary
What inspired you to pick up a camera?
It seems as though I have always had a camera. If not in the physical sense, in the imaginary. Ever since I was little I would see perfect moments in time, they were usually only noticed by me. Such things as series of cracks in the pavement, a discarded doll in the woods, or the curve of a stone angel’s face in the cemetery. When I was 14 my parents bought me my first SLR. It was a Pentax K1000. I loved that thing to death. I shot mostly black and white back then.
What particular challenges do you face with erotic photography as opposed to other genres?
I don’t shoot what I would deem erotic photography. Some of my work definitely has sexual overtones to it. I shoot mostly the female form because that is what I am most interested in shooting. I love working with women and bringing out their unique energy and sexuality. Every woman wants to feel sexy, I love being able to facilitate that.
Do you prefer to shoot with film or digital?
It’s hard to say. I will always have a love for film. I love being able to go into the darkroom and see the whole magical process of development.
But Shooting digitally definitely appeases the perfectionist in me. I can take 30 film shots and hope that one of them comes out right.. or I can take a few digital shots and be able to tell if the lighting is how I want it. I have to say….with Digital… I do miss out on those magical shots that come out looking really cool because of a “mistake” with the light, shutter or development.
How did you become interested in fetish/BDSM?
My introduction to the Goth/Industrial scene when I was 17, (1997) opened my eyes to a whole different world. It definitely carried over into my photography. I started collecting erotic photography art books and magazines, and fell in love with the themes, fashion and exotic girls that you didn’t see in the mainstream at the time. I have been a collector ever since.
Do you think pinup and fetish are becoming part of the mainstream culture?
Oh, absolutely! Especially pinup. It’s popularity in recent years has really inspired a whole new genre that is becoming more and more prevalent in the mainstream. You see it on TV, and in print/tv ads. I think it’s fantastic. It’s giving girls that would never have a chance in the mainstream exposure like never before. I think the Internet, and Myspace.com really pushed the more extreme looks into the forefront. There is an incredibly diverse group of photographers, models, and MUA’s out there right now making some really amazing work.
Are there any other creative mediums you work in?
I paint, sculpt, craft, design and write some really awful prose ;) In fact, painting will always be my first love.
What kind of music do you like?
I like music that moves me.. either beaconing me to the dance floor with harsh beats that make my body reverberate with each base pulse, or music so sweet that it enters my soul and makes my old rusty swing sway... Other music, mostly punk rock...just makes me want to throw things or set stuff on fire. When I go out I like to go to DANCE clubs, fuck bars.. I wanna dance to Ebm, Industrial, synthpop, trip hop, and 80's type gothy stuff. I like the older stuff more so than the newer, but keep me away from deathrock... it's horrible. Some Goth Rock like Sisters Of Mercy is ok tho.. I love me some sisters.
On the flipside, I also love African drumming, hand drumming and melodic music like: Delerium, Boards of Canada, Xorcist, Dead can Dance, Bola and Boom Bip. I’m a sucker for female vocalists. I think Vast's song touched is pretty much the best thing ever and one of the sexiest songs ever made is Inertia creeps by Massive Attack. My boyfriend has a band NO LAST RESORT they are fantastic. you can listen to them here: www.myspace.com/nolastresort
What do you like to do for fun?
I love hanging out with my fantastic boyfriend and our puppy, looking in tide pools, tromping around in the desert or the woods, reading, watching movies, going out dancing, drinking tea, driving to nowhere, playing games, being a geek, listening to music….Photoshoots, painting. I love the apothecary aesthetic and have been collecting natural oddments and antiques. I love prosthetics... fake limbs, hearing aids, taxidermy, artificial hips must be neat-o...bionic eyes.. man I want a bionic eye....
See more of Barb Bel of Darque Eyes Studios at:
www.myspace.com/darqueeyes2
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