Mitchell's A-Z of Fetish Artists - Kaarlo

I don't know a lot about Kaarlo (I believe the name is Finnish) but the style of his pictures suggests the 1970/80's. Those I have in my collection are mostly dungeon scenes in which 'leather men' appear to be subjecting innocent-looking acolytes to demanding initiations. The pictures are carefully detailed with authentic-looking backgrounds and the leather men dressed in full regalia.

There is a sense of real action conveyed by writhing bodies and facial expressions. 

The flowing hairstyles and willowy, totally naked bodies of the initiates unmistakeably mark them as outsiders or novices when contrasted with the leather garb of their mentors. The Afro hairstyle and exotic moustache worn by this one (not to mention his jolly smile!) doesn't exactly suggest a dominant personality to modern eyes. It's a fashion born of the flower power era, but a contemporary viewer would (for example) reference the TV character of Jason King (ca 1970) played by Peter Wyngarde. His spy had a similar flamboyant appearance but also a disturbing combination of sickly charm with a penchant for ruthless violence.

This depiction of a wild S&M scene stars another Afro character who actually appears to black, unlike the leather man in the previous example. He's wearing a skimpy thong and corset-like belt that have a hint of femininity about them, but there's no doubting his masculinity in Kaarlo's depiction, even if you disregard his aggressive enactment of the ritual. It's quite a remarkable and attractive cameo.

The blindfolding leather hood in Kaarlo's work is a striking and slightly sinister symbol of domination but the prisoner restraint here, though spectacular is relatively modest. 

Fashions aside this scene is really quite timeless.

 More suspension and hooding in this picture but I've included it not so much for it's merits as a fetish picture, as for the 'flying' top ingredient. That's an image that is also featured in other well-known pictures: 'Time Out' by Ulf and 'Athlete' by Zamok. This manifestation suggests that the source inspiration is considerably older than I for one had ever imagined. 

The butcher's block and meat suspension rails are somewhat unsettling elements in this picture but the leather 'Master' looks like a regular guy-next-door. He probably won't have much energy left for nastiness after 15 minutes raising and lowering the lucky devil who's getting his oats here.

I'm surprised that this W-shaped restraint platform hasn't been adopted by the S&M community, combining as it does the arm spreading capability of a cross with an unusual ass-revealing, leg separating, ankle fixing and all in a compact design that can easily be stored between visitors. 

Visually, the tapering shape and sub's arm spread create a cup/bowl-like receptor into which the dom lowers himself for cleansing. It's quite a powerful composition. The irons heating up in the brazier behind them cast a darker shadow over these simple pleasures. For me this picture captures the essential connection with danger and dark sex which makes leather so alluring.

Kaarlo - Robinson Crusoe 1 (Shipwrecked)

 I can't leave Kaarlo without a mention of his 'Robinson Crusoe' series of 12 pictures 

charting the famous traveller's (trouserless!) ship-wreck. 

In his explorations of the island , he stumbles on a couple of locals who are intent on humiliating a fellow villager. Crusoe too is captured by them and both undergo suspension and whipping

(not dissimilar to the imagery above!).

Crusoe eventually escapes with his new friend, only to discover that the ship that has appeared in the bay is stuffed with young pirates who are very excited by the new arrivals.

Kaarlo's images aren't great art but they have a vitality and inventiveness that amply makes up for the technical weaknesses.

Sorry no link info but a search of the GMBA archives (link in sidebar) will probably turn up more examples

Readers are welcome to contribute their own comments - even if they differ from mine!
For earlier examples in this series click on the A-Z label below

Mitchell's A-Z of Fetish Artists - Kamion

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I don't cover render artists in this survey, it is hard to compare CG techniques with hand produced art. This omission leaves me lots of material for a follow-up series! However, I will mention in passing Kamion whose dangerous subjects would normally qualify with ease.

Kamion - Barbarian Market

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This picture suggests something more serious than mere market trading - or perhaps it's me.

Readers are welcome to contribute their own comments - even if they differ from mine!

For earlier examples in this series click on the A-Z label below

Mitchell's A-Z of Fetish Artists - K

There are a number of distinguished artists under the letter 'K' but not all qualify for this review. 

 

Kimura - Rugby Shorts

 

Much as I enjoy Kimura's boy candy (particularly his depictions of shorts) 

it hasn't got an ounce of danger or smut in it. 

 

Kent - Cotton Candy

  

Kent's craggy men are more sexual beings and a terrific advert for underwear sometimes. But although they sometimes accessorise with rope or 'cuffs, that's about as far as it goes.

It's a shame as both artists have stunning techniques - in totally different ways - Kimura soft and romantic, Kent crisp and metallic. I would love to drool over their work at greater length

These exclusions still leave us with a delicious selection of artists, old and new, including Kalabro, Nigel Kent and Kok (aka Dorus)

For earlier examples in this series click on the A-Z label below

Men Sharing Clothes 6 - Black Shorts and Hooped Socks

For the last in this series (at least for now) I revisit 'Bound Guys' one of my current favourite sites. In previous examples there is a bit of a cloning effect on different guys. These pictures show that the same clothes (shorts and socks) can look remarkably different on different men.

Simon of Bound Guys

On Simon (picture 1) the hoops on the socks show off the shape of his legs nicely. The combination of the unusual black and yellow pattern with the knitted hat and hairy chin and legs creates a casual, youthful, almost hippie-like appearance which is very sexy. In contrast, the shorts seem to contribute little but the square-cut legs subtly highlight a thick muscular thigh.

Marco in the same gear

On Marco (picture 2) the same garments produce a very 'buttoned up' clean and neat effect. The shorts come into their own here showcasing thighs and suggesting a nice shaped bottom. The crease-free socks add bulk to the lower leg and draw attention to the absence of footwear....and of ankle bindings which would extend the pattern of hoops further down the legs. If this is a deliberate design by the photographer it's genius!

Link:- Bound Guys

Men sharing clothes 5 - White G-strings

Dean Lahr in G-string

I think the G-string/posing pouch is a much neglected item of apparel. I know many hate them and it's not real clothing of course but I find them sexy provided that they look 'right', i.e. clean and crisp and showing off the lumpy shape inside. The diminutive dimensions may frustrate size enthusiasts anxious to see the model's true potential, but they suggest constraint to me and a hint of humiliation (as in “You don't expect me to get into that do you?”).

Billy Joe Carr in the same

As far as the 'sharing clothes' theme goes you could hardly conceive a more intimate garment. The men in these pictures from WPG studio (Link:Western Photography Guild) ) sure know how to wear them!

Men sharing clothes 4 - Tight, White Shorts

Wally Grimme

Two more vintage snaps, this time from Scott Studio. Tight white shorts were his trademark and every model had to get into them. It must have been quite a sight. The unambiguous bulges in them remain erotic and it is puzzling in retrospect how these pictures escaped the censor.

Rick Wayne

 

!!!!! See also Brian Cross by Scott !!!!!!!

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If you like AMG and vintage stuff there's a good blog at Vintage Male Photos

Men Sharing Clothes 3 - Striped G-Strings

My frivolous series takes it's inspiration from AMG today. These distinctive horizontal striped G-strings (or posing pouches as AMG labelled them) crop up in lots of their pictures so you have to wonder how big a supply they had - or did the boys have to share?

Jim Paris in the stripes

The stripes may look a bit naff but they are very successful at highlighting Jim Paris's packet in this shot. But it's so discreet! Without the benefit of 'zoom' in those days, our predecessors must have strained their eyes trying to see more.
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Tony Gallo looking perky

Wrestling will have been the first glimpse of straining manflesh for many of us. There must have been plenty of sweating under the lights here. It's hard to make it look real but Jim Mizer knew what he wanted to show! The stripes here draw the eye like a lighthouse on a stormy night. Monte Hansen has to make do with a regulation, plain pouch. Tony Gallo looks the other way to avoid a sweaty faceful.

 

Dennis Lavia's sweaty muscle

Dennis Lavia laid out in picture 3 isn't the prettiest model but he shows a very nice body capturing a balance of muscularity and lean-ness. The rather cuter David Mineric is forcing Dennis's arm up behind his back which shows off his upper body curves and makes sure he can't escape from the pouch if he's having second thoughts.

If you like AMG and vintage stuff visit AMG studios there's a blog at Vintage Male Photos

For other articles in this series click on the 'sharing' label below .