Q How long has the site been running?

My first post was February 1, 2003. So it's been up for about 3 and a half years. In that time the site has had over 2 million visitors and currently gets about 4000 unique hits a day.

Q What gave you the idea to set up a site dedicated to artistic nudes?

I'm a photographer myself and fine art figure photography has been my primary focus since about 1999. In the course of looking for inspiration and just general interest in other photographer's work, my bookmarks list filled up with dozens and dozen of links to other artist's webpages. When the blogging craze started, I was fascinated by the technology but didn't want to simply start a site that was nothing more than a diary, so I decided to start posting all those links in my bookmarks.

Q You showcase work by a number of photographers, does the list remain static or just those whom have contributed recently?

The main blog post section is where the variety happens, about a month ago we finally reached 1000 posts. I try to update a least 2 times a week.

The permanent "Photographers" links list is updated only infrequently. The photographers featured on that list are my personal favourites. I've looked at literally thousands of photographer's websites over the last 3 years and the list of people whose work impressed me enough to make the permanent links list is only 20 people long. There are a lot of good photographers out there, but finding one that really truly stands out is always a special treat for me.

Q Do you have rules for work you showcase?

Absolutely. In a nutshell, the rules are: No porn. No paysites. No glamour. After that, even if work doesn't fall into one of those admittedly subjective categories, it must be of a quality level that I feel is appropriate for posting.

Q Do you get work sent in - in the hope that it will be showcased?
(if so - how much of it is disregarded and how much is posted?)

Yes I do. I probably get about 10 photographers or webmasters a week writing in submitting their work or their websites. Based on the above criteria, about 30 to 40% makes it onto the blog.

It is really important to me to know that other photographers are visiting and enjoying the blog. I do semi-regular "Reader Profile" posts where I feature the work of readers who write in and show a genuine interest in the site.

Q Do you get models sending in portfolios in the hope that you'll showcase them?

That is less frequent, but it has happened. I'd like to see it more, after all, without the models we photographers would be forced to do nude self-portraits, and I guarantee that in most cases, you don't want to see that.

Q Are there any pictures you've showcased and have thought "I think I've seen that (or something like it) somewhere before"?
(TBH - I got that feeling over a couple of pics you currently have on show)

No question about it. Photography is like painting, there are definite styles and techniques, and it is inevitable that there are going to be similarities, especially when all the work I feature on my site is dealing with the human body. For me, this is one of the most important things about studying other photographer's work. You not only gain inspiration, but you also get to see how certain ideas have really been done to death and you learn to avoid the cliches.

Q How much time do you spend over deciding what gets showcased?

I probably spend about 3 hours a week browsing potential sites. Honestly, I've been doing this long enough that I can tell pretty instantaneously whether a photographer it is going to make it on the blog or not.

Luckily my Contributing Editor, Mariana of Gatochy's Blog, sends me a list of a few dozen links a month to review. That has really helped out. Photographer Eric Kellerman also puts up the occasional post.

Q do you accept work that is so obviously a "photoshoped" layered cake?

As far as I'm concerned it is all image making. As long as the basis for the image is photographic and the artistic quality is there I don't have a problem with digitally manipulated work. Although I'm still a film and darkroom traditionalist, I've learned to accept that digital imaging and digital manipulation is the way of the future. There is a lot of exciting art out there that new technology is making possible, and I'm eager to see it.

Q What other subject matter captures your lenses attention?

I working on an ongoing series of documentary photos of corner grocery stores and the disappearing industrial architecture of my home town of Victoria, British Columbia.

Q Do you get any emails complaining about the site in general?
(ie. it's not art it's porn by another name - etc.)

No, my readers have all been remarkably supportive. With the amount of raunchy pornography on the web, I'd be surprised if any crusaders would spend their time complaining about the type of images I post.

Q Has there any picture caused an outrage, or received critical acclaim?

Many photos I've posted have gotten great reaction from people. It's always gratifying to have people talk about how impressed they are with someone's work. As for outrage, I frequently post artists who are very avante garde, and these do get snippy comments sometimes, but they are generally about offended aesthetic sensibilities rather than morals.

About you in more detail

Q medium of choice - medium format film, 35mm film, digital, medium format digital, B&W, colour?

I'm primarily a 35 mm black and white film user although I have several cameras including medium format and digital.

Q What's in your kit bag?

Although I have about 9 cameras, I'm not one of those photographers that goes on and on about their lenses and so forth. That said, what's usually in my kit bag is my Nikon F-601 with a stock 35-70mm lens, a Nikor 105mm 1:2.5 lens and a few rolls of T-Max 100.

Q what's in your darkroom?

An ancient Omega enlarger, and lots of spiders.

Q which do you find more satisfying, darkroom work or sat retouching on computer

I'm still in love with good print. Although I enjoy fiddling around with Photoshop, it just doesn't match the satisfaction of a truly beautiful hand printed photo.

Q Your favouite piece of kit?

Besides my Nikon, my current favourite toy is a large Maglite flashlight that I've modified with a diffuser and a cone shaped shade. I use it to do long exposure "painting with light" images by lighting just selected parts of the model or background. It gives a very smoky, spooky light that I really like.

interests: List a few!

I work in the museum industry so I'm very keen on human and natural history. I'm also a big fan of junk shop antique collecting. I especially seek out old photographs although my girlfriend and I have got a house full of all sorts of miscellaneous stuff. I love fine dining, good scotch and spend far too much time on the internet. I am also inordinately fond of my 18 lb. cat Morty.

influences:

Jean Jacques Andre is my figure photography mentor. He introduced me to the genre many years ago when my ex-wife used to model for him, and he continues to be my inspiration.

Danish photographer Emil Schildt is probably my biggest stylistic influence. It was his work that introduced me to the painting with light technique and his images never fail to leave me in awe.

Person/people?

My partner Yvonne is probably the most important person in my life. Her sunny disposition and friendly demeanor keep me from becoming a full time curmudgeon and general grouch.

music?

I'm a child of the 1980's punk rock scene so music like the Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Angry Samoans and the Circle Jerks will always have a place in my heart. Now days though, my tastes are all over the map. The last music I bought was a 1960's era vinyl record of South American themed instrumentals and the last music I downloaded was a Japanese electro-synth band called the Polysics.

Favourites:

food?

I love cheese in almost all its forms.

drink?

Glenfiddich single malt scotch in the winter, Stolnichnaya vodka in the summer, pale ale year round

colour?

Hmmm... green?

joke?

I realised I was dyslexic when I went to a toga party dressed as a goat.

place (can be -location, town, state, country)?

I love the tropics. I get down to Mexico every couple of years but anywhere with white sandy beaches and palm trees suits me fine.

Q What makes you laugh (apart from this dumbass questionnaire)?

When someone who is behaving like a complete idiot reaps the rewards of their foolish action.

what makes you cry?

Honestly, it doesn't take much. Whether it is in real life or even in a movie, when it comes to tragedy I get misty pretty easily.

finally (stop cheering)

If you had the influence - is there something that you would change? (bring about world peace, prevent hunger or an event etc.)

I'd have to say I'd want to end religious intolerance of all types. There's nothing I'd like more than to have people stop murdering one another and imposing laws on one another because they feel their version of morality is the true way.

Many thanks Michael, hope you don't mind me raiding the archives for the other pics. I'll have to dig out some of my work and send it it to see what you think..

taken from March 06 archives - this is by

Professional photographer - Christian Witkin