Thanks for the interesting thoughts. Glad you enjoyed the party: wife and I have already seen a preview of something we think you did there. We hope these thoughts are helpful but have no idea how representative they are.

We have not been to any bondage party or know of such a thing. Neither have we (yet) been to a convention or workshop so we may not be clear exactly what the difference is. We guess what you have in mind is a little like both but with a lot more opportunity for participation by those attending. We understand there are local groups in some places in UK and there may be one relatively close to us but we have not yet had the inclination to contact them. We would probably be more likely to go to something a little more distant where we may feel more safely anonymous.

So, would we go? Time, place and cost would be obvious factors. At risk of being even more obvious, location is a significant limit for people who normally work to the worldwide audience of the web. We are in the UK and would be unlikely to go to anything outside the UK unless it happened to fit in with a trip we were already contemplating. However, having an event in the UK significantly limits your potential market. That may not put you off: we note TASSP started in one person’s home (OK, no doubt Texas sized!).

That obvious point aside, we would be open to the idea in principle. What would we like? Some thoughts (not in any particular order and with apologies if some are very obvious to more experienced people).

• We know trust and respect is axiomatic in this world but as nervous novices we would hope for special emphasis for it, e.g. no photographs without clear consent.
• We would like to see, use and let others use on (one of) us different equipment we have not seen before. Perhaps hold the party at a dungeon where everyone can play/experiment .
• We would like to see what others do with basic equipment and limited rigging skills or experience. This site is a great place to watch top quality kit and work but at a party we would also be interested to see what others do with more limited budgets or using “beginner” stuff.
• We would like lessons in various ways to tie up with rope etc (Yes, that sounds like workshops within the party).
• Back to the obvious: we would need to know if the party welcomed all relationships (M/f; F/f; F/m etc) or was limited. RE is always a female sub and mostly a male dom (almost always unseen). We understand the Texas party wasn’t so limited.

Forgive us sounding another note of caution. While we have not been to any bondage or spanking events, we have some experience in other areas of “fan” meetings including some for people who have previously known one another through internet forums or similar. These events are great fun but always a lot of work. There are fewer people who help than you expect and times during the build up when you feel, “why the **** did I agree to do this?”. Financially, nobody would want to make a loss but it would be wise not to expect much more .

Sorry to get so long-winded. Hope this helps.

Andrew

Another thought: what about sets in a garage or storage room?

I’m thinking of somewhere with piles of boxes or some industrial-type shelving that someone could be tied to/on/around. I recall being impressed long ago (long before I found RE) by some pictures that make great use of the combination of the curves and softness of the model and the angularity and hardness of steel shelving.

Stories could run from the girl surprised by the burglar in her garage to the secretary sent down to the company stores for something and trapped by the lonely man there (or big boss and ambitious junior who go there when “working” late). I also recall some story somewhere about the girl who goes to the fetish shop, asks if they have something special and is invited into the back … !

When I said “garage”, I wasn’t thinking of a place with a car in it 🙂 . I’m thinking of garages like most around where I live where there’s no room for the car for all the boxes, off-cuts of timber, ladders etc. Come to think of it, it would be lovely to see you have a go at “girl tied to roof of car” like Jessica Alba in “Idle Hands” but modern cars seem so easily dented and I don’t want to be responsible for any expensive (and hard to explain) repairs. 😆

Andrew

Not sure which, if any, of these are suitable for the advert – or workable at all – but here goes. Hope some at least spark other ideas. Generally, I like the idea of the camera seeing through the eyes of a guest. It spares us looking at the men!

Open with receptionist coming out to greet the guest. While she describes the place, another girl is seen carrying luggage (special congrats to whoever can make cases look heavy but remain elegant).

Or, if using Bob’s idea about wife/girlfriend, second girl goes past carrying collar, cuffs, leash, gag etc. As camera approaches door, we hear (off camera) clicks, something like “come along now”, and possibly a muffled yelp as a crop finds its mark.

Guest is escorted to his room. Girl describes facilities the (real life) location can not provide (“That door leads to the North Wing, where you will find the spa, squash court, billiards room and dungeon”).

If you have a large enough table in the dining room, a slave girl centre-piece would be lovely: nothing elaborate, just one girl lying quite still. A colleague could be laying the table around her – a mischievous colleague could be trying to get her to break position.

The place could be decorated with reminders of Omar’s other businesses: a poster for a forthcoming auction; pictures of “merchandise”, perhaps with endorsements from satisfied customers (“the best $250,000 I ever spent”).

And a glance at the Room Service menu conjures lots: gives “selection of appetisers” a whole new meaning.

I liked the training scene in the original “Slave Auction” and would like something similar. This time, the trainees could be demonstrating positions like holding a tray or the correct way to kneel offering a drink. Strict instructor/tress, obviously.

And what about the girls discussing the relative merits of the guests – perhaps while doing chores in the kitchen?

Much more cautious offering this one: what about the guest being given a remote control to summon his personal slave girl? Yes, I’m talking electric play, something I know very little about. I suspect it would be easier, safer and more dramatic to fake everything on a film and I don’t know it that offends RE principles.

Finally, for some reason I can’t explain, my wife loves Bob’s idea of checking in the disobedient wife/girlfriend. How soon can we get this place up and running for real? 😆

Oh, wife explains she wanted to add, “husband”. Not sure she’s got the point.

Andrew

My PC monitor – on which we watch most RE videos – is 1920 x 1080 resolution.

I don’t much like wide screens (for movies or computers) but such is life 🙁 . Not a problem with RE videos, though: action is far better directed than in those Hollywood blockbusters that let it jump all over the screen 😆 .

Andrew.

Wow, what a lot of ideas come easily from that range of sets! I hope these few are of interest.

As soon as I saw the 3 stools at the bar in “Chamber 2”, I thought of your three slaves in “Slave Auction”. But you’ve only got one model. So perhaps the story will be to the effect of, “The other girls have got good buyers. You’re the only one left. You’ll have to try specially hard”.

Otherwise, the bar would be great for introductory scenes: girl has drink, collapses, picture fades, girl finds herself in another scene, sort of stuff. But the idea I would like to see is a more “voluntary” one, like: girl is sitting alone having drink feeling bored; sees notice on bar, “Open envelope for a night of excitement”. Opens envelope to find handcuffs and instructions; puts on handcuffs, follows other instructions – including to exit.

The dungeon equipment in “Chamber 4” suggests loads of ideas but the one I would like to suggest goes something like this. Girl wakes up in puppy cage. She looks confused and unsure (perhaps surprised to find herself nude). She spends a minute or two exploring the size of her cage and trying the door. She notices the other equipment. We see each item from her perspective (low down, perhaps some shots through bars). She imagines herself attached to various items. Is this horror or enjoyment? As the video ends, a voice off says something like, “OK, time’s over. Did you enjoy your sample experience? Will you be taking a full session?” (please forgive inane wording only intended to convey plot).

The “mortuary set” in “Chamber 3” looks like a great place for something completely loony.

Andrew

I may have got it wrong (I have done before) but do I detect “Open Season” for “tying the knot” jokes? You may think it no “yoking” matter but I am sure members would be suitably “restrained” in their comments – and some may have an “elegant” turn of phrase. 😆

Andrew

Wow, what an offer! The run of the RE mansion to suggest shoots. I’ll have a go. Apologies to you and Frankie that I don’t know her or whether any of this is really her thing.

Classic bedroom bondage is always good. Sure, the symbolism of “girl tied to bed” is obvious but we still like it (and that’s whether in your fantasy you’re the one on the bed feeling vulnerable or the one standing over the bed). Satin, denim, lingerie: you’ve done them all before – but you do them so well. 😀

For less common locations, the stairs and landing appeal to me. I know you’ve done lots of sets on staircases but (if I remember right) almost all are at locations with unusual (e.g. spiral or specially wide) staircases. All those wooden posts and rails on staircases fire the imagination for things like pole ties or “arms up” bondage for people who don’t have proper poles, hoists etc. The rail and banisters on the landing are just a large selection of anchorage points. Girl could be lying along the floor; kneeling with arms along the rail; bending over the rail etc.

You’ve also done lots of sets in kitchens so I expect I’ve just forgotten this one but I was thinking about preparing the Master’s tray while in handcuffs. The Master is, of course, very demanding in having his tray laid out precisely and delicately. Rehearse with paper cups before risking the crockery. 🙂

Hope this helps.

Andrew

Some comments from a relative newcomer to RE and a total novice at discussion boards/forums (or is it fora?).

First, my impression is RE has lots of ways for users to make their views known including voting on each set on the site. I think Hywel and Ariel are marvellous if they make any sense of it at all. So, rationalise by all means.

I support the idea of something for people interested in “techie” aspects. I am not a serious photographer myself but I have been fascinated by some of the technical information that there was with some of the earlier sets and suspect I am becoming somewhat irritating in my new interest in lighting, angles and so on every time I pick up a camera.

I also support the idea of having something equivalent to a “suggestion box” without responses from other members. On the forum, many topics (including those I have contributed to) inevitably end with the conclusion that different people like different things. How lucky we are that RE offers a wide variety of content.

However, I think it might discourage contributions if they were in the public domain. For example, I have a presence on “Twitter”. I do not “follow” any RE feed because anyone can see who I “follow”. I have Hywel and Ariel’s pages bookmarked as favourites on my computer, which I know is rather cowardly and also unhelpful in that they can’t be sure from their “followers” how many people are really watching them. Sorry, but that’s me and I may not be alone.

Alternatively, if comments are in the public domain, Hywel may find people like me pestering him with “e-mail” (even) more than now!

Finally, I recognise Hywel and Ariel are running a business and all businesses have to move with the times. They have to do what they decide is best and make the best use of limited time. I joined for the beauty and (very often) sheer fun of the content of the site. I know where I would want those running the site to concentrate their time and skills.

I can see the keywords are a good idea for those who are specially interested in particular types of picture/video but I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I am much happier browsing through the pages. What attracted me to RE (and continues to do so) is that it does not define itself primarily by content but by quality. So one of my trivial comments is that I would leave off the “Elegant” from “Fantasy Setting”. OK, you have occasions (like “Land Slave Girls” and “After the Fall”) where the setting isn’t exactly elegant but – face it – “elegant” is what you do.

Second trivial point: I wouldn’t use “consensual” as any part of your keywords. I think I know what you mean but you don’t want to give anyone an excuse for alleging that anything on the site is not 100% consensual.

I would keep keywords within the “search” facility. I keep worrying myself that once or twice you have done something that takes me by surprise and that I would have liked a warning about – but I think that’s a different topic.

Funny, but the two things Lurker puts together are ones I would keep well apart. So any categories will be imprecise and subjective.

I guess I’m a bit slow and you have already started shooting but hope it helps. As a new member, I expect someone to know there are sets where there is already something similar (or better) so be patient and give me time to work through the site. Meanwhile, here goes with some of the things I like to see.
More outdoor shoots – private location permitting! What about a large tree trunk (large enough the model’s arms don’t reach round).
More cages – or prison cells. What about a “victim of the evil prison guard” story?
Shoots in casual clothes. Nothing like rope round nice tight jeans (OK, you should make her take her shoes off).
What about shoots involving a magician and beautiful assistant/innocent volunteer from audience. I have been trying to think how difficult it would be to stage something to look like the assistant/volunteer is abducted to a dungeon during the “make the lady disappear” trick – either permanently or for the duration of the show.
A real favourite of mine – and yes not too unlike one of Lurker’s. The captured barbarian warrior princess is chained awaiting her fate. I imagine all sorts of variations on this but in the simplest she stands in front of a wall, her hands chained together at about head height. She watches the fate of her comrades and her face tells it all – anticipation, determination, horror, fear, resignation. I think several of your models could have fun with this (and do it well).
And how about some more bondage tutorials?
Hope this helps for starters.
Andrew

I find the stories often help – especially where the set is itself telling a story. “Village Slut Stripped and Spread” is a nice recent example.

Sometimes I think you get carried away a bit by them I thought the one for “Hot Wax” was silly and Hywel’s note confusing. I’m not personally into wax (because I think it messy not because I think it too painful) but there’s nothing wrong with playing with it in a BDSM photographer’s studio. We can add our own fantasies if we want.
And I dread to think what the malicious tabloid journalist or hostile cross-examiner (see “Thoughtful Stuff”) would make of that story!

The stories are a huge help deciding whether to download the videos – although I acknowledge RE is better than some sites in having the freeze frames as well. I’m not sure what I would have done if “A Visit to Honest Omar’s Slave Market” had mentioned that there was a fairly strong cropping sequence. I might not have looked at what is otherwise a lovely piece (which would have been a pity). At least I would not have been taken by surprise by the contents.

Generally, though, there’s not a big problem. If you like detailed stories, go for them. Like Anonanonanon7, I can pay as much or little attention to them as I like.

Sometimes I think you get carried away a bit by them I thought the one for “Hot Wax” was silly and Hywel’s note confusing. I’m not personally into wax (because I think it messy not because I think it too painful) but there’s nothing wrong with playing with it in a BDSM photographer’s studio. We can add our own fantasies if we want.
And I dread to think what the malicious tabloid journalist or hostile cross-examiner (see “Thoughtful Stuff”) would make of that story!
The stories are a huge help deciding whether to download the videos – although I acknowledge RE is better than some sites in having the freeze frames as well. I’m not sure what I would have done if “A Visit to Honest Omar’s Slave Market” had mentioned that there was a fairly strong cropping sequence. I might not have looked at what is otherwise a lovely piece (which would have been a pity). At least I would not have been taken by surprise by the contents.
Generally, though, there’s not a big problem. If you like detailed stories, go for them. Like Anonanonanon7, I can pay as much or little attention to them as I like.

Thanks, Hywel. Looks like some lovely sets. Looking forward to the cages. Looking forward to the outdoor sets.

Great to see one that looks like the Norwegian mountains in the background again. Wonder, however, if it’s the same one we saw in the July preview. If we are getting two, double wow!

Andrew

I’m very new to RE but even I know its great attraction is the quality of the photography, of which the lighting is a crucial element. I have very much enjoyed some of the archive sets where Hywel describes the lighting he is using.
With so many stylish shots, it’s right to experiment. I’m sure you were trying something far more subtle but it’s fair to tell you some of the Hair Hogtie shots reminded me of what I could manage with a subject that is strongly backlit from a window.
I also agree the importance of the models enjoying themselves. RE sells itself as elegant bondage and I started off so very impressed at how successfully it delivers what it says. Hair Hogtie was the first set to make me wonder about motives and worry a little. I don’t want to get off the subject – and yes I may be new but I am not so naïve I don’t know the descriptions often involve a fair bit of fantasy – but may I just say please keep it to restraint and elegance and you will continue being fabulous.