I do like the ones using the ribbon. They do seem to suit you Ariel and they lend a more fun image to the pictures.
Altho i would imagine they where a pain to keep in place given the slippery nature or ribbons?

Oh Cav.. 🙄

..there’s me thinking you were going to be super-mean to Ariel.. 😉 Glad nobody got the Christmas tree out for a background prop!

Barbie idea is a cracker tho! 😀

Interesting stuff, well done to all involved.

M

Those photos look even better now they’ve been edited. I’m so pleased with how well the photos turned out, I still can’t believe some of those shots came from my camera!
A brilliant day and great to learn how the magic happens. I learnt a lot about studio photography.

I hope a solution can be found for the slipping ribbons, I love the way they look and the way the light shines off them. The ribbons in the hair too is such a cute look.

Hi All;

Thanks for your positive comments. Saturday was one of the more memorable days of my life – I am so pleased I went. Ariel is even lovlier in real life than on the site (I know – it seems impossible but really she is) and Hywel gave an excellent tutorial. I suggested in the chat the other day that I found the day a bit surreal – I honestly think Hywel believes what he does is the most normal thing in the world. I think it first struck me when Ariel slipped out of her dressing gown ahead of the ribbon-tie (as you can see from the pictures without the ribbon she really wasn’t wearing all that much!) I nearly dropped my camera! – this was not going to be a normal Saturday sat in front of the TV. It was also quite strange seeing Ariel and Hywel in 3D, of course I recognised them both immediately, but it was really quite odd being in a room that I had grown so used to seeing only on my computer monitor.

Kate diagnosed the other evening a condition known to all who have experienced an RE shoot as post RE smugness – a condition from which I fear I may not recover. I was wondering though if any of you have any advise on how to snap out of it. I had two really long and fairly tedious meetings today and I fear that flashbacks to Saturday might have dented my attention somewhat. If this carries on I will agree to some more ridiculous deadlines and likely loose my job!

I was delighted that the ribbon idea sort of worked – at least until it disintegrated! I think the result was really effective. It is a shame that it is a bit of a nightmare to tie though (Hywel grumbled really quite a lot!) – it would be good to see a set where it holds out a little longer.

The suspension was amazing to see. It was the last set we shot and looking through the photos that I took they are the shots I am most happy with – I think I was a little apprehensive when we first got underway and it is great to see the progression in my shots as the day went on (I guess that was the point of the day). It was also really interesting to see how much Ariel puts into her work and the effect, particularly the hogtie and suspension, had on her (nothing major – just a need for a few moments to get her self back in normal Ariel mode).

I had a great time – a day that I won’t forget for a very long time.

CD

Ps – Not only is Ariel a beautiful woman and bondage model she also makes exceedingly good cakes!

I just have to echo CDs comments. A surreal and memorable day alright, and Ariel and Hywel are so lovely, as are so many people who have formed what I might call the Restrained Elegance community – the models, the photographers and a lot of the members.

Post-tutorial smugness, oh yeah. I’d like to use the word joy too. I still haven’t stopped randomly smiling, and I may not for some time…

Greetings;

The post RE smugness began to slip yesterday when my bike got a puncture on the way home and I had to walk a couple of miles with the stricken cycle to the railway station – it is back now though!

Ha, sorry for freaking you out by suddenly getting naked, CD – I always forget that it might be a bit of a shock… But I’m glad you liked the cake, made me happy!

Don’t lets get me wrong – there was absolutely nothing there that freaked me out – as I pressume my facial expression testified! As I say, it just wasn’t my normal Saturday.

you know you have been a photographer too long when your girlfriend strips naked in front of a room full of men, and all you are thinking about is how hard it is to tie knots in ribbon…!

I suppose – though again not a problem the majority of us will ever have (on balance therefore I still think your job probably beats the rest of ours!).

CD

Ps; RE Christmas pantomime – Ariel tied up by captain hook and sings whilst attempting to untie herself (the older Ariel might not have the same success escaping). In the meantime CD is going to look out the local drama school – fingers crossed for a production of hook.

PPs; Since there has been a bit of talk about alternative bondage materials (following the ribbons) – we were talking on Saturday about early bondage experience (as kids) and tying up/being tied up by friends. A common experience for the few of us involved in the conversation was dressing gown (bath robe) cord. I don’t think this has been done on RE yet – perhaps somehting that needs addressing.