Victorian Risque

The Victorian Era was a period that lasted between 1837 and 1901. During the earlier parts of this period the early births of photography were coming to fruition, however, with the first photographs being produced by a metal plate which sometimes meant the subject in question would have to pose for minutes rather than seconds it was impractical and almost impossible to capture portraits. When Henry Fox Talbot came along with his negative-positive process making multiple copies of an image possible, coupled with a camera that offered a reduction in exposure time, Victorian portraiture, Victorian Risque and light pornography began to circulate. These images were often distributed discreetly via the postal system or at train stations in sets or as a series. Woman were often handed or placed amongst props making the images of women thinly disguised erotica. The extent of promiscuity within photographs started very subtly and catered to a variety of different tastes whilst modeling the fashionable clothing of that era. People often look back at the victorian era with wistful nostalgia as there are very many a stereotype and ideal concerning the victorian male and female. It is interestingly reflected on through the imagery of the time due to the repression towards women of that era. A woman needed to act with the highest degree of etiquette. Woman were not allowed to swim or openly show acts of liberation.

So one cold sunday afternoon I took a willing model, stylist and my GOLDY '6X9' pinhole camera to see if we could capture some interesting Victorian imagery.

Model- Tanith Megan Laurie

Make up, Assistant, Styling- Holly Pascoe