This post was originally going to feature the most overrated item in the BDSM toolbox. After the last couple of posts on underrated equipment, I thought that might be a fun way to finish this series. Unfortunately, after pondering the idea, I’m not sure there are any good candidates for that category. Everything commonly used has its fans. I’m personally not a fan of blindfolds, but I know that a lot of other kinksters love them. Figging would be another personal choice for overrated activities, but I’m not sure something so niche could ever be described as overrated.
Instead let me go with the most overrated BDSM pose, as exemplified by the image below. This kind of shot crops up in fashion shoots all the time. It’s a strong visual and one photographers always reach for when wanting to portray a femdom dynamic. Yet in my opinion, it doesn’t work well in real play. There’s no sense of connection between the domme/sub and, if you want to do objectification, then a footstool or table position is much easier to maintain for a longer period. It’s a pose that’s great for a camera but not much else.
This is the model Lydia Possner as shot by Markus Brink. More images from the same shoot in this post.
It’s a pose that’s great for a camera but not much else.
There are common BDSM photo tropes that make me crazy because, as you say, they’re only for the camera, and don’t actually do anything in real life.
That said, there’s a *visual* appeal that can’t be ignored. I enjoy them, but I’m not happy about it. If that makes sense.
Totally makes sense. I feel the same way. The visual triggers for me are often very different to what I know in reality makes sense. I’ve mostly made my peace with that, but I do enjoy spotting the really obvious examples of the dichotomy.
-paltego