Closer Than a Kiss
Intimacy Front & Center
Notice!
This particular newsletter contains scenes of passionate public displays of affection with heterosexual and LGBTQ couples. If this subject matter is not something you want to see, read no further 🛑
I’m not sure about others, but the sight of couples kissing/PDAs was something I was uncomfortable with. I’d immediately look away whenever I came upon people that were so enaged. Feeling as if I were intruding on something private. But we’re out in public!
In 2019 I started challenging and recontextualizing my thoughts. As with most ideas I come up with, they’re evaluated using a creative question mark—can I explore this in a photographic way? So began this series Closer Than a Kiss. To not only bust out of the comfort zone I built—but to move into something of a discomfort zone. Challenge supposed societal norms that advised us to look away. I didn’t want to do that anymore. Rethinking internal aspects about kissing PDAs—they’re part of the human condition! It shouldn’t be thought of some sort of self conscious embarrassment to avoid.
Some public displays of affection can seem intentional or exhibitionistic. For whatever the reason, it is what it is. That’s not to say that they, or the PDAs in these photographs are not authentic. Individual observations are downright subjective. Interestingly, whenever I was involved in a PDA, I didn’t care about anything that was going on around us. I was totally oblivious actually.
The photo below is the catalyst that sparked idea and pursuit of the series.
I knew that PDAs were not going to be something I serendipitously happened upon when out in public. At least, not the way I envisioned their intensity within the series. For that, I needed volunteers. The real-life couples in the following photographs were solicited through a request for participation. To be observed and photographed for purposes in the exploration of the series. Ultimately winding up in a photography exhibition and/or photo book.
I needed to minimize the distance between myself and each couple, to get as close to them as I technically could. To move past the discomfort of breaking their personal space and really see. Using a moderate telephoto lens (75mm), I placed myself about two feet (0.7m) from each couple. Their physical presence with each other as well as the space between them—charged with romantic energies. Like a lightening strike between two objects. There was no artifice “for the camera.” There’s no faking these kisses, especially when they’re right there in front of me (you).
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One of the interestingly creative observations I noticed when the couples were kissing are the abstract shapes and colors generated by and between them. See the shapes created when their lips and tongues connect—observe those in-between spaces as they shift positions. What are you thinking/feeling as you observe the visual intensities? My descriptives may read as clinical, but they have to be in order to be as objective as possible given the subject matter.
The showing of affection for one’s partner is a powerful act. Even in public.
Think about your point of view when you’re kissing. You don’t envision yourself outside looking in. You can only see it from your participating perspective. The only other times you’re seeing such intimacy from an external perspective is on the movie, television, or computer screens. When watching, there’s an implied understanding that you’re watching a scripted scene. Not a true-to-life romantic relationship.
I had hopes of creating a larger selection of couples to work with in this series. Unfortunately, the pandemic and its effects have put that on long-term hold.
Do you have any overall thoughts? Share them in a comment.
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Til next time…
Cheers!
I think it's great when we recognise things we do not feel comfortable with and then ask ourselves why. What conditioned belief or experience has created that discomfort? Then to go out and challenge gently is a great way to break down that conditioning or move past the experience. This is beautiful work. I also felt the discomfort in myself but enjoyed challenging that and enquiring within! My favourite couple is the first of your 'deliberate' subjects. The photos seem to show a deep comfortable passion!
Beautiful series of photos, Kenneth. My favourite though is the first one with the unknown couple. It has a certain softness and vibe that the others don’t have.