LOS ANGELES - Uncensored (Provocateur, 2008), a new photo book by renowned photographer Joe Oppedisano, will debut Nov. 11. The book is a continuation of Oppedisano's 2006 best-seller, Testosterone.
"I think that the way I shoot makes it a glamorized version of porn, especially in Uncensored," Oppedisano said. "Firstly, I have almost every major porn star out now in it, in extremely compromising positions, but it does not appear cheap because the lighting is excellent. They gave me 110 percent, were excited to be there, and have become friends. Erik Rhodes, Steve Cruz, Jake Deckard, Ricky Sinz and of course Colton Ford are the inspiration for this, because they live their lives on their terms, and I find great beauty, more than anything, from this. I wanted these photos to blow away everyone's idea of what I do. I push it further, but also I let the sensuality take control and expose raw sexuality, no holds barred.
"Creating Uncensored was an extremely personal, intimate, mind-expanding and learning experience for me," he continued. "Testosterone was great, because it got people from places around the world to see the kind of work I did. Uncensored takes everything from Testosterone and amps it up 150 percent. It's personal work, not editorial, so I did whatever I wanted and had no one directing me. I want the reader to open up the first page as if he's getting on a roller coaster for a ride. When the roller coaster goes up, your stomach starts to get into knots. When you see the top of that first hill you're about to drop down on, it's all over...you're hooked.
"I am extremely proud of this book. It's like Disney on crack."
Major publications and corporations around the world have sought out Oppedisano for high-end fashion spreads, cover shoots and advertising campaigns. In addition to Testosterone and multiple wall calendars that reflect his raw, hyper-masculine style, his first film, Knockout!, was released in May by Greenwood/Cooper, a division of Village Lighthouse Inc.
Oppedisano's latest work includes a Broadway poster image he shot for the drag cabaret duo Kiki & Herb, as well as a piece in New York Magazine about a controversial poster he shot for Artfuckers, an Off-Broadway play. Other recent achievements include the 25th anniversary Calvin Klein spread published in Italian magazine Collezioni Uomo, and album covers for Ari Gold, Colton Ford, Daphne Rubin Vega, Raven O and IO in addition to Colton Ford's new music video for "That's Me" (which Oppedisano also directed).
Oppedisano is one of the leading photographers for Internet sites like Towleroad, OhLaLaMag, BeautifulMag and Connex247. Furthermore, he is known for his featured photography in such publications as Esquire, New York Times Magazine, Men's Health, Time Out, Pref, refresh, MR., Instinct, DNA and Gay Times, and his advertisements for Pepe Jeans and Carmen Marc Valvo have set trends.
"We are tremendously excited to be given the opportunity to release Uncensored as our first published book through the Provocateur brand," said Ron Miller, president of Provocateur parent company Village Lighthouse Inc. "Joe Oppedisano continues to not only provide his fans with the highest quality of work, but also strives and succeeds at surprising them at each and every turn by constantly pushing the boundaries."
The 192-page, full-color, hardcover (8.6 inches x 11 inches) book will be available through e-tail outlets like 10percent and Amazon, as well as in brick-and-mortar stores worldwide.
GayVN
- By
