So I just read this article in the New York Times.
Cutting through all the bullshit, Playboy is basically saying they’re not going to publish nude photography in their magazine anymore, seeking to appeal to a broader audience. The new Playboy will “still feature women in provocative poses. But no longer will they be fully nude.” The article states that Playboy has “been overtaken by the changes it pioneered.”
The nostalgist in me thinks: “What a shame.” But at the same time, I think that the statement of Playboy being overtaken is just and accurate. It’s been overtaken by those of us that try to put the art in the risqué. I’ve only recently started checking Playboy out again, and I’ve got to say, it’s just not been that impressive. Sure, the Bunnies are beautiful, but at the same time Playboy uses what I would call “cookie-cutter Barbie Dolls” for all the models. Where are the real women? The photography is technically good, but nothing mind blowing. There’s little thought put into the setups. The editorials lack solid, unique concept (and this here is the key, IMHO). Overall, I’d call the last few Playboy issues’ photography…bland. There’s a bunch of other publications and independent photographers who do a much better job of risqué photography. And it’s these folks that actually put an effort into executing a concept (art for God’s sake!) that should be rightfully drawing the attention away from “Playboy style.” Playboy is doing what it’s done for 62 years: publishing photos of naked women. If that’s all I want to see…well, there’s always tumblr.
The NYT article says that Playboy’s US edition loses $3 Million every year. Maybe the reason for that is not that the models are nude, but because viewers of nude art are looking for just that, and Playboy hasn’t delivered on that, by today’s rigorous standards. Yep, your market research is correct: people aren’t going to pay for photos of just naked women. Gone are the days of nude women being monumental in a publication. Welcome to the future: where the female form is celebrated in an artful, dreamy, thought provoking scene. Welcome to a place where we pay attention to styling, concept, and creative expression of the erotic. If I may have the gall to say it: welcome to Black Label. I’m confident you’ll find the value in what we’re doing.
You didn’t come here to read articles, and we know it. Censorship sucks, and if Playboy wants to start with the censorship, you can come here. We don’t believe in censorship.
I’m glad you’re here, and I’m going to do my damndest to provide you with gorgeous nude art for you to indulge in.
PS: Share this on your social media outlets so your fellow connoisseurs know where to go now…
