“What is pornography to one man is the laughter of genius to another” D.H. Lawrence – Quote in book referenced below.

A few days ago my visiting friend from Portland, Curtis Daily and I went to Don Stewart’s treasure of a used books store, Macleod Books. As usual I could not leave without at least one book under my arm. The book in question cost me $15. It has the title An Unhurried View of Erotica and it is special to me for two reasons. Before I buy any book I like to look at the first paragraph. It passed the test. Second, how many of you reading this know of any book on erotica not having one single photograph or illustration?

And besides having not only an introduction and a preface, the book inside had an interesting extra title inside – To the Further Liberation of Man’s Healthier Instincts.

 I simply could not resist. The book has a long explanation of Ovid’s book on erotica called the Art of Loving which had him banned from Rome. Ralph Ginzburg introduces the mention of Ovid’s book with, “The Art of Love was first to set the stage of Gallantry [capitalized by author] into literature…”

This paragraph also convinced me to buy the book, “ Before we proceed  further, however, it is important to state here that the word “erotic” is used in this treatise with its broadest possible meaning, that given by Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary: “Of, relating to, or treating of sexual love.” This is admittedly, and excessively broad definition. But no truly satisfactory definition of erotica (and/or pornography or obscenity) has ever been devised. The concept is entirely too objective.” 

I have my own definition of pornography. Pornography is something in bad taste. In my past photographic endeavours I have attempted pornography or steered into that direction. I always pulled back because I believe I have a semblance of good taste.

Furthermore in my idle time I have specialized in exploring my view of what is erotic and have asked a few of my female subjects to give me their take on what is erotic to them. One of my female subjects had an interesting answer to my question.

Wha is erotic? 

After many years of this I have gained one fact - women have better imagination for the erotic than men (or at least this man).

This man finds the photograph above of my friend Leslie as quietly erotic. Would that have something to do with good taste?