"The idea for the thread - discussed with Rob - was to create an open thread inviting contributors to share what they consider to be their favourite shot and also share the thinking behind their choice. The obvious problem is it would be limited to one shot per contributor and it's not beyond imagination that many would fear being called out on their choice. Perhaps it'll work, perhaps not, we'll see." ... Keith Laban.
Quite a tough one to call, but for what it's worth, here's mine, strictly within the bounds of the calendar genre; different genres, different pictures.
Why do I pick this one out, then?
First of all, it represents the fulfilling of a dream: shooting a calendar to my own design in the Bahamas. The early Pirelli cals with Francis Giacobetti were shot in the Bahamas and in Jamaica; I felt no desire for Jamaica, but I certainly did for the Bahamas. So, getting there was a big deal for me.
I came to calendars from fashion, and had the fashion industry in 70s Scotland been more robust, I would probably still have been there today. As it turned out, things were not great, most of the shrinking work going south to London, leaving me like an iceberg looking for a ship. Stock still made a lot of sense, so off we went to settle in the Mediterranean.
Anyway, I never liked porn and thought the people doing it were not only ruining the lives of men and women in the industry, but also of those exposed to such crap. Inevitably, the baggage that came with me to calendars precluded my getting my fingers dirty. On top of that, the very love of women/femininity that made me get into fashion was going to be carried forward into anything else I did with models.
The shot I post here, for me, marries femininity, fashion, travel and what the French call charme. It reveals my lack of love for complicated lighting.
It also shows the appeal of Kodachrome.
There you are then: the naked photographer.