Heart Of the Jungle

There's a LOT going on with this one, I'll admit. For starters, there's some serious bend-and-snap happening with that pose, and I'm fairly certain the human spine isn't supposed to do that. But hey, we'll chalk that up to "stylization," okay?

Beyond the obvious back problems, what I really wanted to capture was the kind of imagery you might find in a fashion or swimwear editorial. Think Sports Illustrated, Playboy, or... whatever!

One thing I've always admired about great photographers is their ability to use the environment to naturally frame their subjects. Whether it's the branches of a tree, a doorway, or the opening of a cave, those surrounding elements can guide the viewer's eye without competing for attention. I wanted to explore that same idea here, using the environment as a compositional tool rather than just a backdrop.

And I think it mostly worked!

Anatomical impossibilities and potential scoliosis aside, I'm pretty happy with how this one came together!

Artwork by D. Stewart 2022