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by Paulo Abrantes
Since the early days, women were maybe one of the first subjects to be photographed and maybe one of the few constants in the photography time line equation of subjects.
The conceptual reasons for this, being like it is, are the main subject in hundreds of art books and talking about “why”, this would just be pointless because it´s so obvious and even more obvious to all those that professionally or in an amateur way, carry a camera in their hands.
The point is, when it comes to any kind of artistic expression, music, painting, sculpture, cinema, photography, etc, no one can really escape the power of a female body or a female face, for so many reasons: they express pure beauty, they express sensuality, they express mystery, desire, passion and all the best things that nature has created with the human race. And if this was not enough, women also have a special place reserved just for them in almost all the religions in the world.
Throughout the History of Humankind, wars were fought and peace was made because of women, kingdoms fell down and were raised because of women, friendships were torn apart and made for life because of women. And that is not all, look through any Art History book and you will find a comprehensive part dedicated to women, just because they are the real subject and have played a major part in the artistic production throughout time. All the signs today show us that this will continue to be the same in the future also.
As for why this is?
Some call it “Women´s Power”, and they also say that for a better understanding one needs a “global perspective”.
Me? Like everybody else, I have my personal opinion about the reason why things are like this but because I can be “wrong”, I will just leave you here with some great clues.
Surrealism, Hyper realism, Impressionism, conceptualism – you name it, all with different approaches but always the same dead end - working together or standing alone, these images really show great examples to perceive why things are like this, as besides showing a woman, they really have some message within the frame. It is of course, up to viewer to decode the message and meaning.
Below are 33 hints to achieve the absolute mental chaos in search for that answer – never discovered and as such, ever so beautiful.
“Nur ein Stein – How to disappear completely” by Dirk Mentrop
“Olga, Wet plate 18x24” by Dzmitry Az
“Charging” by Samanta
“Risa” by RED&PURPULE
“Under a dark sun” by Olivier Lannes
“EPHIMERA VI” by Alejandro Marcos
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 | Lara Kantardjian CREW What a fantastic article!! Thank you so much for including one of my photos amongst all your awesome selections Paulo. Feel honoured to being part of your article. To share a few of my favourite words from Helmut Newton who once said: “I like photographing women who appear to know something of life. I recently did a session with a great beauty, a movie star in in her thirties. I photographed her twice within three weeks and the second time I said: "You're much more beautiful today than you were three weeks ago." And she replied: "But I'm also three weeks older.”
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 | Paulo Abrantes PRO many thanks, Lara, and also for the non deserved but so nice words.
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 | Jan Blasko nice article. thanks also to use my photo also :) its honor for me and it is a surprise also.thanks |
| Paulo Abrantes PRO my pleasure, Jan. thank you |
 | Massimo Della Latta Beautiful |
| Paulo Abrantes PRO grazie mille, Massimo |
 | Ben Goossens PRO Great article and choice:-)
Best, Ben |
| Paulo Abrantes PRO so many thanks, Ben |
 | Dorota Gorecka Oh.... thank you very much :)
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| Paulo Abrantes PRO you are welcome, Dorota. thank you |
 | Erik Schottstaedt CREW Thank you Paolo! Interesting mix :) |
| Paulo Abrantes PRO thanks a lot, Erik. my pleasure |
 | Mandrake Zp | MDK ... like my photography mentor Bob Carlos Clarke said once ... "I want my photographs to bear the highest amount of sexual charge as possible, those touching the most animal instincts." ... In this perspective, only women have the visual and scenic power that has magnetized and continues to magnetize our most unconscious and primitive instincts, exposing in a disconcerting way our fragile human condition.... well done Paulo !... |
| Paulo Abrantes PRO many thanks, Mandrake. my pleasure |
 | Katja Gehrung Thank you Paulo!
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| Paulo Abrantes PRO many thanks, Katja. my pleasure |
 | Monika Vanhercke Thank you for adding an image from me :D Feeling proud :D |
| Paulo Abrantes PRO many thanks, Monika, my pleasure :) |
 | Jacob Tuinenga Thank you Paulo for add a image of me, in this wonderful serial photo's ... Superb!! |
| Paulo Abrantes PRO many thanks, Jacob, my pleasure |
 | Sol Marrades PRO Thanks for including my work in your article, Paulo! :-))
Women ... :-) Humans, with traces of mystery, with multiple nuances between the contradiction of strength and fragility and with the wonderful beauty and magic that gives it its own genre!
Women, for me, are always "multiple"
Good work, Paulo; congratulations!
Thank you very much, Yvette!!... for your dedication! :-)
Best, Sol |
| Paulo Abrantes PRO agree 101% and each day that passes by must agree more and more :) thank you so much, Sol, my pleasure |
 | Yvette Depaepe CREW Thanks, dear Sol! I love to do what I'm doing for the 1x Magazine ;-) 99% of the credit goes to Paulo Abrantes who is a great Editor, always providing excellent articles. Cheers, Yvette |
 | Graham Daly Very interesting article. |
| Paulo Abrantes PRO many thanks, Graham |
| | Yvette Depaepe CREW Interesting read and outstanding compilation of brilliant shots, Paulo! Love this article!!!
Cheers, Yvette |
| Paulo Abrantes PRO thank you so much, Yvette |
 | Olga Mest beautiful selection and an interesting article! |
| Paulo Abrantes PRO thank you so much for liking, Olga. my pleasure |