In working with both gay and straight photographers, I have frequently noted a contradiction in their approaches. That is, the straight photographer will generally push me to pose in a rather stereotypically gay manner; i.e., wrist limp, hip swiveled, jaw arched, etc. Now, since I only appear in gay-themed spreads, unless the shot calls for a specifically homosexual text, there is no need to force me into effeminate poses. The viewer/reader already knows I’m gay, it’s an article about some aspect of gay culture or photo set showcasing gays. But the straight photographer doesn’t seem to trust his eye.

Ah, but then there is the photographer who happens to be gay. A totally different mindset. His prism of vision is the same as mine. He doesn’t feel the need to showcase my effeminacy (which isn’t something I am ashamed of nor consciously project or mask), he knows he will capture both the outer and the inner me.

Which is a long-winded way of saying that Nate Ndosi is comfortable in his own skin and clearly puts his subjects (gay or straight) very much at ease. Though he is a gay man, he is not a gay photographer, he is
simply a photographer. And a damned fine one, at that.

While I, naturally, am intrigued and fascinated and so very impressed with his work with older gay men (of which I am one), I am also just as impressed with his (so-called) mainstream photos. Mr. Ndosi has an eye for what lurks beneath the surface, what lurks beneath beauty — human and natural.

Great stuff!

I recommend another quality collection by Jason at http://www.amonggentlemen.com

Regards

Pewit