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sfphotou.bsky.social
74 year old gay ‘radical sex’ photographer who has documented his life in San Francisco’s South of Market sexual underground since the late 1970s. Authentic. Provocative. VERY sex positive. Also a guerrilla gallery, gay sketch group and rope enthusiast.
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Chuck by Mark I Chester @sfphotou.bsky.social from Bad Boys on Parade, 1999. Chuck had modeled for @gaymenssketch.bsky.social. He was so beautiful. As the camera explored his body suddenly he was one of those statues of a fallen dying soldier or warrior. And in his death he becomes art and beauty.

‘Glenn - front’ by Mark I Chester @sfphotou.bsky.social from Bad Boys on Parade, portraits on the verge of the new millenium, 1999. My last series of fine art black and white silver gelatin prints before I switched to digital. I saw Glenn at a Pride celebration in SF, he was western dancing …. 1/2

Photo by Mark I Chester @sfphotou.bsky.social from the series Racial Portraits, 2008 I get asked how can this be a racial portrait if you can’t see the person’s skin color? That’s the point. Do you naturally assume that the person inside all that leather is white? That’s why it’s a racial portrait.

A photo of Stan by Mark I Chester @sfphotou.bsky.social from Diary of a Thought Criminal, 1990. Stan modeled for @gaymenssketch.bsky.social. I asked to photograph him. He was so beautiful. It’s hard to explain cuz the beauty went beyond the physical. I hope this image captures some of that feeling.

Photos of my friend Michael @michaelqnyc.bsky.social by Mark I Chester @sfphotou.bsky.social, 2016 for my Racial Portraits series. Michael: “there isn’t enough ‘big black booty’ in gay erotica.” I love these portraits with him reclining like an updated odalisque; sexy and hot, black queer and male.

Photo of @sffitguy.bsky.social by Mark I Chester @sfphotou.bsky.social from 2017. He was a photo virgin but he did a great job. He’s not a virgin anymore! 😉😈📷 Every day is hump day.

A photo by Mark I Chester @sfphotou.bsky.social from Racial Portraits, 2019, of a young man from Taiwan who was in school in SF. He drew with us at @gaymenssketch.bsky.social and modeled. He agreed to let me photo him. But due to family, religion and social community he couldn’t show his face. 1/2

A photo of Corey and Guy, by Mark I Chester @sfphotou.bsky.social for Racial Portraits, 2016. It’s been interesting as men of color have told me that it’s not about race for them. It’s about the contrast of skin colors, backgrounds and cultural experiences. It’s about someone different from them.

Photo of Sebastian Vego by Mark I Chester @sfphotou.bsky.social, from the series Racial Portraits, 2017. Honest conversations about racism in the queer community are not easy to have. But they’re important. These asshats will try to erase us all. It won’t matter if your color is black or white!

Chuck in leather by Mark I Chester @sfphotou.bsky.social from the series ‘Bad Boys on Parade,’ 1999 Some men you never forget. Chuck was smart, handsome and his dick was just beautiful, as was the rest of him. He modeled for @gaymenssketch.bsky.social and then my camera. His smile lit up a room.

Photo of Alex and Christian by Mark I Chester @sfphotou.bsky.social for Racial Portraits, 2016. In advance we discussed playing with the dynamics of race and power with a black man on top. Everything else just happened. Alex brought the carrot to the session. He may never live that down. 🤩😈 1/3

I’ve decided to go back to separate accounts. If you are an artist or a sketcher or a model, please follow me at @gaymenssketch.bsky.social Gay Men’s Sketch is the Tues night gay drawing group I host in SF. This change will allow me to post more art and promos.

Photo of Wayne Corbitt by Mark I Chester @sfphotou.bsky.social, 1987 from the series Sexual Portraits & Private Acts from the Warzone. Wayne was a chef for $$. But his passion was being a poet, a playwright and an actor. I met him one night at what is now the Powerhouse, in the 3rd row of men … 1/2

Photo of Tom with the American flag by Mark I Chester @sfphotou.bsky.social, 2012 In some ways, this image stands as the muse for all the portraits in Racial Portraits. The 2016 election cycle and the intense political rhetoric and outright attacks on people of color changed everything for me. 1/3

Gay Men’s Sketch Tues 2/4, 6:20pm SF time. In-person in SF & online model: @ilyaskhanxxx.bsky.social I was immediately attracted by his sexual eroticism, his smile, his hair and body. I can’t wait to see the journey we will go on with him! Yummmmm! $25. OR WHAT YOU CAN Text Mark at 415-613-0369.

Jimmy by Mark I Chester @sfphotou.bsky.social, 2008. For #fcf I consider it a gift when men allow me to capture them making themselves feel good. It is something precious. But I t’s still a photo shoot with lights, cameras, angles and perspectives. The photo session itself becomes an erotic charge

I love shots of men showing off their biceps and arms. A kind of gun show. A position showing power, strength and masculinity, three things gay/queer men are not allowed to claim, including subs. It may be why I love photographing them so much. Photo by Mark I Chester @sfphotou.bsky.social, 2006.