No Ifs or Ands: Put the Butts in to Photography

A photograph taken from an unusual angle can take an image from the dull to the wonderful in an instant. Instead of concentrating on the face, why not take a chance on that sometimes neglected (and other times overused) part of the anatomy – the butt. Call it what you like, caboose, bum or bottom – its inclusion on film can make a photograph. Have a look at this collection – no ifs or ands, but quite a few butts.

Deer Derriere

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Deer are cute – there is absolutely no denying that.  However, ever since the days of Bambi, people have been shooting deer (was that an intentional play on words? Decide for yourself!) like there was no tomorrow.  Instead of taking pictures from the front why not position yourself behind them and see what you come up with?  Here a stunning blend of colors and situation work together to give this photo and edge it would just not have had from any other angle.

Avian Arse

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Photography should be as much about story telling as literature.  If you take a picture of a duck, for example, you may just end up with – mmm, a picture of a duck.  If you wait for the duck to position itself unusually or in this case dive down in to the water, then you have a picture which starts to tell a story and makes people think or wonder about what happened next!  Again, no need to work from the front – stay still and let the duck do the work for you!

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The same could apply equally to this American White Pelican.

Porcine Hinney

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The words ‘pig’, ‘butt’ and ‘cute’ may not immediately spring to mind as going together, but with some work – and a keen sense of humor – the words can come together photographically to make a wonderful composition.  Here, although the porcine bootyliciousness is undeniable, the real sources of interest in the picture are the tails of the pigs, which are at once graceful and amusing.

Equine Posterior

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One wouldn’t normally associate a photo where a butt predominates as an image of sheer grace combined with power, but here you have it.  The face is almost entirely an irrelevance when the beauty of this beast is taken in.  The gloss on the coat is wonderfully caught and this is a rare, languid, shot of a (three quarter) donkey raising itself after a rest on the ground.

Birdy Butt

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It is vital in photography to get the angle right and with a little time and effort a picture of a bird in a tree can be made in to something different and engaging.  This picture demands an immediate double take as on first inspection it could seem to be a species of visiting alien perched precariously like a little feather-ball with a Mohican.  As much attention has been paid to capturing the texture of the branches as the bird itself and this picture thus becomes much, much more than just ‘bird on a twig’.

Rhino Cheeks

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Instantly recognizable as a rhino, who needs the whole animal to make an interesting and thought provoking photograph?  Here, the focus is upon the sheer power of the animal with the texture of the shot making the rhino’s rear end look more like concrete than skin.  The background is well chosen, too, as it matched with the colors of the animal itself and shows its camouflage techniques nicely at work.

Alpha Male Taillights

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Taken in Richmond Park in the UK, this alpha male looks after his females from a distance where he can take in both his charges and any apparent threat to them.  Where the image is contextualized by distance and group, there is no need to see the front of the male.  His antlers are wonderfully caught in the sunlight and the picture loses none of its effect by being of his hind quarters.

WTF Goose Caboose

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A gosling rather than a goose, to be honest, but the right angle can lead to a WTF moment without too much effort.  Here a gosling takes a dip and a drink but shot from behind it would certainly lead to many people wondering what on earth it could be.  The answer comes to mind fairly quickly, of course, but the fun is in those few seconds where this photograph demands to be looked at a second time!

Zebra Buns

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The lovely black and white stripes of the zebra make it perfect for behind shot from the rear.  With the stripes, evolved over millions of years specifically for the purpose of being photographed, it is sometimes time to go back to our roots and use some black and white photography. 

Sheep Tush

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Some animals are best avoided when it comes to butt photography and sheep are usually the ones you should leave alone.  Ask any Australian what a ‘dag; is and you will receive quite a graphic answer.  Let us just say that sometimes sheep don’t quite take as much care of their nether regions as some animals.  However, given the right conditions all that can be put to one side, as this charming image of a mother and her lamb shows.

The Perennial Problem – Homo sapiens!

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The behind of the species known as Homo sapiens is fraught with complications when it comes to photography.  We are too knowing, perhaps, of what its primary functions are and that can mean that butt photography can be a little, let’s say exploitative at times.  It is too easy to take a photo of this species because of outlandish size the rear end can reach or the comic juxtaposition between the subject and the articles of clothing they (try to) wear.  However, with patience this shy and timid species can be butt-captured on film and make for a charming composition at the same time.

Inanimate Buns

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Not only animate objects have butts – thanks to the Victorians we have bare backsides bursting through the foliage in local parks all over the world.  The butt does not have to be an object of prurience, however – and here this finely toned specimen is captured with a spider’s web spun around it.  Perhaps the spider had something of a ‘cheeky’ sense of humor.  Joking aside, the light capture in this photo is remarkable and the division of the picture in to two halves is beautifully coordinated.

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A carefully positioned camera can make a straightforward picture in to one where the viewer must ask questions about the nature of their existence.  The nakedness of man and his technological ambitions are here put in stark contrast to each other.  The bare butt is significant – what are we as individuals in the face of our achievements?

Fag Butt

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Before any unwordly American expires from an apoplectic fit brought about by the use of ‘fag’ and ‘butt’ together, allow me to point out that in the UK the word fag is slang for a cigaretter.  And what online article is complete without a small play on words?  Whatever your opinion of the habit, the cigarette butts used in this composition provoke thought and discussion to say the least about the nature of nicotine consumption.  Addicts are the slave to the tobacco god, but what does the tobacco worship?

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31 Responses to “No Ifs or Ands: Put the Butts in to Photography”

  1. C Jordan Says...

    On November 29, 2008 at 8:58 am

    Quite a cheeky article RJ


  2. Lauren Axelrod Says...

    On November 29, 2008 at 9:14 am

    Original piece and I never knew about the cigarette name. Amazing how cultures differ around the world.


  3. MJPatrick Says...

    On November 29, 2008 at 10:28 am

    It is good that I was educated with American Enlish butt :-)
    este(mix with a bit of EspaƱol)but learning British English makes a lot of difference. I enjoyed looking at those sexy butts and the read as well.


  4. Mark Gordon Brown Says...

    On November 29, 2008 at 12:07 pm

    We need more of this type of thing.


  5. Peter Cimino Says...

    On November 29, 2008 at 12:11 pm

    Unique to say the least. Well done my friend.


  6. Liane Schmidt Says...

    On November 29, 2008 at 1:52 pm

    haha – original article – nice work!

    Blessings.

    Sincerely,

    -Liane Schmidt.

    p.s. I like what C Jordan said – haha!


  7. Juancav Says...

    On November 29, 2008 at 1:54 pm

    This is a good approach looking at it from the rear,indeed very entertaining.


  8. Kiefer Says...

    On November 29, 2008 at 2:08 pm

    Haha nice article.


  9. Allison Jae Says...

    On November 29, 2008 at 3:51 pm

    That’s a lot of butts.


  10. Darlene McFarlane Says...

    On November 29, 2008 at 4:31 pm

    I loved it and I it looks like I am not alone. My favorite is the Goose Caboose.

    Here, here! The Butts have it!


  11. Ruby Hawk Says...

    On November 29, 2008 at 5:38 pm

    Now those are some cute butts. Take care, Ruby


  12. Unofre Pili Says...

    On November 29, 2008 at 5:58 pm

    Very jokey and witty article.


  13. Bunny got Blog Says...

    On November 29, 2008 at 6:52 pm

    Great photos and post.


  14. Matt John Says...

    On November 29, 2008 at 9:21 pm

    Nice article and i loved it!


  15. Lost in Arizona Says...

    On November 29, 2008 at 9:28 pm

    You are one cheeky Englishman..lol! But I think that’s why I like you so much RJ. ;) Clever and unique. I especially thought the Homo sapiens picture was cute..


  16. Nivu Whatani Says...

    On November 30, 2008 at 7:36 am

    Cool article! Keep up the good work.


  17. joystick7 Says...

    On November 30, 2008 at 11:39 am

    I loved this post!!


  18. Rana Sinha Says...

    On December 1, 2008 at 2:17 am

    Very witty and a fun treat. Thanks.


  19. eddiego65 Says...

    On December 1, 2008 at 8:11 am

    This is a lot of butts to look at in one sitting. Entertaining and unique post!


  20. Chris Hamilton Says...

    On December 1, 2008 at 10:55 am

    Wow I would have never came up with something like this. Very interesting and quite funny. Great work and idea. Loved it.


  21. s hayes Says...

    On December 2, 2008 at 7:01 am

    original, quirky, fun & cheeky x


  22. Dendro Azures Says...

    On December 2, 2008 at 7:24 am

    Very good article and original. Just about any photography mag I’ve read at some point relates to what you’ve shown us…don’t settle for the usual.

    Nice job and great pics!


  23. Virginia Wolfe Says...

    On December 2, 2008 at 8:41 am

    very neat article. the pictures are wonderful and your comments on each are very funny! great work!


  24. Jen Says...

    On December 2, 2008 at 12:40 pm

    Nice photos and a nice spin on the ‘other side’ of things!


  25. Mary S Bithell Says...

    On December 2, 2008 at 6:09 pm

    Lol… Thank you… It was actually kind of interesting! Lol…


  26. Karen Gross Says...

    On December 2, 2008 at 10:27 pm

    Very unusual choice of topic – what we would call the north end of a goose flying south. Thank you so much for not including any plumber’s crack.


  27. Bek Says...

    On December 3, 2008 at 3:43 pm

    OMG!!! I thought you were talking about getting over the fear of photography. You are a very talented, humorous, and mildly sarcastic individual! I loved it, and it made me laugh. Keep up the great work!


  28. tutor1235 Says...

    On December 3, 2008 at 3:47 pm

    What creativity!! I loved it.


  29. JK Kristie Says...

    On December 4, 2008 at 3:43 am

    A breath of fresh air. Fun and cute ;)


  30. rodan rodere Says...

    On December 4, 2008 at 6:28 pm

    A very witty and entertaining piece of work.


  31. Jeff Johnson Says...

    On December 28, 2008 at 3:52 pm

    Great minds think alike. Check out our African Animal Butts 2009 calendar at Lulu.com.
    It’s for raising funds to support projects in Kenya that benefit kids orphaned by AIDS.


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