| June 9, 1998
This was a story I had looked forward to covering: The Miss Exotic
World contest - a "dance" contest for strippers of all
stripes. Big, small, fat, thin, old, older and really old and
a few young ones.
This is a big deal to everyone OUT of the area. The local media
hasn't paid much attention to the annual event, but national and
international press show up in droves.
Dixie Evans, the ex-stripper that is the owner of the Exotic
Museum - a museum for strippers and their art - is a friend of
a friend. My friend had been asking, begging me to go out to the
museum for ages to takes pics and do a story because our papers
just hadn't done much for whatever reasons.
So when the contest came up I talked an assignment out of my
editor. I had not been out to this place so thought this would
be great fun and something diffferent.
Well different it was. I had not a lot of time to spend so shot
the heck out of the dancers I saw, talked with Ms. Evans a bit
and then split. I was appalled at the lack of taste that some
of my photog peers showed. A few crowded around the stage, blocking
the view of the rest and one guy was shooting a woman's crotch
with a WIDE angle lens REALLY close- well, this ain't art in my
opinion.
But I digress. Back at the office I was pleased with my images,
the ones to run tasteful but showing the event. I filed four of
them thinking that two would probably run. I told the paginator
my faves and left. One of the shots showed a hefty woman with
a translucent shawl and a couple of guys ogling her. A very funny
pic. Only problem was that the crease between her buttocks showed
more than just slightly. I was sure the paper wouldn't run it.
But unbeknownst to me, another photog "dodged" the shot
and voila, the crease disappeared. ( I hit the roof later but
that's another story.) And the shot ran....all four shots ran.
Other than the crease problem I thought the package looked pretty
good. Well, Ms. Evans had a WAY different opinion. She called
me and thoroughly trashed me for running the pics I did, especially
the hefty lady and oglers. One thing led to another and I had
had enough. I told her to call my editor. Just what he needed.
Heck, I had to convince him to cover the event in the first place
and now an angry old bleached blonde was in his office giving
him sh*t! I was irritated to say the least.
I had written a nice little piece, did the tasteful art and I
had to put up with ca-ca. Life is not fair. At least I didn't
get in anyone's private parts for close-up photography!
June 9, 1998
Lara Hartley
click to see additional
photos
|
Burlesque dancers from exotic
and not so exotic locations bared it all under a blazing sun at
the Miss Exotic World contest in Helendale. Saturday's event drew
media coverage from the national and international press. The
dancers came in a variety of shapes, sizes and ages; all competing
for the coveted award. The annual event was held at the Exotic
World Museum in Helendale and was well attended by devotees of
quality strip-tease dancing.
© 1998 Lara Hartley
A Klingon was one of the
crowd pleasers.
© 1998 Lara Hartley
This is the image that was
altered without my knowing it.
© 1998 Lara Hartley
Dancers like the Blond Bombshell
delighted the crowd with their dance interpretations.
© 1998 Lara Hartley
click to see additional
photos
|
