LeDor

My name is LeDor. I am a Photographer. I like things but not as much as you. Maybe I was just crazy, or maybe it was the 60s. Website http://ledorphoto.webs.com/ Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cest_ledor/

[ryburk]

cleopatra

[cest-ledor]

The Women, from Alleged Moral Ambiguity

©LeDor

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The Society, from Alleged Moral Ambiguity

©LeDor

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The Parents, from Alleged Moral Ambiguity

©LeDor

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The Crime, from Alleged Moral Ambiguity

©LeDor

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The Internet, from Alleged Moral Ambiguity

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The Self, from Alleged Moral Ambiguity

©LeDor

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Medicinal Science, from Alleged Moral Ambiguity

©LeDor

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Education, from Alleged Moral Ambiguity

©LeDor

[cest-ledor]

Alleged Moral Ambiguity

Alleged Moral Ambiguity reflects on a word that has a strong presence in society, ‘whore’. Whether it is being applied to a sex worker or not, it continues to be used to strip a woman of her dignity and power. This series aims to shift the sexual shaming that is carried with this word and to express that a woman’s sexuality is nothing to be shamed.

I chose the word ‘whore’, because of its obvious suitability and also because of its original meaning as a derogatory term for sex workers. In each diptych, ‘whore’ is being directed at, or applied to a woman who appears on display. She is not in control of how her sexuality is understood. In the second paired image she takes control of her pose and sexuality, transcending the word in a multitude of ways. I choose to show a woman who is taking charge of her identity and sexuality through a non-violent rebellion. Each diptych is representative of a different institution, group or entity within society that use this word. Included are: self, society, parents, education, men and women, the criminal justice system, the fashion and art worlds, the internet, and medicinal science. No one is left out, because no one is innocent of at least thinking it.

In my work, female empowerment is a recurring topic. Despite female celebrities and pop stars seemingly wearing and doing whatever they want, their reality is not shared with every woman, and they are also often the targets of slut shaming. Most women will experience slut-shaming at some point in their lives whether they hear this specific word or not. I try to give women agency when viewing photographs of them, albeit sexual or not, because by assuming that they do not have any, I am also stripping them of it. The sex industry is one of the oldest industries, but given its illegality and reputation it is one of the most difficult in which to work. I have always been, and will continue to be, an ally for sex workers and the movement towards legalization. My hope is that Alleged Moral Ambiguity will help demonstrate the importance of changing the way we see the word ‘whore’, as well as changing the way we react to the root cause of its use, female sexuality, and the people to whom it is most often attached.

[cest-ledor]

Auto-erotic asphyxiation photoshoots got me struggling to breathe.

[cest-ledor]

Brooklyn blizzard nights. @mollycarew

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Witchy queen credits @jonilouka

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See me

[cest-ledor]

I'm dressed like highschool me for this photoshoot and it's so creepy. Dear mid 2000's girl,what were we thinking?

[cest-ledor]

Two weeks!

[cest-ledor]

Always vibe