Photography has been an interest of mine since I was a small boy, but I was far too involved in competitive sports to spend any real time with photography until several years ago.  I had learned the basics about film B&W film development and darkroom printing from a friend and neighbor many years ago, but for the most part I have been self-taught.  My first experience with off-camera and strobe lighting was through being a model for some photography students. I had also once modeled for a Calendar “The Men of Boathouse Row” and recall being fascinated with the old Rolleiflex TLR camera the professional photographer used in the shoot with me.  This inspired me to purchase a couple old Leicas and eventually also my own Rolleiflex TLR. Today I still use my old Leica and Rollei cameras along with 1980s generation Canon F1n SLR for most of my work.  I like the freedom and creativity of working with fully manual cameras, even if on occasion that includes the freedom to screw up. 

            Although I do shoot with film, I have begun to experiment with the back end of digital photography. By that I mean that has recorded using a computer to enhance an image after it on film. I am leaning towards shooting my color work on film, but printing all work digitally.  With my black & white photography I have no plans to abandon the traditional wet darkroom in the foreseeable future. On occasion, I will retouch or enhance a black & white image I have scanned before posting it on web site like this one.  However, for the most part the images presented herein are representative of what my actual fine art prints.

            I became interested in Chicago’s fetish scene several years ago after attending bondage theme party at the old “Dome Room”.   I specifically sought out models for fetish images for an exhibition held at Feitico Gallery in May 2002.  My photographic interests extend well beyond the fetish world and I have shot everything from edgy fashion to breathtaking landscape images. For me, an erotic image must contain some sense of mystery or even pose questions to the viewer. For this reason my fetish images tend not to be as graphic as some found in the genre.

            The name Geoffrey Transu is compilation of my actual surname and the Maiden name of my Great Grandmother on my Mother’s side of the family tree. My other interests include running, cycling, cross-country skiing, dancing Argentine Tango (a fetish of sorts), language (I speak fluent German and converse in French and Italian) and traveling in Europe.   A few of my other accomplishments include: winning the Missouri High School State wrestling championship and being named the Wrestler of the Year for large schools in Missouri; being selected Captain of the Penn State University Wrestling Team as well as qualifying for the NCAA Championships;  finishing 4^th in light weight single scull at the US rowing championships in 1986; skiing and finishing the American Birkebeiner 52km Ski marathon in 2:42 in 1996 and running the Chicago Marathon in a time of 2:52 in 1997.

geoff@phototransu.com