Elmer Batters

Nylon Double Take, Number 10
Editor: Elmer Batters
Press Arts Inc.
Canoga Park, California
1969

digital replica

When we visit the voluminous oeuvre Mr. Batters left us, it's clear that he made a career out of photographing his favorite objects — pretty legs in stockings. Whether he called his interest a fetish or an obsession matters little to those who appreciate and enjoy his unique and consistent point of view. Dressed and posed in accordance with his fantasy, legs functioned for him as the curvaceous emblems of a woman's femininity.

Mr. Batters must have been an excellent communicator, guiding his sweet ladies to work flexions that delivered what Mr. Sinerker dubbed “the Mobius architecture” of properly posed feet. Sheathed in sheer (not stretch) nylons, his photographs of ankles, insteps, arches and toes display voluptuous volumes, seductive shadows and precious tapers that identify the being facing the lens as female. In a few photos, models seem to misconstrue the photographer's focus, presenting torso or panties as if posing for conventional pin-up tastes.

In this issue, models usually wear panties, sometimes centered, sometimes askew. They obscure pubic anatomy, which must not distract from the limb lines that comprise the heart of the enterprise.

Cheerful models of varied sizes frame their curves in RHT and full-fashioned stockings. Garter belts may be plain or lacy.

A few of the 9 photo sets show shoes with short heels. A couple of models pose in and out of sneakers. Many feet are unshod.

Most photo shoots were accomplished outdoors, in rural environments, near remote roads or buildings, by a stream, on a boulder. Other sets show shapely flirts in living rooms. Adjacent blurbs name the model and describe her interest: television, stereophonic symphonies, letter-writing, books, ballet.

The ebook contains all content of the 80-page magazine in the original sequence, including two pages of Elmer Batters advertising. A few page layouts were revised. Some margins, borders, walls, floors, rocks, pavement and flora were excised.

Brightness, contrast and levels were adjusted, and shadows reduced. Many specks were re-touched. Most images transposed to ebook format with clarity.

All new scans.

One ebook, delivered by download from your 30th Street Graphics account.