X

In love and shrink-wrapped (photos)

Japanese photographer cocoons couples in plastic wrap normally used to store futon covers and then shoots their picture. It's hard not to stare at the captivating results.

Leslie Katz
Leslie Katz led a team that explored the intersection of tech and culture, plus all manner of awe-inspiring science, from space to AI and archaeology. When she's not smithing words, she's probably playing online word games, tending to her garden or referring to herself in the third person.
Leslie Katz
croppedminaemura.jpg
1 of 10 Photographer Hal

Vacuum-sealed: Mina and Emura

A Japanese artist who goes by the name of Photographer Hal seals couples in plastic normally used to store futon covers, then sucks the air out with a vacuum cleaner and snaps their portraits. "I am currently seeking new dimensions in portrait photography by challenging the majestic theme of mankind, defined through love," he writes on his Web site.
croppedichianderi.jpg
2 of 10 Photographer Hal

Vacuum-sealed: Ichi and Eri

Images from Photographer Hal's series, called "Flesh Love," are on display at the Wall Space Gallery in Santa Barbara, Calif., through January 29. The series is available as a book, and can soon be seen in an iPad app.
flesh2.jpg
3 of 10 Photographer Hal

Anie and Uesugi

Photographer Hal, who previously worked in advertising, maintains that persistence is key when recruiting "Flesh Love" subjects.

"When I see a couple of interest I will begin to negotiate," he says. "I'm sure that many people initially think of my proposal as unusual or even look through me like I am completely invisible, but I always push forward with my challenge to them."
croppedmamaandmayachin.jpg
4 of 10 Photographer Hal

Vacuum-sealed: Mama and Mayachin

Given that Photographer Hal finds most of his models in Tokyo's nightlife haunts, it's not surprising so many of them dress in hipster garb.
croppedcathalinsugimo.jpg
5 of 10 Photographer Hal

Vacuum-sealed: Cathalin and Sugimo

This couple, however, opted to do a plastic pas de deux in more traditional attire.
croppedringoandinga.jpg
6 of 10 Photographer Hal

Vacuum-sealed: Ringo and Inga

The pairs are bundled so tightly it can be hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. Though the subjects don't need to hold their breath for long (just 10 seconds), they'd probably best not be asphyxiation-phobic.
flesh1.jpg
7 of 10 Photographer Hal

Vacuum-sealed: Suzu and Miki

While the vacuum-sealed couples appear to exist in a world all their own, props are allowed into the packages. Photographer Hal shoots with a Pentax 645D dSLR and touches up in Adobe Photoshop CS3.
AliceKazuya.jpg
8 of 10 Photographer Hal

Vacuum-sealed: Alice and Kazuya

The portraits in the "Flesh Love" series convey a range of moods. This one of Alice and Kazuya has a rather tender feel.
croppedflesh3.jpg
9 of 10 Photographer Hal

Vacuum-sealed: Maico and Lime

The models in Photographer Hal's series have included musicians, dancers, strippers, laborers, photographers, and businessmen and women, both employed and unemployed. He has photographed almost 80 couples, gay and straight and of various ages and ethnic backgrounds.
cropped035andryo.jpg
10 of 10 Photographer Hal

Vacuum-sealed: #035_C and Ryo

As intensely personal as Photographer Hal's portraits are, he also intends to make a political statement: "Those in power are continually guilty of segregation and discrimination, can we realize peace under such conditions? You who are standing on the earth, no matter where you are, love the person in front of you. From two people to a group, a town to a community, a city to a country, from border to border, the ring of love shall prevail."

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos