Nude photography, a major issue at the Antiparos World Congress on Nude Beaches in 1986

During the First World Congress of June 16-19, 1986 a major issue put forward by some of the 30-plus delegates was the nude photography one and especially the liberal use of camers on the beach.

Leif Heilberg (1932-2019), a well-known American naturist photojournalist, presented his stand on photojournalism but there was abuse of such photography during the three-day congress that brought about considerable outcry from free beachers; some of them were against and threatened few delegates (case of Robbert Broekstra 1938-1999 of Holland).

Beaches are public properties and usually are not fenced. They are open to the general pub;ic to practise nudism or not. Therefore, there can be no prohibitions in the use of cameras as such exist in naturist clubs. On the other hand, people have the right to refuse being photographed without their consent.

In the case of the Antiparos' nude beach formally designed by the local council there was certain hostility against cameras not only this year but even in the spring and summer of 1985 when Angelos C. Mimikopoulos spent some days on the beach. There has been a continuous suspicion of anyone carrying a camera, especially from volleyball players. It is true that journalists covering the event were not advised to not use their cameras. The owner of the Antiparos Camping did not wish them to take nude pictures inside his site though he had taken a permit from NTOG. Frequent visitors consider the nude beach their private property. Some understood that the owner wanted to extend his authority on the nude beach.

I still recollect the vivid discussion between sunbathers and their reaction against a Swedish lady that dared to take a picture of their game. Deen Chaterjee, represented India, criticized their conduct. Few attempted to verbally censored the poor lady.

Generally speaking I am concerned about this thorny issue and intolerance adopted by ill-behaved freebeachers. I do not personally think that people take pictures of fellow naturists and publish them in pseudo-naturist nagazines. In Greece, at the time, there were no porno magazines. Pictures are the best souvenirs from holidays and considered private ones.

We do no expect all freebeachers to adopt the Naturist Society's beach etiquette. If we attempt to enforce it everywhere, then it will be a kind of organization or at least supervision not necessarily needed by nude bathers.

At the unofficial nude beach of Ramnous in northeast Attica in the summer of 1985 frequent visitors noticed a youngster hiding in bushes and taking pictures for some time. Unfortunately, he was caught in the act and kindly requested to give up his film for inspection. The body exploitation in the Greek media scared most of the regulars, considering Ramnous a conservative bastion of naturism.

The nude beach photography is still a vital issue these days. Are naturists ready to protect themselves from the liberal use of camers? Or they are victims of the growing attitude on beaches. Are they able to adopt a strong position against intruders of their lifestyle or are passive viewers of this tendency?

Having above in mind, I had proposed to Lee Baxandall (1935-2008) to put some restrictions in photography during the meeting. He consented but practically reporters, mostly Greeks, came unexpectedly to the beach.

I hate seeing my pictures published in pseudo-naturist magazines. I do not consdier myself a prudish one but accept that human nakedness serves to instogate prurient insticts. Finally, nude beaches, even the tolerated ones, are in a way organized societies of like-minded people sharing a unique lifestyle. Besides, they have adopted their own regulations, breach of which leads to anarchy and misconduct.

Beach photography can be detrimental to our movement. If it is not used by the right people and for the right purpose. Uncontrolled photography may lead to the non-existence of such places in the near future. Don't forget that gawkers are ussually attracted by titillating pictures and descriptions in an unfavourable way.

Signed by Angelos C. Mimikopoulos