What follows below is an interview with Danni Rose from the begining of 2007. There was some sort of problem with where it was supposed to be published and after a few months it seemed due to be printed elsewhere. Consequently, I rewrote parts of it to fit in with what was going on at the time, but again it failed to surface.

It's been thus in limbo for a while now and having recently discussed it's future with Danni, I have decided to place it here rather than have it never see the light of day...or I will forever be updating this as circumstances changes...for example, when originally written I was shooting exclusivly on film though now find myself working more and more with digital.

So that's that - I hope that this is an interesting read for people interested in what I do.

Your website is named 'Disappointed Virginity', why? What was the inspiration for that name?

It is a term I read in a novel called "Hallucinating Foucault" by Patricia Duncker. It stuck with me, caught in my mind and wouldn't go away - a beautifully haunting term. I wrote it in a note book and pondered over it for a while - then I needed to buy a web address, to christen my work, something to reflect my images and it sprung to mind.

It does amuse me to read the various meanings people have ascribed to the term and tried to interpret it via my art; especially when trying to hammer a square peg into a round hole by claiming it is some admonishment of female chastity, when in fact it refers to a homosexual encounter (or lack thereof) between two men.

Do you feel that the name is still a good reflection for your work?

Yes - it is a term ambiguous enough to convey nothing yet evoke a certain mood. It has become a happy ball and chain for me as when shooting a "disappointedvirginity" image i have a certain set of rules that i must adhere to and i enjoy the challenge of making my ideas function within the framework i have chosen for my photos.

How would you describe your photography?

I like to think that there is a detached oddness to what I do. I try to put a lot into what my work and so pack photos with little meanings and messages that no one will ever pick up on or probably even notice, but i like being awkward like that.

I certainly wouldn't recommend working with myself to a model that wants to be made to look beautiful and often I concern myself with corrupting commonly held notions of the erotic. This has resulted in the occasional accusation of misogyny, but to suggest this of my work means that you really haven't "got the joke". So there is humour there, there is my own warped view of beauty and there is also a sadness at the impossibility of it all.

There are also lots of bare breasts.

You're becoming known for pushing the boundaries and creating some deeply thought provoking and beautiful images. Many people find your work to be highly erotic, what are your thoughts on this?

I was quite startled the first time I received a mail to tell me that someone had found my images erotic. I mean, it's nice and all - but in a way was never really the point - as dumb as that may sound, I was just taking the photos for myself so didn't really have an audience in mind.

Nothing much has changed, I photograph ideas and scenes that interest me and, yes, of course, also what I find erotic - so if people want to join in the fun then that's fine with me - though I actively discourage the use of my work for masturbatory purposes.

One if the things I find most flattering though is that the majority of "Fan Mail" I get is from women and it seems to be mainly men complaining or commenting about how disturbing and weird what I do is.

This probably says a lot for the imagination of the Y chromosome brigade.

What is your opinion of the erotic art versus porn debate?

It's interesting to watch the lines blurring more and more between the two, though I think that there is still an obvious difference between erotica and porn, largely that if the model is smiling and colourful, then it is probably porn - though if she isn't then it might just be erotica.

Some of my recent work has begun to explore the more explicit side of things, which attracted a few "Oh no, you are going to become all porno!" mails and comments. This I found....odd. Most erotic art alludes to the sexual act and therefore genetallia in someway, so why should we shy away from that? Genitals are like opinions, in as much as everybody has them - so let us not be afraid of vaginas when they decide to stop by and wave hello.

I have been reliably informed that they don't bite.

When did you first decide to get into photography? Has it always been a passion of yours?

There are two threads to this answer. Firstly I bought myself a cheap SLR (a Russian Zenit) when I found my first job, as part of the "Oh, I have money now - lets buy up all the shit that you get when you are a proper adult". At the same time I was involved with the industrial/underground music scene and had been interested in the "Cinema of Transgression" movement from the eighties.

One of the film makers from this scene, Richard Kern, released a book of erotic photos called "New York Girls" and I bought a copy for myself out of interest and flicking through that was probably the first time I considered erotica as a potential mens of expression. So I took some photos one night of the girl I was seeing at the time and having not really taken the whole thing seriously, I got the photos back and was quietly impressed with what I saw.

It remained on these terms for a few years, I would photograph girls I was seeing in a similar fashion, would occasionally approach people in bars or clubs about shooting, until eventually word got around that I was okay with a camera. I then started being approached by people, friend's girlfriends, acquaintances and so on, to photograph them. So about five years into this realised that I might be onto something and began being offered some paid assignments.

Thus an artistic vocation was stumbled upon and reluctantly pursued and it has only been within the last two years that this has become a proper on-going concern.

A happy accident - and I won't complain.

What did you first take a photograph of as a serious project?

One of the first photos I took with my first SLR, was at an exhibition of Czech animator Jan Svankmajer's work. I took a sneaky snap shot of two of the models/dolls/creatures from his "Neco z Alenky/Alice" which ended up being published as part of an article a friend of mine had written on Svankmajer.

Now this wasn't seen to be a serious project, but I consider it to be my first proper "achievement".

When did you first turn your camera towards the fetish/alternative scene? Why?

Oh, there was no conscious decision to do so - my choice of models was originally due to the people I knew and associated with, who happened to be of an alternative persuasion. Then like attracts like I suppose, so my work began to be noticed by more people in the alternative scene. I have no problem with this, but equally am not exclusive when it comes to my choice of models - I'm equally happy shooting with models from all walks of life, but due to the nature of my work it does tend to attract an alternative audience.

I don't feel aligned with the fetish scene at all though. Whilst I am happy to admit that, yes, there is a lot of rope bondage in my work and yes, there are occasionally other trappings from that area, I am as equally as likely to be using sea food, false limbs, wooden masks and stuffed animals in my photography...which isn't to say I have consciously turned my view towards the wonderful world of taxidermy or ocean based cuisine...just that I have a fairly broad net, cast wide with my imagination.

What photographers, if any, have been strong sources of inspiration to you? Are there any photographers who you consider to have raised the bar?

As I have said before Francesca Woodman and Nobyoshi Araki are both constant sources of inspiration. I'm not so sure about bar raising though, which with these two cases is probably because by the time I had reached an age to be aware of these artists they had already produced a fairly large bulk of their work (or in Woodman's case, had by then made her exit from this world via that New York window) so I almost took it for granted.

Are there any photographers that you would actually like to collaborate with in the future?

That's not something that really occurs to me and to be honest I don't really have much contact or knowledge of my contemporaries - but having said that, on a number of occasions I have exhibited my work with Ohio photographer and good pal, Marty Class.

What has been your most memorable photo shoot to date?

Oh Lord, we could be here for hours with that one - probably the shoot with Nina Kate of Jane Doe Latex that resulted in the "Birthday Girl" image which to this day remains one of my favourites. Having a mermaid breast feeding a large salmon which was wearing a child's dress is also pretty memorable.

Have you ever had any embarrassing moments during a shoot?

I don't think so. A few times I have been shooting with someone who tells me that they are unwilling to do nudity before proceedings commence, which begs the question "have you actually looked at my work at all and if so, why are you here?"

Occasionally a model can get a little flirtatious or over friendly mid shoot, but what with me being the consummate professional, that swiftly gets knocked on the head.

I did once shoot with a Korean girl, which is a rare opportunity in the UK. About half way through I realised that I seemed to be using a magic film in my camera that just wouldn't run out. Which is to say, I hadn't loaded the reel. Pretty embarrassing, but the sort of mistake you only make once.

You've worked with several well known and respected models in the industry, as well as many of the up-and-coming greats. Do you have any muses?

I've had a few and they know who they are. I don't generally shoot people repeatedly though - I think that four times is the most that I have ever shot with someone as I'm conscious to avoid repetition. It may be due to my own collection of photographic books, but I think that a variety of faces keeps things interesting and luckily enough I am in a position to have a good selection of people who want to work with me.

What is your relationship like with your models?

I keep in touch with quite a few and there have been friendships and relationships that have begun with a photoshoot.

Are there any models that you haven't yet had the chance to work with, that you would really like to?

Oh, defiantly - Eiko Koike and Yuko Matsugane. Sadly, neither of them do nudity though - but an undersize bikini always works wonders.

Do you find that your style of photography and your work in general, affects your relationships?

To begin with perhaps, but with my photography being so much a part of myself people generally know what they are getting into with me. I also seem to end up dating models who are oft to be found undressing for various fella's cameras - so it's a swings and round-a-bouts type thing. Causes arguments though as I am very particular in my photographic tastes and invariably don't like the photos that they get back. Then having to find ever more subtle ways of holding back my criticism..."That's a nice dress dear, oh have you done your hair differently there?" etc etc

How does it feel to be in such high demand?

Oh it's lovely. It is very flattering to have people all around the world wanting to work with me, but not overly practical, for example I had a mail from some guy in India last week, willing to pose topless for me - which is quite an offer.

A lot of people greatly admire your photography; some people even aspire to work at your standard, how does this make you feel?

I quite often get people writing to me asking for a job as an assistant. That's quite sweet, but I am just some guy with a few lights, some nice floorboards and a camera - this isn't an industry here at all. I'm also self taught and have yet to figure out all the intricacies of my camera, so would be intimidated by someone that could work it better than me...

Recently you have ventured into making short film segments, and the music to accompany them. Many of them are extremely haunting and beautiful, what made you decide to start doing these? Would you care to tell us a little more about it?

Well, apart from this whole photography thing I am also a musician of sorts. I have been doing soundtracks for the London Film Academy for a while so I thought it might be a fun experiment to film some of my photos "moving" and compose a soundtrack to match.

That was the genesis to these films, which have purely been put together as an experiment. Odd as it may sound, the first one was leaked to a message board - I put it online on a private page and mailed a few people asking what they thought...apparently they liked it so I put it on my site.

I'm now writing the script for my first "proper" short film - hopefully due mid 2007.

Do you shoot digital or film? What do you prefer?

I was always very proud of the fact that i shot exclusivly on film - though sadly, due to the cost and time constraints involved in shooting as much as I do I have now moved onto digital. There was also an element in me that was reluctant to move on to digital work as I had never found the results as satisfactory, but now that I have treated myself to a selection of nice lenses I am very happy with the results I get.

I do miss the grain that working on film provides, which is ironic as at the time the grain used to bug me somewhat. And yes, I could run my work through a grain filter in photoshop, but that would feel way too much like cheating.

How much computer retouching do you do? Do you find the process extremely time consuming?

No, the photos are run through a black and white conversion process and left at that. I would much rather spend my time producing a good photo than cutting corners and dicking around in photoshop.

What is your opinion on body modifications?

I don't really have one to be honest - I view body mods as not being that much more or less than different haircuts, painting your nails or applying make up. Each to their own, though I would add that possibly any more than six clitoral piercing is a tad excessive.

Do you have any body modifications yourself?

I do, but am afraid I'm unwilling to provide detailed diagrams to illustrate the point.

What is coming up for you in the future?

Probably a slow death brought on by my excessive drinking and smoking habits.

Do you have any personal fetishes?

I certainly do - most of which are on display for the world to see within my work.

Do you have any deviant stories that you would care to share with us?

I don't think so - I'm as pure as the driven snow, me. Either that or I don't want to shock my mother - you decide.

For those who don't know, what is Disappointed Virginity? When did you form it and do you have any plans to get more people involved?

Disappointed Virginity is a name I have chosen to signify a certain ascetic I am working towards and as such, apart from the people I photograph, I have no plans to include any one else's work within this.

It's not impossible that I will move on into different areas in the future though. There are plans afoot.

What are you most keen to incorporate into future projects?

Pregnancy and animal costumes - not necessarily simultaneously though. As mentioned also, I'm playing around with the idea of including more explicit images in what I do - but only as long as I can make it work without looking totally gratuitous.

Do you have any plans to travel around the world, working with different models as you go?

Ideally I would be in Japan at some time soon as it is almost impossible to find Oriental girls to work nude - which I find fascinating considering that J-Porn is the most extreme and, well, "inventive" in the world.

So much for modesty!

Currently you live in London, what is it about the scene in London that holds your interest?

I'm not in London for any particular reason and there is no scene that I particularly feel a part of. I'm basically a very lazy man, so thought it best to stay vaguely in the same part of the world that my parents had decided to fornicate in.

Where are your favorite haunts in London?

I alternate between low rent pubs to high maintenance cocktail bars. Keep them guessing, I say.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Well apart from the photography, I am involved in three bands. I am the vocalist with "Sleeping Pictures" and have another experimental music project "Lark Blames" with Lloyd James of Naevus. Both of these bands released albums on the Italian label "Old Europa Cafe" in 2006. I do also have my own solo project "These Papercuts" but haven't had time to work on much for that recently.

So the music and photography take up a lot of my time - I'm supposed to be playing some shows in Italy later this year, so I have rehearsals to contend with as well.

What was the last film that you watched? Was it any good?

I'm watching a lot of older Japanese black and white movies at the moment, researching for my own film work you might say. The last I saw was Suna No Onna/Woman of the Dunes - an adaptation of Kôbô Abe's novel. Was a very good movie, beautifully shot, achingly slow - not much going on CGI wise though, alas.

What movies would you recommend to people to check out?

Anything that cinematographer Christopher Doyle touches turns magically to gold, but if pushed for titles I would recommend Pen-Ek Ratanaruang's Last Life in the Universe or any of Wong Kar Wei's movies. Peter Greenaway's "A Zed and Two Noughts" has inspired me on many levels as well.

What was the last book that you read? Was it any good?

The last novel I read was Michel Houellebecq's "Whatever." It was good, but not in any way enjoyable. I have also been getting through Lafcaido Hearn's various studies on Japanese culture and folklore gleanings. Very interesting if you are into that sort of thing, which I am. Now I'm onto Richard Dawkins' "The God Delusion" which someone bought me for Christmas; an almost entirely fruitless exercise as I already agree with everything he says and sit there nodding earnestly as I read.

Are there any books that you would recommend for people?

"The Royal Family" by William T Vollman. It's an absolute beast of a novel and a huge undertaking to get through, but thoroughly rewarding. Vollman is an astonishing good author, one who makes me wish for selective forgetfulness so that I could have the "pleasure" of re-reading his work afresh.

Are there any artists whose work you greatly admire?

I collect a lot of Japanese idol/Gravue books - the photographers of which are largely nameless but I appreciate the almost entirely different way women are photographed within the genre. It goes without saying that Trevor Brown is a master of his trade and I am lucky enough to have a large signed print of his hanging on my wall. Hans Bellmer produced an incredible body of work which is worth studying and I'm also delighted to have recently struck up a correspondence with Romain Slocombe. His works confused the hell out of me when as an adolescent and for some reason now seem to make so much sense.

If you were me doing this interview, what question would you ask yourself and what would your answer be?

Q: Is Marc Blackie your real name and does it annoy you when people think you have assumed it as some attempt to appear "cool"?

A: Yes it is and it annoys me very much indeed.

What music do you like to rock out to?

I don't spend much of my time rocking out, though did make it along to see Acid Mother's Temple, Boris and Mono all of whom played in London during 2006. Not much head banging from me I'm afraid though. My favourite bands have remained constant for years though, as I guess I am stuck in my ways - Dream City Film Club, Arab Strap, Black Heart Procession, Tindersticks - with a healthy dose of otherwise-ness courtesy of the likes of Nurse With Wound, Coil, Zoviet France, Lustmord etc etc

What music do you like to fuck to?

Defiantly not Silver Mount. Zion or anything involving Michael Gira. Get's a bit intense, ruins the mood.

What five items would you hate to be without?

My useless mobile phone that I can never get any reception on - which is fine as no bastard ever calls me anyway, my collection of Satoru Tsuda bubblegum cards, my cat watch which has never worked, my plastic octopus back massager and my diary to note down ideas and scribble obcene drawings in.

Any last words?

Remember people, Marc is spelt with a "C" and not a "K" and Disappointed has one "S" and two "P"s. And no, I don't sleep with all of my models, my photographic work has not yet bought be a yacht and I don't ever want to appear on television again.