Use of Narrated Photospreads (Captioned Sets)
In the early days of erotic photography, magazines like Playboy were known for their revealing images of nude models. However, later publications such as Cheri introduced a new style of erotic photography called "narrated photo spreads" or "captioned sets." These spreads consisted of multiple images that told a story, each one accompanied by a brief caption that guided the reader through the scenario being depicted. This approach allowed readers to imagine themselves in the scenarios and added an element of fantasy to the experience.
The technique was pioneered by French photographers and became popular in European magazines such as Lui and Penthouse Forum. American magazines quickly followed suit, introducing similar features in titles such as Club, Oui, Gallery, and Hustler. The trend continued into the late 1980s and early 1990s, with magazines such as Playgirl and Swank featuring these types of spreads.
The narrative approach differentiated Cheri from other erotic publications because it was less anonymous than other magazines. Instead of simply showing nude women posing, Cheri's stories placed readers in the middle of the action, creating a more intimate connection between viewer and subject. The use of short, literary-style captions made the photos feel more engaging and created a sense of emotional attachment.
While some critics felt that this approach took away from the artistic merit of the photography itself, others praised its ability to create a deeper level of emotional engagement. By telling a story through pictures, the magazine encouraged viewers to immerse themselves in the fantasy world presented on the page. It also challenged traditional notions of what constituted good taste and propriety, pushing boundaries in terms of sexuality and gender roles.
Despite its controversial nature, narrated photo spreads remained a fixture in many adult magazines for decades. Today, they are still used occasionally but have been largely replaced by simpler layouts that emphasize the visual aspect of the images over their narrative qualities. However, the legacy of Cheri and other pioneering magazines remains significant, serving as an important milestone in the evolution of erotic photography and its impact on popular culture.