The Finger

And The F-Word.

Fuck.
It’s a word that can burn, defy, empower, and play.
One syllable. A thousand uses.
Here’s just a few:

Fuck this.
Fuck yeah.
Fuck off.
Fuck it.
Fuck me.
Fuck you.
I don’t give a fuck.
That was fucking beautiful.
What the fuck.
Who the fuck cares.

And then, there’s the silent one—
The finger.
The gesture that says it all without needing to say a thing.

I love the word fuck. I’m not afraid of it. I don’t see it as vulgar—it’s expressive, and sometimes? It’s even sexy. The only English class I remember from college was the one where we explored every connotation of fuck. It was brilliant. And fun.

It often slides into my photo shoots. I’ve shouted “This is fucking it!” the moment I knew I got the shot. And whoever I’m photographing, especially women—it often happens naturally. The finger goes up, the smirk comes out. Sometimes it’s spontaneous. Sometimes it’s intentional. But always—it’s real.

It’s fierce. It’s sassy. It’s a release. It reclaims their voice.

Historically, women haven’t been allowed to take up that kind of space. Flipping the bird, as a woman, is deeper rebellion. It defies all the rules of politeness, control, and submission. It’s a visual scream against “be nice, be pretty, be quiet.”

For me, incorporating it into my work is natural—my lens is woman-forward. It's about seeing women as whole: fierce, bold, complicated, unfiltered. My photography elevates them—celebrating their strength, giving them voice, and honouring freedom of expression.

As an artist, this is my revolt against censorship—against the quiet policing of our bodies, our stories, and our power. Certain images of mine have been removed from social media for being labelled “inappropriate,” when they are simply art. Art that refuses to shrink. Art that confronts, questions, and evokes.

And honestly? My experience on other platforms has made me a little tentative here on Substack.

But you know what?

Fuck that.

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Up Next: Get ready for a bold re-imagining of an icon—Madonna. Expect a fusion of fierce rebellion, raw edginess, and striking black-and-white photography.

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Thank you to everyone who reads 'Behind the Lens'—whether subscriber, follower, or casual reader. Your support with a paid subscription helps to continue my photography projects - Woman, Di-vur’si-te and Animal Life. All images are under the copyright of Clee Images.