The Pentax Asahi Incident
A Skirt, a Camera, and a Breeze
Yuliya Panchenko Captured by a Marina Siahaan with Pantex Asahi in Zürich, 2024.
There’s a rumor swirling through the cobbled corridors of Zurich—and it’s not about Swiss watches or secret bank accounts. No, this one involves film cameras, a mischievous gust of wind, and a split-second moment that may or may not have left a lasting impression on Bahnhofstrasse.
During the latest chapter of Forbidden Frames: 100 Years of Recreated Boudoir Photography History, Yuliya Panchenko stepped out from behind the lens and into the frame. Clad in a polka-dot skirt, armed with a Rolleiflex SL35, she wandered the damp, cinematic streets of Zurich. At her side: Marina Siahaan, boudoir ambassador, photographer, and a first-time film shooter, who took on the challenge of capturing Yuliya—using a mysterious, untested Pentax Asahi 35mm camera, freshly acquired during a prior episode in Madrid.
But this wasn’t just a photoshoot. This was a dare. A visual gamble. Two untested analog cameras. One moody cityscape. And zero safety nets.
Marina Siahaan Captured by a Yuliya Panchenko with Pantex Asahi in Zürich, 2024.
A Moment Caught in the Wind
As Marina adjusted to the unfamiliar mechanics of the Pentax, the universe conspired to add its own flair to the composition. A rogue breeze—innocent or theatrical?—lifted Yuliya’s skirt mid-frame, flashing Zurich a cheeky glimpse of boudoir defiance.
A flash of skin. A flash of shutter. The line between accident and art dissolved. Was it staged? Spontaneous? Intentional or instinctual?
Even the negatives won’t confess.
This delightfully awkward, almost poetic moment reminded both photographers of something essential: that true photography happens when control gives way to surprise. Marina, used to sculpting light in studio boudoir sets, found herself navigating the chaos of street photography—and loving it. From hesitation to inspiration, she documented Yuliya not just as a subject, but as a force of spontaneity in motion.
Yuliya Panchenko Captured by a Marina Siahaan with Pantex Asahi in Zürich, 2024.
About the Pentax Asahi 35mm Camera
The Pentax Asahi, often associated with the famed Spotmatic series, is a 35mm SLR camera produced by Asahi Optical Co., Ltd. in Japan. Revered for its mechanical precision and solid build, it was one of the first widely successful cameras to feature TTL (Through-The-Lens) metering, a game-changer in the 1960s photography world.
It uses the M42 screw-mount lenses, including the sought-after Super-Takumar glass, praised for its dreamy rendering and smooth bokeh. Built for manual shooters who appreciate tactile focus and total control, the Pentax Asahi is not just a camera—it’s an analog instrument designed for those who trust their eye more than their screen.
Though never guaranteed to work after decades of rest, the camera in Marina’s hands performed with poetic precision, capturing moments even digital would envy.
Yuliya Panchenko Captured by a Marina Siahaan with Pantex Asahi in Zürich, 2024.
A Challenge Beyond Boudoir
For both artists, this Zurich session was less about perfection and more about rediscovery. Finding subject matter outside the comfort zone of studio nudes was the real challenge—one that pushed Marina’s instincts beyond poses and lighting setups. At first, she wandered unsure what to capture. But once the wind whispered its narrative, she saw the city, the subject, and the story in a new light.
The cameras, expected to misfire, delivered hauntingly beautiful frames.
Yuliya Panchenko Captured by a Marina Siahaan with Pantex Asahi in Zürich, 2024.
What Happens Next?
The full Pentax Asahi episode of Forbidden Frames will premiere in Season 2—but until then, these images are your sneak peek into the unpredictable magic of analog.
Remember, Forbidden Frames isn’t just a photography project—it’s a daring mission to revive a century of lost boudoir history. Every episode features bold, artistic, and often nude photo sessions captured with authentic analog film cameras from 1900 to 2000. Each camera holds a story, and each photo challenges today’s digital norms by embracing the imperfect, the vulnerable, and the sensual.
The Pentax Asahi episode will be no exception. This won’t just be a casual city stroll caught on film—it will evolve into another bold photographic session in the spirit of historical boudoir, pushing creative boundaries while honoring the intimate aesthetics of past decades.
So stay curious. The most revealing shots may still be locked in the film rolls.
Yuliya Panchenko Captured by a Marina Siahaan with Pantex Asahi in Zürich, 2024.
So we ask you:
Did Yuliya flash Zurich… or did Zurich just happen to be watching?
In Lisbon, it wasn’t an accident—it was a statement. A calculated, cheeky act of liberation caught boldly on film. A polka-dotted protest against silence.
But what about Zurich?
Was this another chapter in Yuliya’s growing visual manifesto? Or just an innocent gust of wind caught mid-frame?
A deliberate echo of Lisbon’s fearless moment—or a fleeting slip the city won’t forget?
Scroll through the photos.
Accident or art? Rebellion or randomness?
Let us know what you think in the comments below.
