Anato, Rollei 35, and Madrid
When A Camera, A Woman, and A City Made History
Boudoir with Rollei 35TE Captured by Yuliya Panchenko.
A Story of Rebellion, Freedom, and Boudoir History Captured in Motion Picture Grain
In the narrow cobblestone alleys of Madrid, Yuliya Panchenko stepped into another challenge of Forbidden Frames: 100 Years of Recreated Boudoir Photography History. For this session, she was handed a petite powerhouse of a camera—the Rollei 35 TE, one of the smallest 35mm cameras ever made. Despite its minimal form, the camera offered no shortcuts. Manual focus, zone estimation, exposure settings located on the edges—everything required the kind of focus that only comes from true intention.
And then there was the film.
Boudoir with Rollei 35TE Captured by Yuliya Panchenko.
In a spontaneous, almost cinematic twist, Yuliya purchased the film from a street stand just outside a tiny local film lab called Contado Pierde, hidden in the winding streets of Madrid. The roll was unbranded, hand-spooled into a reused cartridge, and later confirmed to be a 35mm motion picture film, likely expired or repurposed. It was a gamble. But for Yuliya, it was also an act of trust—in the analog, in instinct, in the street.
Despite the low-light environment and the finicky focus zone limitations of the Rollei TE, the session blossomed into one of Yuliya's personal favorites. The rich dynamic range of the mystery film, paired with the Zeiss 40mm lens's legendary sharpness, delivered deeply emotional and intimate low-key images. The underexposure—an artistic risk—actually helped preserve the shadows and drama she was chasing.
This was not just a shoot. This was a moment of rebellion, sensuality, and cinematic poetry.
Boudoir with Rollei 35TE Captured by Yuliya Panchenko.
Boudoir with Rollei 35TE Captured by Yuliya Panchenko.
About the Camera: Rollei 35 TE
Manufactured briefly between 1979 and 1981, the Rollei 35 TE stands as a mechanical marvel in the analog world. Designed by Heinz Waaske, its compact build challenged the conventions of 35mm photography. While small in stature, the TE model carried a big name lens—the Carl Zeiss Tessar 40mm f/3.5, famous for its punchy contrast and tack-sharp rendering.
Unlike typical 35mm cameras, the Rollei 35 TE loads film from right to left, a quirk that surprises even seasoned photographers. Though it features an electronic light meter, all functions remain manual—making it a true photographer’s camera.
Its biggest challenge? Focusing. There’s no rangefinder or split-prism; zone focus is the only path. Estimating distance and aperture in fast-paced, changing environments is an art form in itself.
Still, this tiny titan proved its worth in the historic streets of Madrid.
Yuliya Panchenko and her Model, Anato on the Bed Holding a Rollei 35TE
Boudoir with Rollei 35TE Captured by Yuliya Panchenko.
Boudoir with Rollei 35TE Captured by Yuliya Panchenko.
Anato: The Flame Behind the Frame
This episode marked a very special collaboration. The subject was Anato, a Romanian model and fellow film photographer whose presence carries both elegance and defiance. Known for her emotive nudes and striking boudoir work, Anato embodies the spirit of Forbidden Frames—fierce, unfiltered, and fearless.
In a bold, unscripted moment caught on film, Anato revealed her breast under the shower, symbolizing more than just vulnerability—it was a declaration of freedom. A middle finger to censorship, to shame, to control. It was a powerful act of feminine rebellion, made even more intimate by the grainy, almost haunting texture of the motion picture film. It reminded us all that boudoir isn’t about seduction—it’s about reclamation.
As both muse and maker, Anato brought depth to the shoot, often advising Yuliya on metering and exposure—proof that this was a collaboration of artists, not just a photographer and model.
Boudoir with Rollei 35TE Captured by Yuliya Panchenko.
Boudoir with Rollei 35TE Captured by Yuliya Panchenko.
Boudoir with Rollei 35TE Captured by Yuliya Panchenko.
The Challenge of Zone Focusing
One of the unique challenges Yuliya faced during this session was working with the zone focusing system of the Rollei 35 TE. Unlike modern autofocus cameras or even rangefinders with split-prism aids, the Rollei demanded that photographers estimate the distance to their subject and manually set the focus based on pre-marked zones. There was no way to verify sharpness through the viewfinder—only experience, instinct, and a bit of luck could guide the photographer’s hand. With Anato constantly moving between light and shadow, and the shallow depth of field created by the 40mm Zeiss Tessar lens wide open, achieving critical focus became a true test of skill. Yet, it was this very limitation that breathed authenticity into the images: each frame feels alive, imperfect, and beautifully human.
Boudoir with Rollei 35TE Captured by Yuliya Panchenko.
A Shout-Out to Madrid's Hidden Gem
We can't close this chapter without mentioning Contado Pierde, the unassuming but soulful film lab tucked inside Madrid’s old quarter. This tiny shop, brimming with analog energy, sold Yuliya the film that ultimately transformed this session into a visual triumph. It’s spaces like these—quiet, gritty, creative—that keep the spirit of film photography alive.
Their roll of mystery motion picture film may have come without a name, but it delivered a legacy.
Contado Pierde film photo lab in Madrid
Boudoir with Rollei 35TE Captured by Yuliya Panchenko.
Conclusion
With the Rollei 35 TE and a nameless film from the heart of Madrid, Yuliya Panchenko turned a difficult challenge into one of the most emotionally powerful and aesthetically stunning episodes of the series. From the tight grip of technical limitations came a freeing vision, one that now lives forever in Forbidden Frames.
This was more than a success. It was an anthem of analog artistry.
And most importantly, Yuliya Panchenko captured the history of boudoir with the Rollei 35 TE, proving once again that even the smallest camera can leave the biggest mark in photographic history.
Stay tuned for the behind-the-scenes footage on BIB TV, and don't forget—believe in boudoir.
Boudoir with Rollei 35TE Captured by Yuliya Panchenko.
