Throughout his life, Elmer Batters focused intently on capturing images of women’s legs and feet through a viewfinder.
Inspired by the classic Elvgren pin-up art from World War II, Elmer began his journey in photography during the late 1940s in sunny Los Angeles, California. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Batters was not fixated on breasts; his artistic vision started at the “tip of the toes” and extended up to the “top of the hose.”
Key features in an Elmer Batters photograph included the calf, a woman’s arched foot, flexible toes, and a well-rounded heel.
Initially, Batters would spend his days shooting and his nights printing. He submitted his leg-themed art to various magazines, but sadly, most mainstream “girlie” publications did not share his enthusiasm.
In the early 1960s, he ventured into self-publishing and unintentionally discovered his first publisher. Although 5,000 copies of “Man’s Favorite Pastime” were sold, Elmer saw minimal financial reward. This marked the beginning of a lengthy struggle with publishing and the establishment of his significant global following.
His passion for feet was undeniable, and he embraced it despite knowing that it was considered socially inappropriate and potentially abnormal. Like any true artist, he was compelled to channel his emotions through his work, and what resonated in Elmer’s pieces was a profound appreciation for feet.
Few adult “leg men” have not admired or documented a Batters photograph. During the 1960s and 1970s, he created works such as “Black Silk Stockings,” “Sheer Delight,” “Leg-O-Rama,” “Nylon Doubletake,” “Tip Top,” and “Thigh Noon,” all using his own photographic style.
Batters faced legal issues when charged with obscenity for publishing magazines like “Man’s Favorite Pastime” and “Black Silk Stockings.” Interestingly, the charges stemmed not from the models’ bare breasts but rather from their feet. As he recounted, “They claimed what I was doing with the stockinged feet was perverted. I asked them what exactly was perverted about it, and they couldn’t provide an answer. It only proves that feet are sexy, because if my foot images hadn’t affected them, they wouldn’t have pursued me.”
Among the various models he worked with, Batters had a particular fondness for a Rubenesque woman named Caruschka. Little is known about her life, but Batters was enchanted. Several of his photo shoots showcased the lovely Caruschka on a garden swing, featuring her dainty feet in classic foot-fetish “Andalusian-fan” poses, as well as highlighting her exquisite high arches and shapely calves.
In the 1970s, he returned to self-publishing, producing the now-iconic small magazine “Leg Art.”
Throughout these years, he grappled with censorship issues, legal battles, and financial difficulties until the tide of popular interest in pin-up photography shifted, leading magazine editors to seek more explicit portrayals of women’s anatomy…more gynecological imagery.The tease era had come to an end… Elmer decided to quit.
In 1981, however, he received an invitation to have his works republished in “Leg Show” Magazine. Thanks to the dedication of editor Dian Hanson, Batters’ fame surged even further.
No one has been able to replicate Elmer’s unique way of posing female feet. He often mentioned that he posed the models’ feet using only his own hands… truly, a genius at work.
Elmer experienced the culmination of his career achievements during the final two years of his life. With the release of his inaugural Taschen photo book, *From The Tip Of The Toes To The Top Of The Hose*, he finally gained recognition beyond the fetish community.
In his late 70s, Elmer’s health began to decline, as it inevitably does with age. Nevertheless, witnessing the completed volume was his most significant accomplishment. Time and again, he expressed that it felt like a dream, fulfilling a lifelong desire.
The anticipation surrounding the release of his second book filled Elmer with immense joy. He spoke with childlike excitement about his upcoming appearance on television in Germany and his rising popularity across Europe. His heart sank, however, when the doctor informed him that he could not travel internationally without undergoing open heart surgery, which was later canceled due to Elmer’s delicate health.
Still, Elmer maintained a positive outlook, believing his doctors would adjust his medication, and he felt better than he had in months. He envisioned carrying out new photo shoots for Leg Show, with an assistant to manage the lighting and position the models according to his direction. The artistry of foot posing would remain Elmer’s own skilled task. When I reached out for a follow-up, I discovered that my dear friend had passed away quietly in his sleep.
Regrettably, Elmer left us while preparations for this second volume were underway.
Elmer Batters was an artist in every possible way. His photographs have attained a classic status in an era dominated by pornography in films and online platforms.
Though he may have departed, his art will endure forever.
by Jeff Millins
