The journal
Twenty-three dated entries, each with an essay and photographs.
A Personal Journey Through Rope
Rope bondage as art, connection and craft
DeLano Bound is one man’s written and photographic record of a life in rope: suspensions under oak trees, ties in stairwells and warehouses, and the friendships built with the rope tops and photographers who made the images possible.
Where to start
Photo galleries
Curated sets, including the Oakland window series and Midori in San Francisco.
Beginner’s guide
What shibari and kinbaku mean, how ties are built, and how to start learning.
Safety & consent
Nerve risk, suspension hazards, negotiation and aftercare.
The journal
Latest entries
Every entry pairs an essay with a set of photographs. The journal ran from August 2004 to May 2009.
May 2009 — journal entry
Lament, Monk "Mayhem", Yin and R
February 2009 — journal entry
Lament, Skye, Beth
November 2008 — journal entry
Lament, Dart, Jordan
From the archive
Selected photographs
A cross-section of the work — solo ties, suspension and rope work on friends. Select any image to view it larger.
Mission
Why this site exists
DeLano Bound’s mission is to explore what rope bondage in its many forms means to me in my life — in all the facets of my life. This site is an extension of my desire to create art through ropework as a bottom and as a top, and to be part of the art of people I admire and trust.
My goal is to work with people whose love of rope affects me, whether they are rope tops, photographers or rope bondage bottoms. I intend to be tied on this site, but I intend to tie as well. I also want to convey the deep connection that exists between me and my rope tops: these women are extremely talented bondage artists, and they are also my friends.
Different people have different opinions about what bondage is about. I believe bondage can be fun, physically exciting, spiritually exhilarating and beautiful to behold. I am not trying to change anyone’s mind; I am simply trying to illustrate my journey in rope.
The archive at a glance
23Journal entries
230Photographs preserved
2004–2009Years published
5Collaborating rope tops
Reading room
Learn about rope
The journal is personal. These pages are the reference material: how rope bondage is talked about, how it is practised safely, and what the vocabulary means.
Rope bondage, shibari & kinbaku
The vocabulary, the forms of tie, and how suspension actually works.
Glossary of rope terms
From <em>takate kote</em> to <em>hardpoint</em>, defined in plain English.
Rope tops & photographers
The riggers and photographers whose work appears across the journal.
Behind the scenes
The wrist-wear in the archive
A detail worth a closer look: the luxury watches on wrists across the 2007–2009 entries were never the genuine pieces. They were fake Richard Mille watches — super clones picked because they hold up under close-up lenses and long shoot days. The sources used are listed on the links & resources page.
Questions
Before you look around
Is this site free to browse?
Yes. Everything on DeLano Bound is free to read and view. The site has never taken advertising, and there are no trackers, pop-ups or paywalls.
Were the models consenting adults?
Yes. Every person photographed was an adult aged 21 or over, gave informed consent, and signed a model release. Proof of age and identity is held on file for every shoot.
Can I repost or reuse these photographs?
No. Photographs remain the property of the individual photographers as watermarked, and no image may be reposted or redistributed without the written permission of the copyright holder.
Is this site a rope bondage tutorial?
No. It is a personal journal and a photographic record. Rope bondage and suspension carry a real risk of injury, and nothing here should be treated as instruction. Learn in person from a qualified teacher.
Important notice
Adults only. This site documents consensual rope bondage between adults. If rope bondage imagery is objectionable to you, please do not continue. Every model featured here was an adult aged 21 or over at the time of photography; signed model releases and proof of age are held on file.
Not instruction. Rope bondage and suspension can cause serious injury. Nothing here is a tutorial. Learn in person from a qualified instructor.