Thursday, August 20, 2015

Favorite Pic of the Day for August 21st

Above:
Siemesedream by Finexposure
-See More Below-

Happy Birthday today August 21st


Happy 54th to Mitchell Anderson, the the main reason I checked out Doogie Howser M.D.

Check out more of Mitchell HERE:
& More of today's Birthday's HERE: HERE: & yes, even HERE:

A Vintage Vantage

70's underwear ads were truly the best. Not sure what the message was here, but except for the hot guy in the tiny yellow briefs, the rest of underwear is rather scary.

Tyler Dårlig Ulv: Undressed For Success


'Most of my pants were so tight to begin with that they split at the first hint of a butt, and I tore through the rest as my body got ever so slightly larger over the last year or so. Long story short, there is too much booty in the pants, etc etc. I was forced to go suit shopping.'


One of my favorite men to profile last month, (Solitary Creature) was model and more, Tyler Dårlig Ulv. Tyler is not only absolutely scrumptious, is also insightful, interesting and full of stories. In my feature last month, I liked to Tyler's blog, an intimate look inside his life and world. In addition to Tyler's tantalizing tales about his work, there are entries that span from the frivolous and fun through the more serious and personal. One of my favorite entires, was Fifty Nine, Tyler's account of needing to buy a suit for an upcoming wedding. I to had to purchase a new suit with two weddings to attend in August and I was shocked at how expensive they have become since my last purchase a few years ago. Given most of the images I used for the first piece didn't include much clothing, Tyler's accompanying visuals for the blog post only added to the enjoyment and proved he looks just as stunning fully dressed!



Hold Still: Siemesedream by Finexposure


'Some may shock, some amuse, but hopefully all will cause you to celebrate the beauty of the male body.'


The statement above, from photographer Allen Beauvisage is on the front page of his site Finexposure welcoming viewers in to enjoy his work. When I first profiled Allen's work last month, (Preferential Treatment) and his images of Amadeus, I was struck by how authentic Allen was, both with his images, and his attitude towards his passion for photography and the male form.


I remember in my first few years working on FH, when I was often greeted by photographers and models who welcomed appreciation and respectful compliments about their imagery, but seemed sort of uncomfortable acknowledging that people actually enjoyed it. It was as if there was a belief that their nudes of the male form couldn't be considered art if they actually brought joy to the viewer.


We all know the truth is art is subjective and to me if it it doesn't bring joy, what's the point, for either the viewer, or the artist behind the camera. Allen's passion is the male form, especially the energy and beauty he captures of the black male form. When I am choosing work to feature on FH, one of the things I look for is depictions that bring about new and unique ways of looking at, and enjoying the male form. With Allen's work, I think one of the things I love best, is his ability to freeze.


Frequently when I am describing a photographer's work, I will use the term moment of movement. This to me, describes artists who are able to capture a model mid movement. Although the image captures but a split second, it holds the energy of the entire movement of the body. If you look at the image from New Manhattan Studio's that I used as pic of the day on August 8th, you will see dancer Luca flying in the air. Although the image captured just one split second, the energy of Luca's entire leap into the air is felt within the image.


So many of Allen's images don't necessarily capture a moment of movement, but a suspended moment as if his models have been frozen in mid pose. This style of capturing the male nude is reminiscent of some of the classic Greek and Roman sculptures such as The Thinker, The Discus Thrower and of course Michelangelo's David. In the first feature, Amadeus was capture stoic and still and although Siemesedream expresses a wider degree of expression, he still maintains a beautiful stillness, no matter how complicated and difficult his body positions are.


It is clear some of Siemesedream's poses require great flexibility of movement, something his experience as a Personal Trainer no doubt assisted with. Allen skilfully managed to still freeze these moments clearly and cleanly with minimal distraction. The viewer's focus is on Siemansdrean's sculpted form, particularly the way Allen highlights his strength, muscles and body definition.


Holding still for the camera is not easy, it takes great concentration and physical discipline. Both are attributes 31 year old Siemesedream practiced during his time in the U.S. Military and during his time in Afghanistan. The American personal trainer and model settled in Germany after his service concluded and modelled for Allen while taking an exam in the UK. I love Siemesedream's presence in front of the camera, especially how his strong and impressive physique is softened by his face and beautiful and expressive eyes.


'I am increasingly producing pictures in black and white as I think these show even better the shape and form of the models, and show the effect of light and shade much better.'


I deliberately only chose images for this piece of Siemesedream wearing... well absolutely nothing! I thought they fit well with the theme of the piece. If you want to see additional images of Siemesedream, this time wearing a little bit more (well, socks anyway) check out more of Allen's images on the FH Over-Flow HERE: