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Favorite Pic of the Day for November 1st
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Lived In: Nigel by Richard Rothstein
'I moved in on September 1 and hired an army of Task Rabbits to make it perfect fast.'
Usually when I'm showcasing the work of artist Richard Rothstein, the location is New York. The streets, the rivers, the architecture, archways and alley's. Richard is passionate about the city he lives in, and his pride and love for his sprawling metropolitan studio. Regardless of which stunning male model may be in focus, the city remains a scene stealing co-star.
Richard's love for home is easy to understand, especially given the past week. New York holds not only millions of people, it also in many ways holds the history and experiences of countless others, both present and past. Even before my first visit, New York was in my references, from movies, books and TV. No matter what was going on, from a personal experience to a holiday, it was usually accompanied by a New York visual.
If you have paid attention to my many stories focused on Richard's work, you know he seldom works inside, and when he does, it is with reluctance. Coaxing models to shoot naked when the wind chill is -10 is a daunting task and although I have seen shots that prove Richard has been successful, the winter months have called working inside, somewhere with a roof, a heating source, and walls and doors keeping the wind, snow and cold at bay.
Richard rose to the challenge finding some some great spaces. I have featured works interior work in warehouses, vacant buildings and apartments. Most are empty, void of furniture, plants and the personal touches you'd expect if someone was living there. For this shoot, the surrounding are more intimate and personal. On September 1st, for the first time in 27 years, Richard moved into a space, his new home.
'According to my friends, one customarily throws a housewarming party. Too late I learned that such an event involves multiple friends and acquaintances, pigs in a blanket, sushi, cheeses, wines, whiskey, vodka and perhaps a signature cocktail. As it turned out, this housewarming thing; I did it my way. I would note in my defense that I made Nigel breakfast, including freshly ground coffee.'
Some of you may remember Nigel from his previous appearance on FH. Nigel looks right at home hanging out in Richard's new space, lounging on his furniture and surrounding by Richard's belongings. Like all of Richard's images, the detail is immense and Nigel acts as a visual tour guide as he makes his way through each room.
When I first saw the shots, I couldn't believe that Richard had just moved in. It already looks like a home, as if he has lived their for years, even decades. Richard attributes that to his army of task rabbits, although my guess is they had supervisor who knew exactly where everything belonged.
As with his outside work when shooting the city, Richard's shots are brimming with detail, and my eye was drawn 'everywhere'. Starting with Nigel ad moving to the incredible outside window views. Then, to the knick knacks and artwork on the walls, the stacks of books already piled and overflowing from the shelves. I couldn't help but notice how similar Richard's new space was to the city on the other side of the windows. Busy, bustling, beautiful. Even Richard's line of piled up books looked like the skyline of a row of buildings along a busy New York street.
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Tripps & Treats
If there's a motto or lesson to this story, I guess it's to be careful checking your phone with just a towel on. Especially when there's a cat in da house...
Although Chandler Massey's return has me intrigued, I haven't had much time to visit Salem lately. But hearing that resident stud, the gorgeous Tripp, (Lucas Adams) was going to lose his towel, had me searching on-line to watch. Tripp grabbed his towel in record time, but by his sly smirk, didn't seem to mind the kitty getting a gander.
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Taran's Tukas
I still miss Taran Killam on Saturday Night Live. The decision to let he and Jay Pharoah go is still a head scratcher to me. Both were incredibly talented and adorable. Killam was also SNL's go to male cast member, playing almost every husband, boyfriend and male lead in a majority of the show's sketches.
As you can see from the three shots above, SNL did manage to get Killam out of clothing in many sketches, but this week, Killam shared a little more while promoting his new film Killing Gunther while on Conan O'brien. Killam shares he got quite close to co-star Arnold Schwarzenegger during the making of the film, so close, that he stripped down for a picture with a giant mylar balloon replica of Arnold.
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Happy Birthday today November 4th
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Favorite Pic of the Day for November 4th
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A Look Back at IT
Yes, I know Halloween is over, but I DVR'd the 1990 television adaptation of Stephen King's IT just before Halloween and only had time to finish it this weekend. I have yet to see the recent re-make, but I remember watching this version on TV when I was a kid when it originally aired. I remember it as terrifying, especially Tim Curry's portrayal of Pennywise. I was surprised how well the 2 part adaptation held up, mostly due to the power of the cast. Except for a few minutes of dated special effects, the movie was as scary as I remember.
IT is scary not because of what necessarily see, but due to the power of fear and how it knows exactly what's inside you that can bring it to live. I read a few reviews of this years film with critics who seemed disappointed to learn the clown was not so much a physical being terrifying the kids in Derry Maine, but a manifestation of the terror they were carrying inside. Each of the kids had their own demons to face, loss, abusive family members and school bully's they were facing. When the fear took over, Pennywise gained power and appeared in their living nightmares.
Cast
Bill: Richard Thomas | Jonathan Brandis
Richie: Harry Anderson |Seth Green
Eddie: Dennis Christopher | Adam Faraizl
Mike: Tim Reid | Marlon Taylor
Stanley: Richard Masur | Ben Heller
Ben: John Ritter | Brandon Crane
Beverly: Annette O'Toole | Emily Perkins
Pennywise: Tim Curry
Henry: Jared Blancard
Jonathan Brandis
Certainly one of the things that made IT so compelling was the cast. The performances, particularly from the young the cast, pull the story together. The coming together of a group of outsiders is a universal story and this group, led by the late Jonathan Brandis, is built on common experiences and pain. One by one, the group comes together, usually after an encounter with school bully Henry. (Jared Blancard). All the young cast is great and while some like Seth Green went on to steady work, others like the appealing Ben Heller, oddly have IT as their only IMDB credit. Ben does seem to be joining his former cast members in a new documentary, Pennywise: The Story of IT, currently in production.
Seth Green, Ben Heller & Adam Faraizl
The movie for me, became slightly less interesting when the focus in part II moved to the adults. Although the adult cast was a great assembly of popular television and film stars, their stories were not nearly as interesting as their younger versions. The exception for me was Tim Reid, an actor I only really knew from repeats of WKRP. His character Mike was the last one to join the group, and the one with the responsibility to tell them all, they needed to all return to Derry.
Jared Blancard
Although all of the adult actors were good, I think they were strongly supported by the back stories their younger versions had revealed. I also think King's core theme of fear is stronger with the stories the kids were given, as the adults had no mystery to really solve, only a mission. I have read the new film version chose to focus on the kids and look forward to comparing how they chose to tell the story.
Harry Anderson
I am also interested in watching the story as an adult, as I was about the same age as the child actors when I first saw the TV version. For me, fear was much more intense when I was a kid, very real and crippling. As an adult, fear is constant, something most adults have learned to accept as part of life, and most of us, have had to find a way to deal with. But... late at night, when sleep is out of reach, it feels very much the same as when we were a kid.
Stanley & Pennywise
Richard Masur at the closing of Part 1
Tim Reid
John Ritter
Dennis Patrick
Dennis above with Farrah Fawcett on stage at the Burt Reynolds dinner theatre in Butterflies are Free. Below in Nine Lives (2002)
Richard Thomas
Below: Thomas and Will Geer in a bloopers video from The Waltons
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Minor Details: Chris by MichaelR09
'Details Create the Big Picture.'
Sanford L Weill
It's continuously, and often frustrating to me, how many photographers ignore detail. So often, small things about a model, or a model's body are diminished or erased in the final editing process. Perfect skin, for some artists, is more important than a mole, or freckles, or the little imperfections which make a body unique. This is usually a shame, because it is these smaller details that not only make a model more visually interesting but often, add to their overall beauty and appeal.
MichaelR09 doesn't erase detail, just the opposite. If you have check out Michael's port on Model Mayhem, or check out my previous pieces featuring his work, (HERE:) you know he both respects and celebrates it. As an amateur photographer, Michael is often shooting while on the road and his images tell the stories of the people and places he has seen and visited. Without the details, the story couldn't possibly be complete, nor entirely truthful.
It was actually 'detail' that helped the Atlanta based photographer decide to reach out to Chris about a shoot. Michael was planning a visit to Denver and was looking for local models to shoot while he was there. One of the on-line profiles Michael was drawn to was Chris's.
There was a specific line that Chris had written on his profile which Michael especially liked. It read that'the little details of human anatomy are quite beautiful.' Like many of the men Michael has worked with, 22 year old Chris was still relatively new to modeling. For some models, this can sometimes indicate that there are still unique and eclectic physical details to be captured.
'Chris has a beautiful and friendly face that very accurately reflects his personality. He's a musician by trade and I think his artistic sensibility also made him a great subject.bIt was very easy to work with him even though he didn't have much modeling experience at the time. He was as comfortable nude as clothed, which I think shows up in the photos.'
I also love all the beautiful details Michael captured, those minor, and major details are one of the reasons I was eager to showcase his work with Chris. Chris's adorable smile, and friendly face were the beginning but also love every detail of his face and gorgeous body. Love the detailed pattern of chest hair, and the bare line that runs down his chest and stomach, the shape of his lips and those beautiful blue eyes.
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Back Stage
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Happy Birthday today November 6th
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Favorite Pic of the Day for November 6th
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As Simple As That: Dan Etna by Carl Proctor
'Dan loves the camera and the camera loves him. It’s as simple as that.'
One of the things that frequently draws me to a model, artist or shoot, is the degree of visual authenticity. Regardless of a models look, if they seem uncomfortable in front of the camera, if they appear awkward, or as if they don't really want to be there, it often ends ups showing up in the final images. For some models, it can be a struggle, but for others, it can be as simple and instinctive as photographer Carl Proctordescribes.
It is my believe that the camera loves models that love the camera back. Models who have a good sense of self, models who both know and are comfortable with their bodies, and how to move in front of the camera. Most of all, the camera loves models who enjoy the process and creative collaboration with the artist on the other side of the lens.
With just a quick glance at California model Dan Etna's Model Mayhem page you know Dan has worked with a variety of photographers, and their feedback is unanimous in their praise for how prepared and professionalism Dan is, his positive energy, and how natural he is in front of the camera.
Dan ended up in front of Atlanta photographer Carl Proctor's camera for a fitness themed shoot after being commissioned for project. Carl shares that everyone involved was more than pleased with the results! I love the beautiful lines and curves Dan creates with his lean, 6' 0" frame and the strong connection he makes with Carl's camera through his facial expressions and piercing brown eyes. I particularly love Carl added a pair of brown boots, to Dan's limited wardrobe of mostly underwear and jock straps. The look, and the poses captured, especially with Dan's natural body hair, creates a series of incredibly fun and sexy visuals!
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In Perspective: Beau Michael by JBDI Photography
A Morning spent with model Beau Michael, on the hottest day of the year...
JBDI Photography definitely captured the heat, something not hard to do when the subject in focus is the sizzling hot London model Beau Michael. Some of you may recognize Beau, and the brick arches he is posing under one of FH most popular features from last Autumn. (Ouse Valley Viaduct) Given the unique location, and the incredible shots captured, JBDI's Jon wanted to assemble the best images together for a new photo book, In Perspective.
'The Famous arches of the Balcombe (Ouse Valley) Viaduct in Sussex are a favoured location for many photographers, amateur and professional, resulting in a variety of images featuring female models posed artistically beneath the iconic Victorian structure, but with very few male nudes represented....'
Check out and preview more of In Perspective on Blurb, in both a Print Edition, HERE:
as well as an affordable e-book edition HERE:
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Bottom Shelf
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Happy Birthday today November 8th
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Favorite Pic of the Day for November 8th
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On The Rise: Jonah by MW Photo MD
'I just love being in front of a camera.'
The quote above was Jonah's answer when I asked him what it is about modeling that he loves. They say the key to success is finding something you're passionate about, and then just do it. Easier said than done for many, but for Jonah, modeling is his passion, and since first stepping in front of the camera, he's been busy working. As I write this, Jonah is actually just getting back from a world wind working trip to California to check out possible modeling and acting gigs.
Of course it helps when the camera also loves you back. When I first featured Jonah's Autumn themed images from Mark (MW Photo MD) just before Halloween, (Halloween Hotel) it was easy to see why. In addition to his tall lean body, Jonah has such beautiful facial features and expressive brown eyes that immediately draw the viewers focus.
When Mark met up with Jonah in Pittsburgh for their shoot, in addition to bringing along the pumpkin and Autumn leaves, he also brought along a guitar. Little did Mark know how well Jonah plays. Mark says Jonah brought life and music out of the guitar for the first time in awhile. Mark says that although he had tried to learn himself, he didn't really have the time to put into it, and the instrument had me sitting idle for awhile.
When shooting a model for the first time, it is always helpful to find something, a prop or a location to help form a connection. This often helps to begin the rhythm and flow, creating a relaxing environment, and a more natural feel in the final images. This is can be especially helpful when the shoot doesn't involve much clothing... Jonah didn't seem to have any reservations when Mark brought up shooting nudes, replying that he didn't see it as any big deal, that it was just like being in a locker room.
Jonah says that shooting nudes hasn't really an issue for him, even the first time. The 20 year model believes people should fell more free with their bodies and considers them gifts of art that we are all given. That doesn't mean Jonah wants to be seen strictly as a model who shoot nudes, he is looking to find a balance in his shoots, looks and themes that full represents both his look, as well as his skills and talents. One of his most shocking experiences working wasn't shooting nude, but it did involve shooting shirtless. It happened to be on a day when was freezing out, and Jonah shares that the cold temperatures and his lack of a shirt didn't make great combo!
'We clicked well during the shoot. I enjoyed the shoot very much and I wished we would have had more time to work together as the time went by fast. We have stayed in touch and I am looking forward and formulating ideas for our next meeting.'
Mark, MW PHOTO MD
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Michael Parks: Blast from the Past
Earlier this year, I save a image someone had posted on Twitter. The caption was R.I.P and the shot was of a naked man (duh) lying on the sand. I put it in my 'hold' folder, a folder I use to put images in that I don't really know that much about, but grab my attention. Last week, I finally used google image search to figure out who was in the image and learned it was actor Michael Parks who died earlier this year.
Parks was a successful actor who worked steadily on both Film and TV since the early 60's. The image I saw on Twitter was of Parks as Adam the 1966 John Houston film, The Bible: In The Beginning. In going through is IMDB page, it is clear I have seen Parks before, he was a regular on Twin Peaks, a show I watched as a teenager during it's original run. Parks also appeared in many recent projects, including multiple appearances in films from Kevin Smith and Quentin Tarantino.
It is always interesting to me to discover an actor that I have clearly seen in projects over the years, yet, never really noticed. Parks has such a memorable, and handsome face, and looks incredibly sexy as Adam and in older images that I found, I a sure if I saw him in something today...I would take notice!
The Bible: In The Beginning (1966)
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Succulent Selfies
Look away, look away!
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Happy Birthday today November 10th
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