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Fool's Paradise
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Favorite Pic of the Day for April 1st
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The Upstairs Bathroom: Rick by AANE Photography & THOM Graphophoton
'Seven young men take a break from the summer heat to skinny dip in a creek. Over 192 images in full color with full frontal nudity.'
The handsome and studly Rick was one of those seven young men, and the quote above is part of the introduction to Creek, a book featuring the work of AANE Photography& THOM Graphophoton. I first previewed Creek (HERE:) when it was published back in 2015 and featured a couple of shots of Rick and some of the other hotties who stripped off for a dip. When I was back on Mike's (ANNE Photography) portfolio again recently, it his images of Rick again caught my attention.
The images of Rick I asked Mike about were't actually these one of Rick immersed and emerging from the cool water of the creek. There were taken later that day at a cabin near by. When I started putting the piece together I decided instead of combining the images together, to return to the creek first, and feature the images from the cabin separately.
There was a different feel and tone between the two location shot by Mike and his creative partner and editor Fred. (THOM Graphophoton) A great image not only hits my visual senses, but the other four as well. The visuals of Rick in the water, had me hearing the sounds of the forest, especially the ripple of the creek and the sound of the water lapping the sides of the rocks. Although there was nudity and eroticism in both the images from the creek and the cabin, the creek shots felt a bit more innocently sensual with the nudity less a focus, and more a natural bi-product of the hot sun, and calling of the awaiting cool water.
The Creek wasn't just a group shoot for models, it was also a group shoot for those behind the camera. Initially organized by Bill D. from Gym Image, Bill has been returning regularly to the creek since first discovering it as a child in boy scouts. Some keen eyed FH viewers might even remember seeing the creek before, back in 2011 when I featured Bill's shots of Julian Jiamachello posing naked on the rocks. (HERE:) Mike was especially excited to have the opportunity to work outdoors, especially given so may of his previous shoot were inside hotel and motel rooms, the easiest make shift studio's while he was on the road traveling for work. The Creek is still a hidden gem for artists and most keep the exact location a secret, especially given all the naked bodies who plunge into the creek and are photographed there.
Mike has fond memories of that summer and the shoot, it was the last summer he worked on the road and the last time he worked with both Bill and Rick. Although he hopes to work with both again in the future, it has been harder to find time for traveling since he left the his job which had him regularly on the road. So... some of you might be wondering about the title for the piece, The Upstairs Bathroom...
The title doesn't really apply to the creek directly, but where some of the images from the shoot ended up. Mike and Fred twice submitted image of Rick from the creek to Naked in New Hope. Although both were accepted for exhibit, unfortunately, did not sell. Fred and Mike have a ritual of hanging anything that doesn't sell in the their bathroom upstairs. I am guessing with Rick adorning the walls, many guests have spent more time they expected in the upstairs bathroom.
ANNE Photography on tumblr | ModelMayhem
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Prime Time Supporters: Rushi Kota
Grey's Anatomy used to be my favorite drama, starting when aired on Sunday night through to about the time of Alex and Izzy's wedding. Since then, my viewing of the Thursday night medical drama has been a bit more sporadic. It's still on the DVR, but for much of the last few years, I either fast forwarded my through it, or skipped it all together. The original characters, especially Alex and Bailey remain favorites and my loyalty to the show I once loved keeps me from taking it off my series recording list.
One of the reasons I stopped watching regularly was all the new faces. Every season or two, they introduce a new herd of interns, most I care nothing about. Before you can even remember their names, most are killed off or written off in time for a new season of recruits. This season, a little less Meredith (whom I like, just don't like on all the time) and a little more Alex had me watching more and more of the season. I find myself front forwarding less and more invested in what is happening with the three or four main characters I like.
I'm glad to be watching again, especially because this seasons crew of new interns is a much more interesting group of characters (and actors) than I have seen at Seattle Grace in awhile. One that caught my eye hard is Dr. Vik Roy played the delicious and talented Rushi Kota. Although I am watching my DVR's recordings, I am still about five or six behind. The episode I watched this week was from aired in early March and had seen of the 'morning after' April picked up Vik at the bar.
The fetching Mr Kota is not only visually stimulating, but an actor I wanted to get to know a little more about. Born in India, Rushi was raised in Queens, NY. and graduated American Repertory Theater/ Moscow Art Theater School at Harvard University with an MFA in Acting. Rushi says he discovered his passion for acting early on, but waited to pursue as a career until he had a solid education to back him up. Rushi appeared in a number of off Broadway shows before making the leap to TV and film.
Off Broadway in Guards at the Taj
Grey's Anatomy: Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
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Room With A View
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Happy Birthday today April 2nd
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Favorite Pic of the Day for April 2nd
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Creative Couplings: Jon by Cmwathen
'I picked up a camera one day and started shooting.'
Mark, Cmwathen
On that day when Mark started shooting, he wasn't focused on shooting in particular subject or theme, he just wanted to capture all that he saw around him. When Mark saw the finished images however, he was hooked. It began back in 2010 when Mark's husband Todd got him a camera for Christmas. He began shooting outdoor scenes, landscapes, seascapes, flowers and architecture. With his husbands encouragement, Mark entered some of his photos on Pixoto.com and won several awards.
Mark believes that photos are an important part of our history, and wants to do his part to conserve the past. Mark had heard that people are forgotten after three generations, and one of his's goals is document his family, and those around him to ensure they are never forgotten.
Although Mark continued to shoot occasionally as a hobby, he took a break from photography in 2012 to focus on his day job and taking his master's in Occupation Safety and Health. Mark picked up his camera again in the fall of 2017. Mark had been encouraged by his family and friends to focus on shooting people. Initially he was hesitant, Mark had always considered himself an amateur photographer and was unsure if he trusted his talent enough to seek out human model to shoot.
'My husband encouraged me move forward and to put an ad on Craigslist, advertising for models. Several people responded to the add and we narrowed it down to one. He showed up with his girlfriend, and I surprised myself with how good the photos turned out. I thought I would be nervous, but once I started shooting, I was in a zone and everything came naturally.'
Mark interviewed his first subject, a beautiful long haired Hispanic model (on his MM page HERE:) for about a half hour. Mark wanted to get to know a little about him, and find out what he wanted out of the shoot. Mark's husband acted as his assistant and helped pick out the wardrobe for the shoot. Mark was so pleased with the results, he was motivated to sign up for Model Mayhem and post the images online.
'My goal was not to be a male model photographer, however, I know what makes a man look good and sexy in-front of a camera. Even though I have very little experience shooting people, with every shoot, I learn a little bit more which helps my abilities as a photographer grow. Without the love and support of my husband Todd, I do not think I would have picked up my camera last fall.'
It was through starting his Model Mayhem page that allowed Mark connected with Jon. Although Jon was going to be his third shoot, he was the first model Mark was going to shoot nude. Mark wanted to do more than just shoot and nude body, and wanted to find a focus to help guide the shoot. He'd always had an interest in doing a 'sports themed' shoot, and thought Jon's physique would be perfect for the shots he was hoping to capture.
Given it was his first nude shirt, Mark was understandably nervous, but he ended up having more support that he expected. First off, Jon is an experienced model and photographer himself which helped immensely during the shoot. Secondly, Jon arrived with his wife, and both were eager to help out with lighting, backdrops and poses, anything that Mark needed, they were both eager to offer support and assist.
As with his previous shoots, Mark began with a conversation, this time not only with his model, but also his wife. Mark says the conversation not only got things off to a positive start, it also completely calmed his nerves before shooting his first nude model. Jon and his wife weren't the only couple present, Mark's husband also popped in to offer encouragement. With the support and assistance of two couples working together, the four hour shoot, just flew by.
They helped make it so easy! Throughout the shoot, we talked and got to know each other. Jon taught me a lot during the 4 hours he worked with me. Jon's wife was his assistant when he photographed and Todd, my husband was mine. I remember Jon was very comfortable between shots being nude and declined a robe. John appeared to be semi hard throughout the shoot and I was impressed he was able to keep it that way throughout the entire four hours!'
For a first nude shoot, I was impressed with how well Mark captured Jon's incredible body with a wide variety of looks and poses. I think it was smart of Mark to focus on a sports theme, this provided Jon with props to help showcase different parts of physique. I love Jon's blue eyes and the shots in which he's smiling. I also love how Mark used wardrobe, especially the plaid shirt below, which looks so incredibly hot, and along with his leather boots, are the only pieces of wardrobe.
I love Mark's comments of the two couples coming together creatively. Mark says the four of them became friends after the shoot and have stayed connected. Mark continues to seek out Jon's expertise, sending him questions about lighting and posing. Jon responded by inviting Mark and his husband to his home for a training shoot to focus on lighting. This time, it was Jon shooting Mark and Todd. The evening ended with dinner and wind and Mark says he values his feedback and experience as both a photographer and a friend.
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Welcome to Genoa City!
Genoa City hasn't had much luck keeping Kyle Abbott in town. The Young & the Restless has gone through many Kyle's since first introducing the character back in 2010. Model and actor Michael Mealorrecently made his debut as the fifth actor to take on the role and let's hope this time, it sticks!. .
Image above by Bruce Weber
Mealor is not only incredibly gorgeous, but also appears to have some considerable acting chops beyond his handsome face. I think Mealor's a keeper and the shows new writers seem invested in the character, something the last few actors in the role didn't have to back them up
Mealor by Beau Jones for BelloMag
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Thumbs Down: Entertainment Weekly
I am a magazine freak, at one time having subscriptions to close to a dozen magazines. The only magazine I current subscribe to is Entertainment Weekly. I had been thinking about cancelling, as I often end up reading the stories on-line, but out of loyalty, recently continued for another 6 months. I sort of regret after their most recent mistake of not including John Wesley Shipp and Mary Margaret Humes in their Dawson's Creek reunion photo shoot.
Mistakes happen, but this omission just wasn't a mistake, it was a cruel one. Clearly they included older cast members as the wonderful Mary Beth Peil is in the pic, but according to Mary Margaret, she and John were thought of, and called for interviews, but ignored when it came to the shoot. I LOVED Dawson's Creek and both actors played an important roles in the show, especially in the earlier seasons. The inclusion of Meredith Monroe, and especially Busy Philipps indicates the shoot was more about bringing together friends rather than actually reuniting a cast. I would be curious if the magazine ever gives the real reason, but it was an oversight which clouds the entire event. Somewhere Nina Repeta is either smiling, or silently weeping.
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Measuring Up
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Favorite Pic of the Day for April 4th
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Graphicly Designed: Leonardo by Brenton Parry
'Leonardo has such a beautiful energy about him and I hope I went a little way to capture that in his images.'
The job of a Graphic Designer basically comes down to conveying a message. Visually assembling together imagery, artwork and words in a concise and creative way that best tells the story and represents the subject or product in focus. Even as a kid, photographer Brenton Parry remembers that when others were slapping paint around recklessly on their canvas, he was always more focused, more precise, giving attention to the smallest of details.
Brenton's site Aussielicous has been bookmarked on every computer and lap top I've owed and a big inspiration for my starting FH. Aussielicous is a welcoming place where Brenton shares not only his thoughts and life experiences, both personal and professional, but also visually shares with viewers his love being naked whenever, and how often he can. Brenton also shares his work behind the camera and his passion for photography.
Like his work as a graphic designer, Brenton's photography is often focused on the detail. If you check out my previous pieces featuring Brenton's work, (HERE:) you can clearly see the influence of design and Brenton's attention to his presentation of detail, and his deliberate uses of lines and placement color weaved together to best showcase the subject in focus.
Brenton's images are visually powerful and always have me stopping to zoom in on the design and detail he has captured. When I recently scrolled by a post on his site titled Bohemian Rhapsody!, I knew instantly the photographer had met a designers dream. Leonardo is himself a beautifully designed masterpiece. His beautiful body and incredible long curly hair are striking and Leonardo's eyes.... they pierce like an erotic injection, a hit of ecstasy without any of the nasty side effects.
The Harder the Struggle,
The Greater the Triumph
I can see why Brenton was drawn to Leonardo, even his tattoo's are perfectly placed and designed. This makes sense when you know that Leonardo is himself a tattoo artist, who, like Brenton, was involved and invested in every detail and line of ink adorning his beautiful canvas of skin. Brenton approached Leonard on Instagram after he had liked a few of Brenton's images and started following him. Leonardo had never done a professional shoot before and was a little nervous at first. As you can see from Brenton's images, Leonardo worked through those nerves, and if you read his tattoo's, you know he heads towards, not away from risk,
'Leonardo isn’t the type of guy that I usually go for at all. I’m not a massive fan of a lot of tattoos or piercings but there is something incredibly sexy about Leonardo. His vibe is very chilled, relaxed and open to whatever life brings his way. It’s that attitude that he brought to the shoot. Happy to do full frontal it was just something that he thought he was being given the opportunity to do so why not? All of this definitely meant that I had a crush on Leonardo by the end of the shoot. In two weeks he is leaving Sydney and embarking on new adventures. I’m certainly glad that he agreed to do a photo shoot with me.'
If you check out Brenton's shop page HERE:, he has compiled a downloadable booklet 'Bohemian' celebrating his work with Leonardo and his hippy, surfer vibe. You can also get in contact if you want a print of any of the images Brenton has included within the booklet.
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Playmen
Harris Dickinson
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I have been following the work Harris Dickinson since seeing the first previews for Beach Rats. I had been looking FX's Trust and Dickinson's turn as John Paul Getty 111. Two episodes in and I'm hooked. I didn't see All The Money In The World, but I may take a look when it gets it's released on DVD and digital next week.
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Having not known too much about the story, I wasn't sure Getty's nude Playmen spread in the show's first episode was real, or fictional. It was in fact very real. Founded by feminist Adelina Tattilo, the magazine began because the American published Playboy was banned in Italy at the time. In the early 70's Getty was hanging and partying with a lot of celebrities including Mick Jagger, Elton John and Andy Warhol. It didn't take much, just $1000 to convince him to pose naked for an issue back in 1973.
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Dickinson with Donald Sutherland in Trust
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The cover heralded Getty as eroe nudo, (naked hero) and according the story, was the reason his grandfather withdrew his previous job offers to Getty the third. I included one censored image below, but he posed in Italy, and I don't think he was only 17 when the images were released. On a side note, I also had not connected that actor Balthazar Getty was Paul Getty's son. The more you know...
John Paul Getty 111
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Harrison as Getty in Playmen
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I have been following the work Harris Dickinson since seeing the first previews for Beach Rats. I had been looking FX's Trust and Dickinson's turn as John Paul Getty 111. Two episodes in and I'm hooked. I didn't see All The Money In The World, but I may take a look when it gets it's released on DVD and digital next week.
Having not known too much about the story, I wasn't sure Getty's nude Playmen spread in the show's first episode was real, or fictional. It was in fact very real. Founded by feminist Adelina Tattilo, the magazine began because the American published Playboy was banned in Italy at the time. In the early 70's Getty was hanging and partying with a lot of celebrities including Mick Jagger, Elton John and Andy Warhol. It didn't take much, just $1000 to convince him to pose naked for an issue back in 1973.
Dickinson with Donald Sutherland in Trust
The cover heralded Getty as eroe nudo, (naked hero) and according the story, was the reason his grandfather withdrew his previous job offers to Getty the third. I included one censored image below, but he posed in Italy, and I don't think he was only 17 when the images were released. On a side note, I also had not connected that actor Balthazar Getty was Paul Getty's son. The more you know...
John Paul Getty 111
Harrison as Getty in Playmen
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Break Outs
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Happy Birthday today April 6th
Happy 28th to the talented Charlie McDermott!
Check out more of Charlie on FHHERE:
& More of today's Birthdays HERE:
Pfft:
Although Roseanne keeps saying it, and the media keeps writing it, there is a show on TV, a hugely popular and successful show, focused on the working class. For the last nine years The Middle has focused on working Americans with respect, great characters and with less mean spirited snark than The Conner's.
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Favorite Pic of the Day for April 6th
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Richard Rothstein: A Welcoming Stare
Adam
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Although I am not in New York, thanks to Richard Rothstein's photo scrapbooks of Sketchy Saturday's, I have been visually visiting every week. Since Richard first introduced me to Therapy Lounge's weekly drawing, and lusting, Saturday night sessions, I have been regularly checking out TherapyNYC's Instagram page to see who's posing this week.
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There is nothing more inviting than a voyeuristic welcome, and Sketchy Saturday's welcomes their guests to stroke both their artistic inclinations, as well as their more carnal desires, visually of course. Last Saturday, the spotlight was Adam, and actor and director whose beautiful eyes and incredible body would have made it impossible to keep my pencil steady on the paper!
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Sergey
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Last Saturday's second model was someone's who's work I have featured several times recently on FH. (HERE:) I have featured Richard's work with the very bendy Sergey in the photographers new apartment, out in the snow, on the streets of New York and now posing at Therapy Lounge NYC. If you want to see who's artistically inspiring this week, check out TherapyNYC's Instagram HERE:
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Although I am not in New York, thanks to Richard Rothstein's photo scrapbooks of Sketchy Saturday's, I have been visually visiting every week. Since Richard first introduced me to Therapy Lounge's weekly drawing, and lusting, Saturday night sessions, I have been regularly checking out TherapyNYC's Instagram page to see who's posing this week.
There is nothing more inviting than a voyeuristic welcome, and Sketchy Saturday's welcomes their guests to stroke both their artistic inclinations, as well as their more carnal desires, visually of course. Last Saturday, the spotlight was Adam, and actor and director whose beautiful eyes and incredible body would have made it impossible to keep my pencil steady on the paper!
Sergey
Last Saturday's second model was someone's who's work I have featured several times recently on FH. (HERE:) I have featured Richard's work with the very bendy Sergey in the photographers new apartment, out in the snow, on the streets of New York and now posing at Therapy Lounge NYC. If you want to see who's artistically inspiring this week, check out TherapyNYC's Instagram HERE:
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Proportional Posturing: Bond by Gordon Nebeker
'When I think of Bond, I can’t help but think ‘enthusiasm’, 'high energy’, and ‘personable’. He’d is the human Energizer Bunny, always ready to go!'
Regular FH readers know how much I love featuring Bond. I also know from the stats, FH readers also love whenever there's a bit of Bond. Bond's personality and the enthusiasm referenced by photographer Gordon Nebeker, radiates from his work. The fun Bond is having is contagious, and experienced by viewers of his work.
It was Halloween of 2014 when I was first introduced to Bond through his work with New Manhattan Studios. It was also NMS that helped connect Bond with Gordon a little earlier, in July of the same year. Bond was living in New York at the time and took a bus up to Boston so he and Gordon to could do an underwater shoot. Bond was eager to submerge and give it a try and Gordon was sure with his long curly hair, he would look great underwater.
Gordon wasn't disappointed and says Bond remains one of the best underwater models that he has worked with. We'll join Gordon and Bond underwater soon, but I wanted to start with this set of shots of Bond inside and dry. One of the themes I love best about imagery of the male form is when a sense of play is weaved in. In many ways, naked modeling is the ultimate form of play. The freedom many models experience can be exhilarating, harking back to that carefree feeling many of us experienced when running and jumping wildly around the backyard with no fear, no judgements and no limits.
Gordon clearly didn't place any boundaries or limits on Bond during this shoot and I love the sense of fun and play Gordon captured, and how Bond poses so architecturally in line with any piece of furniture he's on or in. Most people would have a fit if someone was jumping on their beautiful white couch fully clothed, let alone completely naked! I will never hear the saying, 'Counters are for glasses, not asses' again without thinking of Bond lying so beautifully across Gordon's connecting kitchen counter.
'As a photographer, I go through phases where one idea or the other haunts my brain. This shoot with Bond took place in the Spring a year ago and was right in the middle of my ‘Models On The Furniture’ phase so Bond found himself posed on top of or beneath various pieces of furniture abound my house. No complaints from him! He often added touches of emotion or just motion and made the poses become more alive. In one shot, he strikes a pose on a side table which is similar to the pose of the man in the bronze sculpture from the 1930’s that normally graces the top of that table. On a round coffee table, he strikes a pose that could well be a variation on the famous ‘Vitruvian Man’ drawing by Da Vinci.'
'The space created by the pass-through from the kitchen to the dining area just begged to be filled with Bond’s body.'
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Naughty by Nature: Renn by StudioMGphotography
'I'd said he didn't need to bring any clothes and he took that to heart - he had nothing with him besides the sweats and T-shirt he was wearing. I don't recall their even being any underwear.'
Earlier this year, I was fortunate to be able to feature StudioMGphotograpy's work with the incredibly hot Renn. (In His Shoes) In that piece, Mark commented that Renn reminded him of James Dean in his iconic role in Rebel Without A Cause. It was this sexy bad boy vibe that Mark was inspired to capture within the multiple locations that they shot in during their two shoots together.
I noted in the first piece that Mark was hoping to pull their work together into a book. Now, hot off the presses, Mark released his book Rennon Blurb earlier today. The book features images from both shoots. Maybe more naughty than bad, Mark shares that on the first shoot, Renn's girlfriend joined them, helping to inspire both Renn's energy and enthusiasm. Although she did not join Renn on the second shoot, Mark reports Renn's enthusiasm remained steady and aroused throughout.
'Before long I noticed that if I was distracted or out of sight, the next time I looked at him he'd as often as not be smirking and have a bit of a hard on. As the shoot progressed he was wandering around hard more often than not, and it was now his girlfriend who was smirking.'
Within the many images in the closed to 50 paged book, Mark managed to capture Renn at the height and climax (twice!) of his enthusiasm. You can check out and preview Renn on Blurb HERE: If you decide to dive in and see even more of Renn, the book is available in Hardcover and with an instantly downloadable digital download version.
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