'The life of a Colorado miner is a hard one. The weather was frequently harsh, the hours, usually long. The work was dirty, and hazardous to the miner’s health. The mines themselves however, were usually located in some of the more beautiful areas of the state. The images of Tyler combine the rugged beauty of the abandoned buildings, Colorado’s rugged landscape and the solitary masculine form.'
Preston Newell (Man Of Mine)
I have always tried to make FH more than just a showcase for models or even photographers. I have attempted to have the blog be more of a showcase for the work, the images created by models and artists that stimulate me visually and emotionally. These images of Tyler (Boldfigure) by Boulder’s Preston Newell do just that.
When I first saw images of Tyler, I knew I wanted to feature him on the blog. His work is not only creative and artistic, but the figures and lines his body creates are both dramatic and athletic. When I first contacted Tyler, it was not his work with Newell Photography that first drew my eye, but it was these images that demanded most of my attention.
'As a figure model, I come alive in front of the camera. I think of nudity as a kind of a costume I put on and I become almost like an actor or a character as I collaborate with the artist to create an image. Nude, I reveal none of the clues about me that my clothes offer and I can explore all kinds of personas and ideas.'
Tyler (Boldfigure)
Viewers of FH know I love to explore the relationship between model and location. Many artists are able to make great captures by placing a model in front of, or within a location. My favorite images however, are ones where the model blends into their location in away that makes it seem they are organic to the location and not just passing through to take a picture.
As well as working as a figure model, Tyler is an artist himself giving him a perspective for what his body and pose will look and feel like from both sides of the lens. In these images, he is not just at the mine, it is almost as if through his body, Tyler is channelling the thousands of men who passed through and worked there .
Hard does not even begin to describe the life of a miner. Viewing these images, you cannot help but think of the lives, even deaths of all of the men who worked there. The risk and daily danger the work entailed. The early mornings and the long days. The muscle pain and fatigue that must have been a regular part of the day.
What most struck me were the thoughts and dreams each man must have needed to get them through the long days and endless shifts. Thoughts of their wives and children waiting at home. The sexual longings, for a woman in town, or maybe a secret longing for fellow miner or other man. Dreams of a day off, and of one day not having to get up and go to the mine.
'The shoot took place at an old mill at a ghost town in Colorado called Bonanza. The shoot was challenging for a few reasons other than the remote location. My skin had a reaction to whatever was in all the dust and dirt and I got an instant rash, so I had to find water to rinse off with and then cover myself in lotion to prevent contact. I was constantly washing and reapplying to prevent the rash from showing. There were a few times when I was tied up or far away from my clothes and people would show up and I'd have to work quickly to get free, dressed or hide.'
Tyler
Tyler and Preston met when Tyler modeled for several photo workshops that Preston was a student at. Preston eventually approached Tyler to pose for him and they have had many one on one shoots over the years. Tyler says that working with the same photographer again and again has helped to reach a different level of communication and trust. Both model and photographer like the classical images best, but continue to experiment with different concepts. Tyler believes that although they might not all end up being beautiful images; they are perhaps more compelling photographs. With that level of trust, Tyler says they both have become fearless.
