Polaroids

It's Polaroid day, and we start with a guy leaning against a kitchen sink.

 

Flashback

The writing is barely legible, but someone labeled this guy in a jockstrap as "Flashback."

 

Early days

I suspect that this is an example of the early days of Polaroid photography.

 

Cheating

I suspect that this guy cheated by having someone hold up his feet.

Still, it makes for an interesting photograph.

 

Asset

 

Here we have a model showing off his finest asset.

Military?

This guy has what looks like a military haircut.

 

Streaky

This is a good (if that's the right word) example of the 

streaking common in some low cost Polaroids.

 

Buttercup

Buttercup seems to be warming his package by the fire.

 

Previous production

This fellow seems to be looking at some pictures that were probably taken earlier in the same session.  Note how the photos are curled, a common occurrence with Polaroids.

 

Familiar Model

If our last Polaroid star looks familiar, it's because I've posted 

other photos of him in different poses in the past.

 

Honorable Mention

 All-time Favorite Models - Honorable Mention

A few weeks ago, I posted my 15 favorite physique models of all time.  Of course, there are a lot more worthy men than that, and several of you suggested I do a followup series on those who didn't quite make the cut.  That's what I'm doing today, and I honestly have to say that there are plenty of worthy other choices besides the ten who follow.  Suggestions for a future set will be appreciated and given full consideration.

Tom De Carlo

Starting off the Honorable Mentions with a hairy Tom De Carlo

in a photo for which I can't find a firm attribution.

 

Bob Poling

This color slide of Bob Poling was made by Bruce of LA.

The man is beautifully proportioned.

 

Ed Fury

Sword and sandals movie actor Ed Fury had a fairly successful film career

despite having appeared nude in a large number of photos.

Here we see him in a photo by Bob Mizer of AMG.

 

Ken Steel

Ken Steel brought a bit of rugged maturity to the underappreciated work of photographer 

Rod Crowther.  Below, we see a very artistic rendering of this fine model.  

This guy is one of those who leaves us wishing for more, a lot more.

 

Marc Arno

Don Whitman of Western Photography Guild took this 

and many other fine photos of Marc Arno.

 

Bob McCune

Here we have Bob McCune in a photo thought to be by Russ Warner.

 

Don Fuller

I've already posted all the full frontal nudes of Don Fuller that I have, so this mesh posing strap item by Pat Milo will have to do.  Below, we see him in artistic color by Bruce of LA.

 

Chuck Miller

Chuck Miller is our second dark horse on the honorable mention list.  A San Jose State athlete, 

his modeling for Dave Martin in 1953was apparently his entire career.  This guy also 

makes my list of models I'd like to see a whole lot more of.

 

Barton Horvath

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Jack Lalanne

Some people give Jack Lalanne a hard time for having tried unsuccessfully to round up and destroy 

all his nude photos when he got his first TV deal.  Fortunately, Russ Warner refused, and a few 

photos by other photographers resurfaced decades later when private collections were sold.  

I don't think we should judge Mr. Lalanne harshly, though.  He would have been blacklisted 

had his past become widely known, and he went on to introduce basic principals of fitness 

and health to millions.  And besides that, he was one fine looking and well built man.  

So he closes out my "honorable mention" list.

 

Bastille Day with Desbonnet

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Over the shoulder

The derriere here is fine, but he could use some upper body development.

 

Beginner?

If this was one of Desbonnet's pupils, he must have been a beginner.

 

La Culture Physique

In 1904Edmond Desbonnet founded the groundbreaking magazine, La Culture Physique.

This photo is attributed to him, and the athlete on the pedestal was named Sturm.

 

Modified profile

Prof. Desbonnet and his associate Dr. Paul Richer were both fond of doing profile pictures of nude males.  Some of those resemble mugshots, but not this one.  I love the look he's giving us.

 

Sturdy

This model gives an impression that is more physical than artistic, and I'm just fine with that.

 

Hazy

The image here is rather hazy, but the message comes through.

 

Posing strap

Desbonnet was unflinching when it came to frontal nudity, but for whatever reason, there 

are a number of fig leaf, posing strap, and trunks photos in his archive.  I'm including 

this one today because the athlete/model is exceptionally well built

 

Lighting

The lighting here would be remarkably good at any time,

but in 1905 it was nothing less than miraculous.

 

Named?

Our last Desbonnet model is a fellow whom I believe I have seen named.

I cannot, however, find it in my files.  Anyone?