Inversions

“I hear you used to be a gymnast—still got a handstand in you?”

Keith shrugs, easy. “Gee, I suppose I could manage.”

“Let’s have a look.”

He plants his hands and kicks up clean, steady. “Careful now… you might not want to stand so close.”

“I'll be fine right here. Now give us a big smile for the camera,” Bob chuckles.

Click. 

1. Keith Andes (1920-2005) - Hollywood actor

We’ll start with Keith Andes (1920–2005), a Hollywood actor who worked with Marilyn Monroe and later popped up in Star Trek. From there we’ll look at the range of inverted poses that physique photography played around with—from a simple forward bend to full-on handstands and flips. Part stunt, part curiosity, part humor—it’s hard not to smile at some of these.

2. Tuck Powell - plow on the beach

3. Dino - toe touch

4. Jim Young aka Marvin Barnett aka Earl Dean - bulldog on chairs (dangerous pose!)

I got the idea for today’s theme—Inversions—from a Matt Baume doc on Victim (1961), where “inversion” was used to describe homosexuality as a reversal of the “normal” order. As a former gymnast, I spent about 12 years upside down and always found that pretty normal too.

5. Johnnie Holden (upside down) and Dick Fenley - partner arm stand on beach

6. Danny DeWhis - shoulder stand

7. Dennis Ellis - forward fold on the rocks

For me, it’s the willingness that stands out. These guys were game to try something a little absurd in front of the camera, just to see what happened. Am I head over heels for these shots? Not exactly. But I respect the spirit behind them.

8. Forrester Millard and John Tristram - handstand on a man bridge

9. Kelly Dean - I think this is an Old Reliable model

10. Neal Shaw - shoulder stand straddle (this guy liked extreme poses)

Feedback?

Can anyone ID the guy under Millard in #8.  I'm also happy to add any photographer credits if you can help ID them in comments.