Lakes

We start with Eddie Tessar photographed by Bruce Bellas floating at the shallow edge of a lake, then move through a sampling of physique shots set around lakes and ponds. Even though these images are still centered around water in nature, they read very differently from ocean shots. 

1. Eddie Tessar - Bruce Bellas

Lakes are calmer, quieter, more intimate spaces. You can often sense the opposite shore even when you can’t see it. The water sits still enough to become its own backdrop too — sometimes dark and glassy, other times pale enough to show the silty lakebed underneath.

2. Unknown Models (I think this is from Jerry's VintageMuscleMen--thank you;)

3. William Ritter - Fred Ritter correction George Platt Lynes (Thanks, Naven!)

To me, lake imagery always feels nostalgic and private. I grew up spending summers around lakes — remote cabins, inner-city swimming beaches, floating docks, canoes, late sunsets, warm air against cold water.

4. Mike Hill aka Danny Minor

5. Dana Sumers

Skinny dipping with friends. Easy laughter carrying across the surface while everybody tried not to splash too much or scare the fish. That feeling is all over these photos for me. 

6. Gary Lee - Don Whitman (thanks, Naven!)

7. James Schwertley - Bruce Bellas (this man is so pretty)

I think that’s why nudity works so naturally in this setting. Lakes don’t feel out in the open the way beaches sometimes do. They feel hidden away. Personal. Remote.

8. Darryl Powers

9. David Knight

And the stillness of the water has this almost ASMR quality that I love — the calm surface, the soft ripples, the soundlessness — all sitting right beside the awe and excitement of seeing these men completely at ease in their own skin.

10. Dakota aka Ken Sprague

Thoughts?

Please help ID #2, correct any mistakes or drop any comments about this set or theme.