We start today’s set with the legendary physique heartthrob Norman Tousley, the Russ Warner model famously too hot to hold onto his job as a lieutenant in the Oakland Fire Department back in 1955, casting his net into the sea.
1, Norm Tousley - fishing net - Russ Warner
From there we get a sampling of men posed in and around natural ocean landscapes during the mid-century. From the beach we turn the camera outward toward the water itself, and with that shift comes darker blues and grays, movement, and all the metaphors the ocean drags in behind it. Salt, depth, wetness, danger, temperament.
2. Johnny Kemper - swim trunks - Lon of NY
3. Glenn Bishop by Clifford Oettinger (thanks, Naven) - between waves
4. Jerry Albanese by Denny Denfield (thanks, Naven) - sea foam
The ocean also carries all the old fantasies with it: explorers, sailors, pirates, and sea gods like Poseidon, Neptune, or Glaucus rising from the depths. There’s a psychological layer to these images too — beauty at the surface against the vastness of what can’t be seen underneath. Mystery. Awe. Unpredictability. The body feels small against the horizon but somehow amplified by it at the same time.
5. Gene Mory by Jean Ferrero (thanks, Naven) - shaved underarms?
6. Frank Hollfelder - sucking it in
7. Bill Grant by Denny Denfield (thanks, Jerry!) - setting sail
There’s a spot on the Oregon coast called Thor's Well where waves slam into black volcanic rock, filling an underwater cave until pressure sends seawater exploding upward in a massive briny geyser. White foam flooding over black basalt. I’ll say no more.
8. Jack, correction, Hal Harley by Bruce Weber (Thanks, Boz;) - mustache, necklace, and speedo
9. Devlin - peekaboo - Jim French
10. Steve Kelso - catching waves - Jim French
Anyone have full names for #8 or #9 and other info or thoughts about these models or the ocean theme?
I have your #8 Jack filed as Hal Harley photo by Bruce Weber
ReplyDeleteBut... it just came up in a google search as Hal Harley photo by Ken Duncan
DeleteThanks, Boz! Just updated. Going with Weber. I appreciate you.
DeleteThe photo of Bill Grant is a personal favorite, and I have the photographer as Denny Denfield.
ReplyDeleteSome photographer IDs: #3 by Clifford Oettinger; #4 by Denny Denfield and #5 by Jean Ferrero. Love this "identification" challenge!!
ReplyDeleteNaven 1918
Huge thanks to you for all this help!
DeleteGreat selection of models in particular the B/W nudes. How anyone could say images such as these are obscene when I see aesthetic beauty and artistry is beyond me!
ReplyDeleteSame page here. Maybe we can change that over time;)
DeleteNot heard of Ray Hollfelder, have heard of Frank Hollfelder. Samer person but different names, or different people (brothers)?
ReplyDeleteGood catch there, John. Just corrected. Thanks.
Delete