Vanities

This set begins with Champion model Ralph Pfundstein leaning into the sink with a grin as he splashes water on his face and ends with Playgirl favorite Ed Ventresca looking mildly surprised to be caught mid-shave. 

1. Ralph Pfundstein by Walter Kundzicz pretending to wash his face at the sink in a jockstrap.

The set also includes Dean Roberts, George Payne, Mark Nixon, Dwight Kassel, Jerry Murray, Lauren Marks, and a bonus appearance by contemporary model Killian Belliard proving that physique photographers still find the bathroom sink a great spot for a shoot...especially Walter Kundzicz (Champion Studios), who took most of the photos in this set in his own bathroom.

2. Dwight Kassel posing in front of Kundzicz' bathroom vanity.

3. Dean Roberts (see yesterday's post on Bathrooms) facing forward with cigarette.

The vanity might be one of the most believable settings in all of physique photography. Every guy has stood in front of a sink half or fully naked, combing his hair, brushing his teeth, shaving, or getting ready for a date. 

4. Stan Hilkert putting toothpaste on a toothbrush in Kundzicz' bathroom.

5. Jerry Murray combing his hair and looking at the camera in the mirror.

Add a mirror, a towel, some running water, and suddenly the model has something to do besides just pose. That's probably why these images often feel more relaxed and candid than many studio shots.

6. Brian O'Keefe combing his hair with a half smile in Kundzicz' iconic bathroom.

7. George Payne (see June 18, Fireplaces), the lead actor in Centurians of Rome (1981), hanging into the basin while fixing his hair.

I have a soft spot for this theme. There's something oddly satisfying about watching people groom themselves. Maybe it's the routine, maybe it's the concentration, maybe it's the ASMR effect of water running and razors scraping. 

8. Mark Nixon shaving in a bathroom with busy walls.

9. Loren Marks aka Steve Regis shaving while propped up onto the sink.

And then, of course, there are the photographers who couldn't resist having a model casually prop his equipment on the sink while grooming. Completely unnecessary. Completely ridiculous. And somehow it works.

10. Ed Ventresca, the handsome Colt star wearing only shaving cream in what looks like a cabana bathroom.

Bonus. Killian Belliard fixing his hair at the vanity. Definitely not mid-century, but too good to refuse.

Please leave thoughts, questions or corrections in the comments.