Stools

A stool may be practical, but in physique photography it's rarely just somewhere to sit. Lean a model back slightly and his abs engage; shift the pelvis or camera angle and suddenly an otherwise relaxed pose becomes considerably more revealing.

1. Johnny Kent in a "Thinker-"esque pose on a wooden stool by Al Urban of Chicago in the 1940s.

2. Bob Cleveland by Bob Mizer in 1951.  Cleveland is a cutie;)

3. Gordon Grant on a white bar stool.

The variations are what I like here. John Manning turns partly away, leaving just enough hidden to create some mystery. Gymnast Joe Napoli folds into a tight V-sit, almost becoming a muscular vase perched on a pedestal. 

4. Tony Crater in a profile pose on a stool outdoors.

5. Joe Reeves posed on a stool...possibly by Pat Milo. (Can someone please confirm?)

6. John Manning in a very interesting shot on a stool.  The angle of his body with the light to his back creates a silhouette effect that gives his act a sense of mystery...really cool idea here.

7. Joe Napoli in a V-sit perched on a stool with a strong circular lighting effect in the background.  Napolie (sometimes spelled Napolie) also used the pseudonym Greg Bradford and starred in the 1966 AMG short film "Artist and the Bum" alongside fellow model Jerry Sullivan.

And Pat Rocco and Jim Cassidy take the humble barstool somewhere else entirely: one dressed, one naked, with a beer being poured where beer doesn't normally go. Sometimes a stool is just a stool. Sometimes definitely not. 

8. Jack Virgil leaning on an angled stool.

9. Tibor Nozkay by John Barrington - 1959.  This has a great sense of perspective shot from above with v-shaped gaps in the background and the stool beneath him.  I have never seen a photo of Nozkay I didn't like.

10. Dusty Manning by Jim French.  The lighting here is obvious in its intentions...and I have no complaints. Beautiful shot and strong composition.

11. Closing with a shot of gay porn film director, Pat Rocco pouring beer onto Jim Cassidy's crotch on two barstools.  This shot is interesting on many levels.  Rocco fully dressed and facing away...Cassidy full nude and facing the camera. The men's elbows crossing to give illusion of Cassidy holding the beer bottle (likely not intended)...where the two figures are focused...and the period specific decor (early 70's mid-century modern California). Rocco was not only an important figure in gay adult cinema, he was also a pioneer for gay rights in Los Angeles co-founding its first gay pride parade in 1970.

Please leave thoughts, questions, corrections or additions in the comments. Thank you, bns