Looking

Yesterday was about looking a man in the eye. Today, our eyes wander lower.

1. Dean (white shirt) and Tim (polka dot kerchief) checking each other out in what is possibly a barn set for Bob Mizer c. 1969-1970.

 

Men look at other men. We compare. We size each other up. Sometimes it’s curiosity, sometimes admiration, sometimes competition—and sometimes we simply like what we see.

2. Nick Digiusseppi (L) and Johnny Kemper (R) sizing each other up by Al Urban c. 1952.

3. Unknown models by British photographer Basil Clavering (1910-1973), who operated a highly clandestine mail-order physique enterprise out of Pimlico and Soho, London, in the late 50s to early 60s under two pseudonyms; Studio Royale for bodybuilding, gym, and "artistic" work, and Hussar Studio for roleplay work centered on military discipline, sailor leave, and authority/uniform themes such as this photo.

 

There’s a whole etiquette around it. A quick glance can pass unnoticed. Let your eyes linger and suddenly you’ve said something.

4. Ledermeister aka Paul Gerrior and unkown model by Jim French.

 

Physique photographers knew exactly where their audience was looking—and occasionally let their models join in. A downward glance turns the model into one of us: another man taking in the male body in front of him.

5. Two unknown models int the shower, possibly by Bob Mizer in the 1950's when he often did not credit model names.

6. Lonnie (L) and Cricket (R) by J. Brien c. 1971.

 

Sometimes the setup provides an excuse. Shower together. Compare physiques. Horse around. Pose as sailors, cops, athletes or buddies. Whatever the story, eventually somebody looks.

7. Unknown models in a sailor shore leave themed scene by Bob Mizer c. 1971.

 

And that creates a delicious little game between photographer, model and viewer. We’re looking at naked men who are themselves looking at naked men. The photograph catches them doing exactly what we’re doing.

8. Marvin Eder (standing) and Art Zeller (kneeling) by Alonzo Hanagann c. 1950. Zeller later relocated to California and became a photographer for the Golden Era bodybuilding scene at Gold's Gym including Arnold Schartzenegger.

 

Painters and sculptors were looking long before photographers arrived. The male body has been studied, measured, idealized and admired for centuries. Photography simply made the looking harder to disguise.

9. Johnny Amati (L) being checked out by Bob Delmonte (R) on the beach by Bruce Bellas c. 1953.

 

Maybe that’s part of the pleasure in these photographs. The gaze gives us permission. We aren't the only ones looking.

10. Jake Tanner checking out Ed Dinakos with his eyes and fingers by Jim French c. 1990.

 

Go ahead. Take a look. Or better yet...take a picture, it'll last longer.

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