Huevos

Huevos—eggs, of course. A nod to Easter, to spring, to fertility. Whether you celebrate or not, eggs have long been symbols of new life… so it felt like the right moment to lean into a different kind of “abundance.”

1. Dick Ryan (hanging loose)

In this art form, that symbolism shows up in its own way. A man’s balls carry a certain presence—weight, shape, the way they sit, the way they hang. 

2. David Asnis (with staff)

3. Larry Steiner (seeing himself)

4. Jim Bond (oiled w black background)

Physique photographers knew it too, catching them in a brief, a jock, or a slip into view that felt almost accidental… but never quite was.

5. Doug Kappel (and candelabra)

6. Art Ullrich (hands behind his back)

7.  Joe Emmon aka Joel Emmons (black background)

And I’ll say it plainly—I love them. Full, round, a little heavy… the kind that move with him and catch the light just right. Call it appreciation, call it admiration… but for me, they’ve always been part of what makes the whole picture work.

8. Larry Adams (on a stump)

9. Terry Douglas (on red bucket seat)

10. Chuck Weltch (chained up)

*A few other models worth honorable mention in this theme include Bob Bishop, Ken Markus (aka Nick McCoy, and Cody Steele.

Thoughts?

Any other fans out there?  Any great stories about this set of models or today's theme?

HAPPY SPRING HOLIDAYS!

Whether you celebrate a Spring holiday or not, there’s something we can all appreciate about this time of year—longer days, warmer air, and that unmistakable feeling of renewal. It’s a season for gathering, reconnecting, and stepping a little more fully into the light.

If you’re in the mood for a good Easter-themed laugh, David Sedaris’ Jesus Shaves is always worth revisiting.  https://youtu.be/m0yqn_OK6eE?si=foSVsVPOCM9LHlyM

And of course… with spring comes a bit of play—less clothing, more sun, and the occasional hunt for huevos if you know where to look.

Endowments

Today’s theme—Endowments—felt right for tax day… because what are we really talking about here if not assets? I’ve been making my way around the body lately—culo, huevos—so now we’re looking at the full package. 

1. Ed Wyant (heavy weight)

And this part of the male body carries a strange charge. It’s hidden, joked about, policed—called obscene… even ugly. Too small, it’s mocked. Too big, it’s vulgar. Either way, it’s something we’re told to keep out of sight.

2. Marty Stevens (redhead and red headboard)

3. Norm Tousley (on a pedistal as he should be)

You can see that tension in early physique photography—posing straps, draping, fig leaves. But what happens when his cup runneth over? That’s where it gets interesting.

4. Robert Coney (arms crossed)

5. Kim Dennis (Oh captain!)

6. Bob Enslo aka Enslow (dropping in)

Photographers had to learn how to light it, frame it, present it—heat, oil, timing… knowing the moment. There’s craft there, sure—but also a kind of quiet rebellion. Bringing something into the light that wasn’t supposed to be seen.

7. Frank Trigner (sideburns and side curve)

8. Bruce Bjorn (scandanavian in the sun)

And for me? I find it beautiful. There’s weight, proportion, presence—something distinctly 'adult male', matured, fully developed, ripened to perfection. It’s hard to look away. And maybe that’s the point. Putting it on film, attaching a face to it—it pushes back. I’m here. I take up space. Deal with it.

9. Mark J (rainbow pillowcases)

10. Alain Jourdan (on white towel)

Thoughts?

Anyone know Mark J's full last name (#9) and/or have a better version of #10?  There are many more noteworthy examples in this category e.g. Nick Poulos, Bill Eld, and others, but these stood out to me today;) Enjoy!

Culo

Today we celebrate the culo.  I touched on this in the recent Back post (4.06)—how this angle pulls us away from the face and crotch (where the mood is pretty obvious) and into something more about form… but still saying plenty, if you know what I mean.

1. Howard Heidtmann (catching the light)

Happy birthday to my amazing Latino boyfriend—this one’s for you, baby. You’ve made it very clear where your attention goes, and honestly… I get it. 

2. Gerald Desfosses (au naturale)

3. Edward Flemming (Physique Pictorial)

There’s something deeper going on too. The ass reads as strength—power, movement, virility. For women, we talk about hips and fertility—Beyoncé, J-Lo, all that. For men, it’s a different shape, but just as primal. These are the muscles that carry us, lift us, keep us upright—literally part of what sets us apart from our evolutionary ancestors. 

4. David Keith Miller (leg up)

5. Bob Burke (column)

No wonder there’s always a line at the squat rack. And photographers knew it. Early physique guys leaned right into this—strong, sculptural, and just respectable enough to pass as “art,” even when everything else had to be… a little more discreet.

6. Larry Dunn (L) and Doug Scott (R) (Trojans)

7. George Maharis (spread out)

And for me? Yeah, I’m right there with you, mi amor. There’s something about it—distinctly male, tight, structured, powerful. It fills out a pair of jeans in a way that also reveals the bulge up front. Ay que lindo!

8. Mike Mangione (R) and Gerald Desfosses (see #2 above) (wrestling) (Just learned the photographer is Canadian Alan B. Stone - thanks for the info!)

9. John Hadnagy (light background)

10. Frank Giardina (black background)

Thoughts?

Please help me ID the other model with Mangione in #8 (he's so familiar), and find a better quality version of Giardina #10 (so beautiful!).  Any other ass-men out there?  Tell me about it. And again, Happy Birthday, mi vida, mi cielo, mi rey!!

Back

Mizer starts to gesture, then stops—no use from this angle.

“Turn your hips left… flatten your back to the camera… now look over your right shoulder.”

Wally shifts—just enough—and the light breaks across him, everything suddenly clear...perfect.

Mizer stills behind the lens, breath catching, a tear forming in his eye--David freed from the marble.

1. Walter Fife aka Bob Brown (gobo background)

Today’s theme was inspired by my friend Jerry at VintageMuscleMen and a recent post of Alvin Soco by George Dureau—a stunning study of the male back. It got me thinking about why this angle holds so much power. Without a face, there’s nothing to read, nothing to charm us. No chest, no front-facing cues. Just form.

2. Jack Harris (profile)

3. Jack Harte (in nature)

And that’s the point. The back becomes pure sculpture—the taper of the waist into the sweep of the lats, the shoulders widening out, the head resting on top like a final, quiet shape. Physique photographers knew this well, often cropping the image to focus only on those lines and volumes. 

4. Don Fuller (window)

5. Bill Melby (on the beach)

6. Bob McCune (gun show)

In the posing-strap era, this was also one of the few angles where nothing had to be hidden—technically nude, but still passing as form, not obscenity. It’s less about identity and more about structure, balance, proportion—light and shadow doing all the work.

7. Bruno (hairy bunz)

8. Davlin (curved seat)

There’s something else too. The back carries both strength and vulnerability. It’s where we bear weight, where labor shows, but also the place we can’t see or defend. I like these images for that reason—and for their simplicity. The way the light falls, the way the eye moves across the surface. And maybe because it feels safer to look…to take it in without being seen.

9. Ed Dinakos (tiled roof)

10. Harvey Catrell (in the pool)

Thoughts?

Thanks again, Jerry, for the inspiration;).  If you have a better version of the Melby image #10, please send my way.

Chest

Ed Dinakos kicks things off here in full Greek-god mode with that huge oiled chest, thick body hair, carved abs, and enough cleavage to make half the guys at the gym rethink their bench-press routine. 

1. Ed Dinakos - Jim French

From there we move through a lineup of classic pec-heavy studs including mustached beefcake Tex Murdock, pretty-boy movie star Steve Reeves, and old-school strongman Eugen Sandow flexing enough chest meat and washboard abs to satisfy pretty much every flavor of admirer.

2. Tex Murdock - Jim French

3. Steve Reeves

What interests me about the male chest is how universal the attraction seems to be across genders and orientations. Like eyes, lips, asses, hair, or legs, the chest sits in that funny crossover territory where almost everybody notices it. 

4. Eugen Sandow

5. Dan Lurie - Edward Townsend

The shape is obviously different than on women, but developed pecs — especially with a little cleavage, body hair, or visible definition through a tight t-shirt — carry their own kind of sex appeal. There’s a reason so many men have an entire “chest day” at the gym.

6. Mike Bradburn - Kris Studio

7. Gene Beloff - Bob Mizer

For me personally, a great chest hits a few different levels at once: sculptural, athletic, erotic, and comforting. Shirtless always gets a double take, but honestly sometimes a fitted t-shirt is even better. 

8. Bernard Naceri (I think the photographer's shadow is in the shot lower left)

9.  Barton Horvath - 1940 - I think photo credit says courtesy of Vic Bolt but I also found a nude self-portrait he took of himself online.  Beautiful man!

And beyond all the Greek-statue fantasy stuff, a nice chest also quietly says something simpler...this guy probably gives a really good hug.

10. Jean Beels - last but definitely not least...those eyes and that chest...bring it in;)

Thoughts?

Please offer any info or thoughts on this set and men's chests.

Happy April Fools Day!

This fake of Bart Forbes aka Adam Hammer of Colt went around the internet a few years ago.  I applaud the photoshop work for the fun fantasy, but Whoah!!  Really?!!

There was also one floating around of David Anderson with exaggerated big balls, which must've been taken down as this one was.  Any way, enjoy your April Fools Day y'all!!