Favorite Pic of the Day for August 25th

Above:

Dakota by Studio1x

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~Check out today's BIRTHDAYS HERE: & HERE:~

Seasonal Sightings:

Just For Fun:

'If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun.'

I noticed the amount of image in my CMNM/CFNM folder were getting a little out of hand.  I also noticed a theme in so many of the shots I'd saved. Perfect time for a photo dump:  Check out more on FH HERE:

A Vintage Vantage: Helmsley Wright

Recently I came across an image on-line of three bodybuilders from what I'm guessing was the 1950's.  Although many classic physique photographers shot body builders, rarely do you see them posing nude together.  Even rarer is to find three black body builders posing together in a professional poses and in a non-sexual way.  

I'm always so fascinated by models and photographers who shot nudes in a time before it was even legal.  Even more impressed with black men working in an industry that didn't always welcome them.  It was risky for white artists and models, but for men of color, the risk was even greater. One of the models in focus was Helmsley Wright, an African-American professional bodybuilder who competed throughout the 1940's and 1950's.  

Wright is best known for competing during a foundational era of American bodybuilding.  Although there were a few integrated competitions, Wright mostly competed alongside other prominent Black bodybuilders. While some integrated contests occurred under the[Amateur Athletic Union.  (AAU) Systemic racism prevented Black athletes from winning major titles like Mr. America, with no Black competitor claiming the crown until 1970.

The nude shots featured Wright alongside fellow bodybuilders Wilbur Gaillard & Julian Jackson.  The nudes were taken by legendary physique photographer Lon Hanagan (known professionally as Lon of NY).  Wright built a world-class, classically proportioned physique during an era when the sport's governing institutions deeply discriminated against minority athletes. 

Wright with fellow bodybuilders Wilbur Gaillard & Julian Jackson

While mainstream competitions of his era often denied equal recognition to African-American lifters, Wright's physique remains preserved through historic physique photography. His work helped pave the way for future generations of Black bodybuilders.  I'd love to know how Wright ended up shooting nude alongside the two other bodybuilders.  I'm guessing there's a great story there!

The Peel of the Plaid: Dakota by Studio1x

'Dakota was really fun to work with. These shots were from the second time I worked with him. He’s a very down to earth blue collar worker and very comfortable posing fully nude.'

Jim, Studio1x

I'm guessing most regular FH readers know how much I love a reveal.  Nudes are great of course!  For me however, my appreciation of the male form in focus is intensified when the shoot begins with the model clothed.  One my all-time favorite chroniclers of 'the reveal' is Jim from Studio1x.

Jim didn't necessarily intend to photograph so many reveals, but if you check out my previous posts featuring his work, you know he captured a sensual supply of strips.   Jim's initial goal was to provide his model with a 'complete' portfolio, showing a variety of looks, themes and emotional impressions.  

To accomplish this,, Jim requests that models bring several different outfits to their shoots, featuring a variety of different colors, styles and looks.  Given the models end up posing fully nude,  between each outfit change, they're peeling off the clothes they just posed in.  Jim captures this part of the creative process with the same degree of attention as he does with the clothed, and fully nude parts of the shoot.

Earlier this year, I had a 'story' idea for Mother's Day.  I needed a model with a series of shots spotlighting a reveal.   Given his proficiency with capturing reveals, I asked him if he had a shoot I could use for the holiday post. (HERE:)  I ended up using Jim's work with Jake, as the images were more of a fit with the story direction.   One of the options that Jim sent on however, were these images of Dakota.  I could not of course, let the opportunity to share them pass me by.

Some FH readers I'm guessing recognize Dakota from a previous post.  Dakota had another plaid reveal in a St. Paddy's Day post Jim shot for the site back in 2019.  (HERE:)  In that piece, Dakota was wearing another plaid, a kilt made with the Irish tartan.  Of course Dakota lifted his kilt to ensure viewers he was being traditional, wearing it 'regimental' sans any underwear. 

Of course, most great reveals end with all of the models clothing peeled and revealed.  In the next part of the shoot, Dakota ditches those black undies and heads to his bed.  Check out those shots, and more of Jim's work with Dakota on THE NEXT PAGE HERE:

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