'I love photography. Call me a control freak, but I love looking at the world through a viewfinder, where it isolates the chaos into a manageable little rectangle I can control. I look for abstract patterns in detail, the "touchy-ness" of surfaces viewed so closely their "thingness" disappears; for bursts of rich color in expected and unexpected places; for textures and details.'
Evan Butterfield
Since beginning FH six years ago, I have seen the male form captured in many different locations and many different ways. In costume, on roof tops, on the side of buildings, on mountains and in holes, in abandoned banks, mind shafts and decaying buildings. I have found that often, the method or theme, which an artist chooses to shoot a model is more about the artist themselves than the subject in front of their lens. It is usually connected with another of their passions, or in other cases, incorporates something about themselves, or something they want to say, subtly within the imagery.
When first viewing the work of Long Beach California photographer Evan Butterfield, it was not just the models that drew my attention. With these images, it was also the objects incorporated within. In fact, with some of Evan's work, the object visually drew me in first, then my attention expanded to the model and image as a whole. Evan incorporates various props, everything from fruit and vegetables to cast iron teapots, cameras, masks and neck ties (see post below) on, with and in front of the men he captures.
Below: Andre
Below: Andre
'I see the props not as storytelling devices, but as counterpoints to the traditional nude model, that can be used to hide some parts while at the same time drawing attention to the model's nakedness.'
James
The correlation between Evan's desire for control, and the use of objects is interesting to me. In many ways, the objects act as visual bait that Butterfield uses to lure your attention to where he wants you to look first. Even though you may be looking at a naked man, your brain is visually telling you 'grapes'. The contrast is fascinating and in some images, the object also connects both the model and the viewer to the tone and feel of the piece.
The object can also acts as a focus for the model. When standing alone, naked in front of the camera, it can often be difficult to focus thought and movement. Having a prop, even something small to touch and hold can help tunnel energy making the experience seem more relaxing and casual.
Shane
'I've always been surrounded by photography. My grandfather was a small-town professional photographer (he specialized in gauzy portraits of Gladiolus Festival Queens and beaming local brides). He had a shingle hung in front of his house with a big, garish, Gothic "B" on it announcing "Butterfield Photography," so I come by the name honestly. My great-uncle was an aerial photo analyst in WWII, and my father, not one to take retirement sitting down, is a photographer for a local suburban Chicago newspaper. Anyway, it's no surprise how I've gotten to this point. Photography's not my day job, but it's an important part of my life.'
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