Above:
Lucas by Cooks Photography
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Tuesday, March 3, 2020
The Causality Dilemma: Lucas by Cooks Photography
'It's the man behind the music
It's the singer not the song'
Survivor
The classic chicken or egg question is a causality dilemma used to determine consequence and responsibility. The question examines the relationship between one person or event with another second person or event. The dilemma is figuring out how much the first person or event connects or determines what happens with the second.
In the case of images of the male form, the first person event is the photographer or the photoshoot and the second, the model and final image. Music groups Survivor and The Rolling Stones both sang about, and then decided, that it was the singer not the song. With photography, the question is a little more complex. When you have an incredible visual like the rocky mountains, Niagara Falls, or a stunning sunset, almost anyone with a camera, can pull off getting a decent capture. With a human subject however, even an incredibly hot model doesn't necessarily guarantee a hot shot.
It's always frustrating as a viewer to see a beautiful model poorly capture. Working on FH, I have come across many weak shots of hot model. In some cases the model may have been awkward, or felt uncomfortable, or it's obvious the photographer was looking to focus on body parts, and not the male form in it's entirety. Unlike a sunset, photography of the male form depends on the connection between the artist and their subject.
The connection isn't necessarily just social, sure they may talk, get to know each other and discuss shared creative concepts. The connection I'm speaking of however, isn't really verbal, it's more that sense an artist has for how best to capture the specific individual in front of them. These artists instinctively know what poses, what angles, what set-ups will best spotlight both a models physique, and glimpse into their sensuality essence.
Every time I feature the work of California photographer Hal Cooks, I'm amazed at his ability to weave body and sensuality and how his shots peel away the surface veneer shooting erotically organic captures of the models in front of his camera. Hal does this in various ways, the most notable being his passion for lines and curves.
'Not all photographers utilize the architectural beauty the lines and curves the male form are capable of creating, but it's something I have been especially loving in so much of Hal's work. Many focus on specific body parts, ignoring the dynamic visuals possible when focused on the overall systemic beauty of the human body.'
Through his use of pose and his eye for lines and curves, Hal manages to create images with models who move and pose like dancers, even though they're not. Lucas has no dance or movement training in back ground, and Hal describes his demeanor as casual and very laid back during the shoot Despite his causal demeanor, the amateur model, dad and father.is is captivating in front of the lens. Lucas' eyes certainly play a role, but more notably, it's the manner in which Hal so elegantly visualizes, poses and captures his subjects.
Cooks Photography on FH:
Eddie Cahill: The One with Rachel's Assistant
'I like your teeny tiny tooshie'
Rachel Green
Friends
Catching an old re-run of Friends last week, I was reminded of the engaging charm, and the massive adorability factor of actor Eddie Cahill. I first noticed Cahill as the bisexual Sean on a season 3 episode of Sex and the City, the same year he began his short stint on Friends. Cahill's turn as Tag Jones was short but memorable, and was briefly in the running to be the father of Rachel's baby.
Cahill's popularity as Tag lead to a string of roles on The WB. The network tried hard to find a home for the actor, starting with guest shots on Charmed, Felicity and Dawson's Creek. Cahill nabbed the lead in the series Demontown (later renamed Glory Days) but the series only lasted 9 episodes. Created by Dawson's Creek creator Kevin Williamson, Glory Days was originally conceived as to be similar to Dawson's Creek, but the pilot was re-shot at the networks request to add a more mysterious and supernatural feel.
After his turn on the WB, it was back to network television for long term stints on CSI: New York and guest starring roles on Hawaii Five-0, Conviction NCIS: New Orleans and Under The Dome. I've never watched a CSI, so Cahill's turn as Tag was the last time I really saw him on TV, but judging by some recent promotional shots, he has't lost a bit of his appeal.
Sex And The City (2000)
Demontown (2002)
The clip from Demontown above comes from the original pilot, before changes were made for series. Thanks to Scenes of Male Skin for the rare clip.
Miracle 2004
CSI New York (2004-2013)
Conviction (2016-2017)
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