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Monday, May 10, 2021
DrDerrol: Back on Track
DrDerrol
Normally at this time of year, DrDerrol is organizing dates for his summer trip home to Maine. I've been fortunate that Derrol has chronicled and shared his adventures through images and selfies, especially his naked hikes through the Maine woods. (HERE) Last year, as with so many, Derrol's trip had to be put on hold. Thanks to Covid, last summer marked the first time in 25 years that Derrol hadn't made it back home.
Although he could hike through Maine last summer, Derrol still managed to find some quiet places to hike, this time closer to his home in Southern California. This series was taken by a friend of Derrol's that he was hiking with. Derrol decided to put his hiking buddy to work. Although his friend was straight, and hadn't photographed anyone naked before, given the location, there were certain shots and areas, where selfies weren't really an option,. Thanks to Derrol, and his friend!
Taking Everything In: Gaston by Implicit Ditto
'People say I’m more quiet in person than they’d expect me to be. I think that’s because I am always taking everything in. One little detail can ruin an otherwise good shot for me. Like a twist in my jockstrap—ha! Silly I guess, but I get caught up on details like that.'
Given my love great imagery, especially when it's focused on the male form, I've become fairly astute at detecting the motives behind an image or shoot. Some artists don't really try to hide their intention to simply narrowly focus on body parts, usually one body part in particular. Other artists, the ones that I'm drawn to, and usually feature, have a broader focus. They look to capture not only a great body, but a piece or fragment of the man within. They consider the overall visual, the model directly right in front of them, as well as every detail which surrounds them..
While browsing Instagram last month, my quick scrolling came to a halt when I spotted one of Mike's (Implicit Ditto) images of Gaston. I was drawn in by not just one, but the San Francisco based artists attention to every detail within the visual. I think the vibrant red in Gaston's plaid shirt first drew my eye, quickly followed by his handsome face and his incredibly hot and hairy chest and legs.
It didn't stop there however, my attention remained transfixed, not only on Gaston, but on the location, lights and body of water behind him. Gaston's surroundings were almost as alluring as he was, and at first, I was sure it must be a fake background, brought through life by Mike with good lighting and editing. I of course, had to find out more.
Just as I couldn't scroll past Mike's image, Mike also stopped on Instagram to compliment Gaston on his profile and images. Mike also welcomed Gaston to get in touch if he was ever near the Bay Area and wanted to shoot. As luck would have it, a few months later Gaston was going to close for a family affair. His time however was limited, so Mike suggested a night shoot. Mike usually plans his shoots for the daytime hours, and relies on natural light, but given the color and textures of the cities lights, he thought t his would be the perfect opportunity to explore night shooting and test the combination of physique and the city's lights.
'It's almost always cool or chilly at night in San Francisco except for a rare heat wave. So the model will need to get in and out of clothes quickly. Then they need to stand completely still when shooting as a longer shutter speed of a couple seconds long is required for this kind of shot. Finding somewhere somewhat private is tremendously challenging, so lots of time is spent driving around trying to find a spot that might work. To compound that, unfortunately there are very few places in a large city that don't have either security personnel roaming around or security cameras pointing in every direction. We lucked out in a couple spots and I'm excited about what we were able to capture in the little time we had together.'
Unfortunately, as Mike predicted, the night of the shoot was pretty chilly. Gaston was freezing. Although it was cold, it was a nice November evening, meaning that in addition to the cold temperatures, Mike and Gaston had to deal with the many people out for their evening waterfront walks. Despite the challenges, Gaston managed not only to enjoy himself, but also proved a nice distraction from some of the stressors in his life.
'There I was sitting on a roof of a parking structure in a jockstrap. In most photos you sort of have to flex without making it seem like you're flexing— here I had to make it seem like I was not freezing my ass off. We did some shots by the water with my pants down. Again I’m not shy, but it’s always a little nerve racking when people approach or pass by. Most of the time people are unfazed. Especially in places like San Francisco.
I am very critical of photos of myself, I guess most of us are, but I’m a Virgo which I think compounds the issue. The weekend we did this shoot was the weekend of my brother’s wedding, and I was his best man. I was planning wedding morning breakfasts, coordinating 100 things, so it was good for me to take some time away from that— it’s easy to clear your head when you’re focusing on the shoot, the pose, the angles, etc. '
Blast from the Past: Michael O'Keefe
I've featured actor Michael O'Keefe previously on FH, but it was in a piece looking back at 1980's Caddyshack. I've never put the talented actor alone in the spotlight. During the 90's and 2000's O'Keefe was a fixture on television with appearances on shows including: The West Wing, Law and Order, Life's Work and CSI. Many, like myself, got to know O'Keefe from his turn as Jackie's boyfriend Fred on Roseanne.
O'Keefe actually began his career in the early 70's and appeared in shows like; The Waltons, Maude, Phyllis and M*A*S*H. O'Keefe also had a string of films successful films in the 70's and 80's including one of his most well known roles, as Danny in Caddyshack.
The Great Santini (1979)
It was another 80's flick that inspired this post however, a movie I hadn't seen or heard about until last week. Thanks to poster Hawthorne on DC, I was introduced to O'Keefe's turn in the 1984 film Finders Keepers. The scene is quick, just the briefest flash of butt, but it was notable none the less as I believe it's the actors only on screen nudity.
Roseanne (1993-1995)
Jackie : [chuckling] Well, Fred, don't worry... it's not that many. I'd - I'd saaay - three a year.
Fred : Since you were, what, eighteen?
Jackie: [getting defensive] Well, Fred! It's not *that* many! Three a year for 20 years is, 60 - wow.
Fred : Gawd... I don't even *know* 60 people.
Jackie : Well, I didn't *know* all of them.
'Guess I'm a little overdressed?'
Danny Noonan
In addition to looking hot in his tighty whities, this scene from Caddyshack was even hotter given O'Keefe was sporting an erection.
Finders Keepers (1984)
'On the run from the police and a female roller derby team, scam artist Michael Rangeloff steals a coffin and boards a train, pretending to be a soldier bringing home a dead war buddy. The train ride turns into far more than Michael bargains for.
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