Sunday, July 27, 2025

Favorite Pic of the Day for July 28th

Above:
-See More Below-

~Check out today's BIRTHDAYS HERE:~

Boys Just Wanna Have Sun! ☀️


What happens when a group of nude artists, photographers and models head to the beach???  You know the drill, head on over to the NEXT PAGE to find out! 

Crofty


'Why are you talking to me? I don't even know who you are.'
Ben Hope


Earlier this month I wrote about finally starting Heartstopper. (HERE:)  I had quickly finished the first two seasons, but was trying to put off watching season 3.  I caved last night and watched the first 2 episodes.  I'm not sure I'm loving the darker tone, but understand the driving plotline for the season is an important part of the story.

I'm also sort of missing Ben Hope, actor Sebastian Croft, who does not appear in the shows third season.  I know Ben is supposed to be a 'bully' but he provided some great drama, and was a part of some wonderful scenes in the two previous seasons.  Croft is also exceptional in the role, especially when he gives Nick (Kit Connor) those smarmy grins.


I struggled a lit bit with how the 'bullies' were portrayed in Heartstopper.  I know the show is an idealized version of young gay love, but neither Ben, or Harry, (Cormac Hyde-Corrin) seem especially menacing, at least not to me.  Ben was certainly slimy for sure, and the damaging, emotional impact on Charlie, (Joe Locke) was realistic and very well done. But both Ben and Harry however seemed redeemable, and both were shown to have grown beyond who they were when we first met them.

Croft with Charlie Besso

I guess it stems from my own experiencing with bullying.  Harry and Ben's behavior was nothing compared to some of the experiences I went through.  I wasn't bullied much in school, it was a little closer to home and the impact, as it was with Charlie, was long lasting.  Ben and Harry also both eventually asked for forgiveness, something I unfortunately, never experienced.  

I thought one of Ben's last scenes was especially heartbreaking.  Without forgiveness, and alone, the rainbow just wasn't able to reach him.  A beautifully poignant and incredibly sad moment.  If there is a Heartstopper movie, I do kind of hope we get a scene with Ben out and proud.

Those legs!

Sebastian Croft on Instagram

Instinctually

Flesh seduces. Passion kills

Today, it's almost instinctual to question what we see on screen, especially when it comes to nude scenes.  With all the AI and computer generated penis' and body parts, you never know whether the actor's whose body you're enjoying,, is actually really them at all.

Back in the early 90's however, we tended to accept that what we saw on screen was planned, and when it came to nudity, was also actually real.  1992's Basic Instinct however, gave movie nude scene lovers plenty to ponder.   Of course the big question was whether Sharon Stone knew about that infamous police interrogation scene.  I think most believe she actually did, but it made for more than a few creative headlines.

The second question were asking, and still asking today.  Was it really the penis of Michael Douglas we see briefly flopping around in the scene in the gif above....  I always thought it was Michael's, but a recent thread on Dreamcap had me asking the question.  Douglas didn't seem to have a problem with nudity, but it's possible given how it was shot, it was sock covered.

What I didn't know when I read the Dreamcap thread, or at least I didn't remember, was that there was a Basic Instinct 2.  I never saw it, but after seeing caps of the British hottie, (and his amazing ass) I had to check it out.  You know the drill, if you want to check out more, head on over to the NEXT PAGE to see caps and a video clip from the film.

Enduring Excellence: Levi by New Manhattan Studios


'Like a meteor, blazing quickly through the night sky.' 


I didn't intend to, but I've found myself writing quite a bit lately about change.  Maybe it's because it's the summer, and as I discussed in another piece today, summers can often symbolize change.  Change is of course always central to story, and since FH is rooted in story, it's understandable that it comes up from time to time.  As a writer, it's always important to make sure that any changes in a specific character make sense.  That any drastic or abrupt changes are explained through experience, life events or backstory.


Although FH make appear immutable, at least visually, there have been many changes in the way I put the site together.  The ways I contact and connect with artists and models, to the way many wish to promote or spotlight their work.  There were no OnylFans or similar sites when FH began. Even the rise, (and sometimes fall)  of certain social media sites came over the course of the run of the blog.

I think that's one of the reasons I cling to the format of the site.  Despite calls, even from inside the house, to update, I like the consistency and clean look of outstanding images illuminated by a solid black background.  I've also grown to especially appreciate the enduring excellence of of photographers whose work stands the test of time.  One of those artists is definitely Wes from New Manhattan Studios.


I first featured Wes' work back in 2012, and the care, skill and excellence that he put into his work was evident then, and I believe even more so now.  Through the many creative collaborations for the site, I've learned a lot about Wes' process, his standards and even his rules.  Nothing goes out until Wes feels it's ready, which means the editing and post production process is fundamental as the shoot itself. 

Just as I've experienced with FH, Wes, and most of the photographers that I feature, also have to deal with change.  I think one of the most appreciable changes I've noticed, is how artists present and promote their work.  Long gone are the days when purchasing physical images directly from a photographer was the norm.  Although many photographers still sell images directly, most have also added other ways to exhibit and share their work.


One of my favorite formats is the 'photobook'.  Unlike buying a subscription to a site, one that has clicking button after button, photo essay allow you make a one-time purchase.  You don't have to worry about unsubscribing or additional charges, and you can focus on what you really want to see.  Beyond just seeing a few images, photo essays allow artists to tell a deeper and more involved story of their work with a specific model.


The focus of this photo essay is the lovely Levi.  When I was going through the model folders on the New Manhattan Studio website, I zoomed almost directly onto Levi's portfolio, and quickly clicked to enter.  Levi's muscular physique was tight and toned and I loved the emotion and expression from his handsome face and beautiful blue eyes.  

Although I'm not always a lover of tats, I was strangely drawn to Levi's. I especially loved the stems on his lower abdomen, the serpent wrapped around his arm.  Then of course, there's that adorable toadstool on Levi's equally adorable behind.  There are others I'm sure that some of you have zoomed in to check out.


'I worked with Levi twice. The first time. Logan Hart (A/K/A Logan with the Red Hair) was the second cameraman. Marc French assisted at the session done a month later in his loft. Between 4 cameras trained on him at 2 sessions, We ended up with over 6,000 raw images.'


NMS was one of the first studios to shoot with Levi when he arrived in New York, but sadly Levi's modeling career seems to have ended as quickly as it began.  It wasn't due to lack of work, Levi certainly didn't seem to have any issues booking shoots and lining up gigs. 


Modeling is certainly not for everyone, and not everyone finds it a fit. Levi, and his beloved puppy, did struggle to find decent and affordable housing, especially somewhere that welcomed pets. This shoot with Wes and NMS, took place about month after Levi arrived in the city.  Although he and his pup stayed with Wes while they shot, all of the bouncing around had Levi a bit discouraged.


Wes shares that in addition to having a beautifully proportioned and toned physique, Levi was bright, incredibly sweet and personable.  At just 22 however, like so many, had gone through his share of struggles. Sometimes a boy and his dog just want a place to call home, and Wes recently heard that Levi may have headed back home and resume his work as an EMT.

With over 6000 raw images to choose from, it took awhile for Wes to narrow down his favorites to edit and publish.  He recently completed his photo essay spotlighting the studios work with Levi, all of Levi, in a 40 page photo book that you can buy instantly, (PDF) version, or order in hard copy as a magazine.  You can check-out and preview more on NMS HERE: or directly on Blurb HERE:







Saturday, July 26, 2025

Favorite Pic of the Day for July 27th

Above:

~Check out today's BIRTHDAYS HERE:~

Seasonal Sightings:

Back Issues: Playguy, September 1999

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Random Exposures: Seas The Day! 🐬


So, I put my hands up 
They're playing my song, 
the butterflies fly away



When I first began going through this series of images, I couldn't help but think of the fan video that David Fudge made for the song Party in the U.S.A.  If you haven't seen his take on the Miley Cyrus hit, you can check it out on YouTube HERE:  In the video, a group of hot friends dance and play in the Ocean, harking back to those care free beach days so many of us remember when we were younger.


Carefree beach days don't belong just to kids, but once you've started your twenties, and are out of school, summers definitely change.  Once you have a job, you don't really have those longer, two month summer vacations.  When I was kid, they seemed to go on forever with countless days at the beach.   Still, if you're lucky, you can still grab a week or two, or even just a day or two, of carefree summer beach fun.


It was that carefree fun element that drew me to his series.  The shots were saved and shared by George from Random Exposures.  I've featured George's work both behind, and in front of the camera many times on FH, and for this shoot, he's once again pulling double duty.  If you don't immedeately recognize George, he's the only naked hottie wearing anything, and in this case, it's only a pair of eyeglasses. 


Unlike the guys in the Party in the U.S.A video, this group of men were not really all friends.  Some were random strangers who came together for a day of artistic and naked fun.  George remember finding out about the shoot from photographer Charlie Archer.   Long time readers of the site might remember my previous posts featuring Archer's work. (HERE:)  The shoot however, was actually organized by fotorebelxt , another favorite, and long time collaborator to the site. You can check more work by fotorebelxt on FH HERE:


Some of you I'm sure might recognize the location, and the bridge in the background.  Marshall's Beach in San Francisco is a clothing-optional beach. It's known for it's secluded spots, and its views of the Golden Gate Bridge and is a perfect spot for nude sunbathing, no to mention the odd nude photoshoot. The beach is accessible via a hiking trail from Baker Beach and is known for its rugged beauty and natural features.


Both George and Charles were going to be in town for Folsom weekend. The went to the shoot along with another photographer friend of George's. Bruce Alexander. Also along for the fun were three guys visiting from the Netherlands and a couple of local guys, all two had arrived for Folsom.  Some of these images were shot by George himself, but most of those with him in them, were captured by fotorebelxt.


George remembers that a creative creative connection formed between the group as soon as the shoot began.  Some of the men were gay, some were bi and some were straight, but none of that mattered in the least.  What they all had in common was a love of being naked and the desire to celebrate community.  These themes, along with their mutual love of the expression of sexual liberation, were not only themes of the day, but the festival they were all there to attend.


Although George had plenty of experience shooting nude, this was his first time shooting with a group of other nude men.   George certainly had posed for groups before, usually rooms filled with clothed art students, but this was the first time stripping down as part of a group.  Like so many others, one of the initial and instinctual feelings George had, was sizing himself up compared to the other men he was posing with.


The Dutch Duo

'I do remember feeling kind of average compared to those Dutch guys who were definitely hung. Bruce and Charlie were also in the average category with me. It ended up being sort of funny, that it was us with average junk, who were doing most of the shooting with the well endowed ones' 😊