Ten: POTD 2010

Although Pic of the Day's with male butts were still a staple, 2010 was the year FH as we now know officially came together. I always envisioned the site as an on-line magazine and my five post a day layout was cemented by the end of 2010. Staring with the magazine's cover, (POTD) followed by Birthdays, 2 supporting stories and the main artist, model or performers profile.

Image from WagnerLA

There have been times since 2010 that I have thought of altering the format, dropping the birthdays, posting fewer stores or posting more or less often, ultimately I find the format suits my style and allows me to fit in all of the things I want to cover each day. I continue to have a love/hate relationship with the Birthday feature. Some days it is a chore, other days, it has become my favorite part of working on the blog, especially if I'm able to find a great new shot of the Birthday boy.

Image from Xtavier_Paris

Photographer and model profiles became a daily staple with the POTD and main story tying together for pretty much every day's posts. Photographers who first appeared or were covered in 2010 included Wagner LA, Xtavier_Paris, David Arnot, Ev Dylan, Zedneram, Michael Stokes, Flyfoto, John M Clum, Haringman+, Bryan Motely, Leigh Carter and y first post featuring msbimages. Several photographers became regular contributors including Michael Puff, Bill McClaren, LightWeaver and Scott Barnes.

Image from David Arnot

Image from Ev Dylan

Image from Michael Puff

Image from Zedneram

2010 also marked the debut o FH of Barnsbury Studio. This was noteworthy as the artist behind Barnsbury is photographer Angus Malcolm who has gone to shoot the Warwick Rowers calendars the last 6 six years. I featured Angus' work with other models, I especially loved Boys at the Lumina. In November of 2010, featured his first shoot for Warwick.

Image from Barnsbury Studio

Models and performers were also favorites in 2010 and I tried when possible, to work directly with the model or actor on their stories. Some of the men making their FH debuts in 2010 were Ryan Murray, Nick Ayler, Steve Raider, Brad Ouellette and Brett Gleason. Thanks to Chris Tell, we also saw the first appearances of FH favorites Claudiu and Samuel Boux.

Ryan Murray

Nick Ayler

Claudiu

Samuel Boux

Boys At The Lumina by Angus Malcolm

'Male erotica suffers badly from over stylization, over sexualisation and in turn loses much of its artistic integrity in the process'

Angus Malcolm

At the end of last summer I had the pleasure of coming across the work of Angus Malcolm from Barnsbury Studio. I have covered Angus' work in several post since which included a selection of my favorite shots (HERE:), his work with model Tom R (HERE:) and his work with the Warwick Rowing Team (HERE:).

'Back when I was pursuing photography, my vision of what my work would look like paralleled the way Barnsbury shoots his models. Simple,clean images with basic backgrounds and fashion used to make the model look good, not the other way around. Barnsbury's models also look real, with natural looking make-up and minimal manscaping.'

I wrote the paragraph above in my first profile of Angus's work. I love the simplicity of forum so beautifully showcased in his work. Angus discusses the difference between naturalism and illusion within male erotica and although there is an element of illusion in every photo, his work clearly focuses on the natural rather than the stylized.

Lumina is the name of an apartment building in Sydney’s Darlinghurst. A recent trip to Sydney inspired Angus to create a portfolio of the unique individuals that make up the city, the distinct summer light and the serenity of the harbour. Those images are now a part of a Angus' first Australian exhibition, MARDI GRAS - HOT IN THE CITY beginning February 17th at the Iain Dawson Gallery in Syndey.

Check out more, including how you can purchase some of the shot at the Iain Dawson Gallery website HERE:

All I Want For Christmas...

Well Christmas is exactly one week away. If you are one of those late shoppers (like me) here are a few gift suggestions that just might do the trick. I have posted about most of the products before and own each of the (although still awaiting Lust to arrive) so can recommend them from first hand knowledge. Some are available on Amazon so would actually make it to you on time.

-Books-

Above: Lust by Ev Dylan
Check out my post on Lust HERE: and order your own copy HERE:


Above: Erotic Dreams by David Vance
You can order the book and calendar from Amazon HERE:
David Vance on FH:


Above: RED by Dylan Rosser
Buy RED on Amazon
RED on FH


Above: Pioneers by Rick Day (including my favorite shot and favorite model from Pioneers Cameron Bailey).
Pioneers on Amazon:
Pioneers on FH


Above: The Mark Grantham collection: Check them all out HERE:
Mark Grantham on FH:

-Calendars-
Finding the right calendar can be a difficult task but here are three of my favorites:

Above: Leather & Lace by by Thomas Synnamon
You can order the calendar HERE: and check out my post about it HERE:


Above: Boys of Summer by Byron Motley
Order the calendar HERE: and check out my post HERE:


Above: Warwick Rowing Team by Barnsbury Studio
Check out the previous post HERE: and order your own copy HERE:
(Note: The shot above is actually from the 2010 edition, but it is a favorite shot of mine and was my screen saver for awhile).

DVD'S


Many of you remember I tried my best to save last seasons Accidentally on Purpose on CBS. Unfortunately the show only last one season (damn you CBS) but that season is out on DVD. Not only is their plenty of skin (thanks to Jon Foster & company) there are also plenty of laughs. I miss the cast, especially Lennon Parham and Nicolas Wright who were stand outs. I also want to thank the cast and especially series creator Claudia Lonow for being so great to FH, including sending on the shot below last Christmas just for FH. You can buy the complete series on Amazon HERE:


Above: Ashley Jensen, Pooch Hall, Lennon Parham
Jenna Elfman, Jon Foster, Nicolas Wright.

Favorite Pic of the Day for November 19th

Above: Henrik Jessen by Barnsbury Studio. (See more of Barnsbury Studio's work below!).

Warwick Rowing Team by Barnsbury Studio

This past September I discovered the work of Angus Malcolm of Barnsbury Studios. I fell in love with the way he shot his models. Clean, classic, simple shots. I did two posts, one featuring a variety of images (HERE) and another with actor and model Tom R, (HERE) one of my favorite guys shot by Angus.

Barnsbury studios just completed a great new project, shooting a calendar for the senior men's rowing team at Warwick, one of the UK's top universities. Angus said the shoot was different fro his normal normal style of shooting, 'less fashion-oriented, less studio lighting', but, the images are really spectacular, encompassing the same magic Angus brings to his studio work.



Since the success of Stade, this time of year, many sports teams come out with calendars. I must say this one is without a doubt my favorite. While I loved the first few years of the Stade calendars, they seemed to have forgotten the reason many of us were so in love with the first few versions. Angus Malcolm's work for Warwick actually has the look, feel, even smell of University and although posed, the models and shots look like they were captured in a real moment and not one created by make up and wind machines. The Warwick team looks natural and Angus captures them beautifully.



The University of Warwick Boat Club is a large and highly active sports club with substantial ambitions. Substantial ambitions, mean substantial costs. Following the overwhelming response to their first naked calendar in 2010, Warwick University's senior rowing team have stripped off again. Over a dozen of the rowers are baring all to raise much-needed funds to meet the needs of the club for the 2011 year.

Thanks to Angus Malcolm from Barnsbury Studios for sharing some of the calendar with FH! Be sure to check out more of Barnsbury's work on MM HERE:

To learn more about the Warwick Rowing Club or to order your own calendar, visit the Warwick Rowing Site HERE: and the Calendar page HERE:

Favorite Pic of the Day for September 6th

Great shot of model Alex Nardell by Barnsbury Studio. See more of the work of Barnsbury Studio below!

More from Barnsbury Studio

2 shots above: _Paul V_

Here are more of my favorite shots from London's Barnsbury Studio. Simple, clean, bright and sexy shots!

Alex Nardell


'I focus on photographing the male, encompassing everything from commercial print through portraits to art nudes. At the moment, I am particularly keen to explore creating fresh, edgy images with models who want to develop their fashion, fitness and commercial print portfolios.'
Barnsbury Studio

Davey H.


Tom


Elia17


Henrik Jessen




ohcanada


Oliver Kalaitzis



Robert McCarry


Tz Fletcher