A Piece Of Art: Teak by MaleVisionS Photography

'It is a joy to be around art and to do my part in contributing to it. I have control of my body; Seeing that control, embodied in various artistic mediums, is thrilling.'

Teak

There have always been people who seem to lack the ability to distinguish the difference between art and porn. For many, any visual depiction of a breast, butt or vagina, heaven forbid a penis, are thrown into the category of porn. Although there are many artists who thankfully like to push the boundaries, many of us believe what separates art from porn has nothing to do with a naked body. For me, it has always been about intent, the pose and especially the face.

Arousal seems to confuse some even further. Both art and porn can be arousing, erotic and sexual. Art requires it's audience to enjoy, appreciate and hold on to that feeling, at least for awhile. Porn on the other hand, demands you act upon that feeling, and the sooner the better. How many times have we seen an image of a model where their eyes, their mouth, and their facial expression turn an image into something raunchy, even though the model is fully or partially clothed. On the other hand, you have images like this set of Teak by MaleVisionS. Teak's poses and facial expressions, even though erotic and provocative, are done to create not just a physical reaction, but an emotional one as well. Porn connects the viewer to a body, art connects the viewer to a person.

'Through modeling, I hope to normalize nudity. Some of the shots I have taken are not intended to be erotic, for there is beauty in the form of the human body that transcends seduction. Its not necessarily that I think my photos aren't erotic, but they’re not pornographic. There is a proper medium between fake or over-sexualized material and emotionless forms. That is where I try to be. It's also just fun to see how contorting my body produces in a shot. Modeling can be complex. With communication between model and photographer, shadows, textures, lighting, poses, and many more factors that can affect a shot, both the model and the photographer need to be very conscious to produce quality work.'

Teak

I love the way Teak uses his body to create living sculptures. Teak and Dan (MaleVisionS) skilfully avoid any unnecessary clutter, thus, avoiding any barriers in connecting model with emotion and of course, viewer. When asked what body part gets the most attention, Teak shares that he gets a lot of comments about his back, butt, and penis as well as how his eyes interact with the viewer. The 23 year old Tuscan model's long lean body comes from staying active, but not through daily work out routines or lifting weights. 'I think that an active lifestyle, mental health, and a diet focused on local products produce a beautiful body. By normalizing nudity, we can promote health and destroy the entrenched fear of the human body.' Teak's desire to normalize the nude male form can be challenging, especially with the myriad of offers nude male models often receive.

'Somebody asked if I wanted to do a bondage scene in a shower for a short film. I considered the offer, but I feel like nude modeling edges between porn and figure modeling. I would rather focus my work on the body, or art in the human form. This is in part because of my intent to show people that the human body is a piece of art, not something worthy of shame.'

Teak

'Teak is a natural. As soon as the first strobe fired he was "on". While I initially gave him direction it became clear to me early on that I should just shut up and turn him loose. I did just that and the results speak for themselves. What a great morning it was. I have had the privilege of shooting Teak on two more occasions and each shoot was more fun and rewarding than the one before. I have been shooting figure study for 20 years and in that time I can count on one hand the times I have had a model bring to the shoot more than just a beautiful physique. It is something that I cannot describe other than to say I know the model has this added talent as soon as the first strobe fires. Teak has this talent and is just a joy to shoot.'

MaleVisionS

MaleVisionS' Dan Nelson works hard to create an environment in which the model is comfortable and relaxed, especially when shooting nudes. 'It has been my experience if the model is uncomfortable with the photographer, it shows in the images.' Teak was referred to Dan by photographer friend who felt Teak had great potential as a figure study model. The first time they shot, Dan's had no shooting plan in mind other than getting him in front of the his camera to see where their imaginations make take them. The results of there first shoots can be seen in the last two black and white shots at the bottom. Dan's philosophy of shooting a figure study is that the process is a collaborative one and works hard to to ensure the models he shoots are engaged in the process.

'Working with MalevisionS was pretty smooth since I had already modeled once previously and knew what the camera would read from the shadows on my body. Dan made a comfortable atmosphere and coached me through the poses with compliments and mild coaxing. The first shoot was on a thick cloth so I flowed through poses and the material allowed me to truly relax. The second shoot was similarly relaxed, but the grey backdrop made me feel more icy. The shots showed my poses were more striking and the angles of my body, sharper. Dan is talkative and direct when he sees something that looks right, while I’m moving around on the set. Good communication leads to good prints!'

Teak

Teak on ModelMayhem

MaleVisionS

MaleVisionS on ModelMayhem

As Good As It Gets: Van by MaleVisionS Photography

'The first time I shot Van I thought his physique was about as good as you could get. But I was wrong. Five years later he looks incredible.'

MaleVisionS Photography

The images featured here are from both of photographer Dan Nelson's (MaleVisionS) shoots with Van. Most of the color shots are from their first shoot, and the black and whites are primarily from their second shoot. If you look closely, the only differences are in Van's face, his body as Dan noted, looks incredible in both.

Van's physique comes from more than just hours and hours at the gym, but the time he puts into his passion for boxing and kickboxing. Van body is also a walking bill board for his work as both a personal trainer, and as a boxing and kickboxing instructor.

In order to achieve the incredible results you see, Van has trained in many disciplines including; Taekwondo, bodybuilding, power lifting as well as strength & conditioning. Van also practices Wing Chun, a Chinese martial art and form of self-defense utilising both striking and grappling while specializing in close range combat.

'Van's physique is almost as amazing as his personality. There is nothing phony about this guy. In some cases these gifted men can become somewhat Diva's during a shoot which I will put up with to a point but Van knows how to work the camera and also will take direction with a smile. He is a total professional. I hope others enjoy his work as much as I enjoyed shooting it.'

Dan captures Van in beautifully strong classical physique poses, along with blending in his own unique style and themes. If you search MaleVisionS on FH, you will see that I have featured the Arizona photographers work using many of the elements that he weaves within his imagery. From the plain white towel, to his use of various styles of modern and antique chairs, you can see, especially from the shot above, how skillfully Dan uses these elements to best spotlight the male form in front of his camera.

MaleVisionS Photography

MaleVisionS Photography on ModelMayhem

Getting It Right: Cody by MaleVisionS Photography

I am however, never satisfied. Consequently, I will continue shooting nude men (and wilderness) until I get it right!'

MaleVisionS

Last week I had the pleasure of featuring Arizona photographer Dan Nelson (MaleVisionS) and his work with the incredible Teak (A Piece Of Art) It was after seeing one of Dan's black and white nudes of Teak that I was inspired to contact him about about a piece on FH. Teak and Dan actually had another shoot scheduled for that week and the resulting images made up of the majority of the images I featured.

Dan says he is always on the hunt to find that one model that the camera just loves. 'The one that when you turn on the modeling lights he's suddenly "on" and you start popping those strobes and the session becomes a dance of creativity as the model instinctively knows what you want and where the first shot you take is incredible and everyone after that is even better!' I am not entirely convinced there is necessarily a one, or one's. In the hands of a skilled artist, the right artist, I think magic can occur even if the model is not quite the one.

I definitely saw that magic in his work with Teak, and I saw it again over and over when spending time with Dan's extensive portfolio. When I was working on the story with Teak, Dan invited me to view more of his work and let him know if there were other models I was interested in featuring. There were, many in fact. But... if you scroll down to the end of this piece, (and you should) there was this black and white image of a model naked on a bed. What made me want to feature Cody, the model in the bed, was not just his great body, but that incredible smile. That smile is pure magic and had me certain that as far as who to choose to feature next, Cody was the one.

One of the reasons I love learning about the shooting process is that added level of enjoyment when viewing an artists images. Unlike Teak, whose body moved elegantly and naturally in front of Dan's lens, with Cody, Dan found himself needing to provide a bit more direction. Dan shot the 19 year old model on two occasions, the first was more of an opportunity for Cody and Dan to get comfortable working together. Although new to modeling, Cody didn't seem to have any issues with getting naked in front of the camera, but for the first shoot, Dan chose not to shoot Cody fully naked and instead focused on form and pose. 'This is not unusual for me as my creative process kind of feeds off of the model and it sometimes doesn't include total nudity and that's okay with me.'

Like any job, some models have a passion and an instinct for the artistic piece. How to move their bodies naturally to help the photographer create memorable images. Dan says that although Cody relaxed and comfortable, Dan worked a bit harder coming up with poses and shots to maximize Cody's obvious assets and that incredible smile. Cody worked hard, putting in great effort to help Dan in getting the shots he wanted and I think the results speak to the fortitude and determination Dan and Cody demonstrated. Dan kept his focus on Cody's incredible body, (that butt!) his beautiful face and lips.  He also wisely kept those beautiful baby blue eyes front and center in practically every shot.

'I would shoot Cody again in a heartbeat and be happy with his effort. I truly believe all of my models are "stars" and I'm proud to have worked with them.'

MaleVisionS Photography

MaleVisionS Photography on ModelMayhem

Could Have Stooled Me: Isaac by MaleVisionS Photography

'Savor the throne but don't mind the stool.'

Steve Winwood

When I first saw MaleVisionS images of Isaac, it wasn't the stool that grabbed my attention. In addition to shooting many incredibly stunning men, MaleVision Photography's' Dan always produces such eye popping and dramatic visuals.  Through Dan's use of solid black and grey backgrounds, lighting and props, Dan manages to capture dynamically unique body lines and poses.

Isaac has a very striking look.  His strong face and eyes, beautiful dreads and flawless physique are perfectly photographed with Dan's vision of the male form.  Although it wasn't the stool that first attracted me to Dan's shots of Isaac, when starting to choose images, the four legged seat was a part of so many of my favorites.

Although the male form is always front and center, I've always loved the way Dan so skillfully utilizes prop or pieces of fashion.  In some of my previous pieces featuring Dan's work, we've seen models like Teak (HERE:) seductively straddling antique chairs and settee's, or models wrapped, and of course unwrapped, in white towels (HERE:) or bath robes. (HERE:)

What Dan does so beautifully, as you can see in this series with Isaac, is not to focus on the object, but on how the model interacts with it.  Although a series of images of a model on a stool could get boring, Isaac uses the stool in so many different artistic and erotic ways, each pose and each shot, is distinctively unique.

As a police officer, Dan wasn't provided many (any) opportunities to do things in artistic, let alone erotic, ways.  Now retired, the Arizona photographer has made shooting his passion.  Although photographing the nude male form is miles away from his former profession, there is one skill from his years on the force that Dan does incorporate.  Dan's favorite part of his job was always interacting with others, and loves the interactions between himself and the model in the creative process.

Model and photographer  first connected after Isaac responded to an ad for a model that Dan had placed on Craigslist.  Dan instantly noticed Isaac physical attributes, but the shooting experience was enhanced by  Isaac's sense of humour, and how personable he was.  The camera loved him, and with each shoot together, a friendship developed.

Dan says no matter what they're creating, or what he suggests, Isaac is always a pro.  Although he is straight, Isaac was open to shooting an erotic shoot with another male model.  Unfortunately, the model Dan chose also turned out to be straight, and although he tried, struggled a bit with some of the poses and was clearly tense and uncomfortable.  Although Dan descries the tension, and resulting images as strictly asexual, thanks mostly to Isaac, he did manage to capture a couple of hot shots.

MaleVisionS Portfolio on Flickr 

MaleVisionS Photography

MaleVisionS on FH:

MaleVisionS Photography: DisRobe

'Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have Immortal longings in me.'

William Shakespeare

I began the month of March with a piece featuring MaleVisionS series of featuring the Tucson photographer's 'white towel' themed images. (Towel Rack)  When collecting my favorite shots from the series, I also saved images of Dan Nelson's captures of models in, and sliding out of, their white robes.

Although many artists capture and incorporate elements of power and strength, vulnerability is a core theme within images of the naked male form. There is something almost intrinsic to the art form, maybe especially within studio shoots, about completely exposing oneself and passing the control of the visual outcome, to another. I think this is also the reason some are drawn to certain images, and certain artists. Though some artists play down the vulnerability piece, others find a way to beautifully use it within their work.

I can only imagine, that when posing completely naked, it could even be that much more of a challenge, for a model to stand in an empty space without any prop or piece of fashion to use as protection or a diversion. Even if the prop or fashion didn't cover, it could be helpful having it to touch or hold on to.

There is something incredibly erotic and sensuous about the way Dan used both vulnerablity, and the towel and robe within his images. Although for the model, the white robe might be comforting to touch, Dan beautifully uses the robe not as a curtain, closed to hide what's behind it. Instead, Dan opens the curtain, the robe, to help highlight, bringing what it is surrounding into a clearer focus and view. It also seems clear to me, that these white robes are not being picked up and put on.  They are very seductively... being taken off.

In many of his images, the white robe acts almost like a picture frame. Surrounding the focus of the image, the bright white complimenting and interacting with, both light and skin. You can check out more of Dan's work, including his many images of models with and without their white robes on his website HERE: Also check out his print page which includes some of my favorite images HERE:

MaleVisionS Photography

MaleVisionS Photography on ModelMayhem