Sunday, October 16, 2011

Favorite Pic of the Day for October 16th


Above:
Lukas by Jon Eland | But I Like It Photo
-See More Below-

* Every now an then a theme emerges when I am choosing my stories for the day. It is usually not intentional, but somehow weaves in and out of each of the posts. Today, the more I typed, the more the theme of transition became clear.

Happy Birthday today October 16th



Transition certainly describes the career, and my feelings towards John Mayer. I have gone from loving his music, loving his look to losing interest (anyone who dates Jessica Simpson automatically must head to the back of the line). Mayer himself has gone from a once respected musician to someone who gets more attention for his personal life than his music. Hopefully in his 34th year of life the attention will return where it belongs, on his amazing singing and song writing.




Check out more of John and fellow birthday boys Frederic Michalak, Jeremy Jackson, Brad O, Carlos Casagrande and Randall Batinkoff HERE:

Just Because: Jonathan Taylor Thomas



I was never a huge fan of ABC's Home Improvement. I was still in school during its run in the 90's and wasn't watching that much television. I did however watch enough to develop a crush on Jonathan Taylor Thomas. Thomas stood out from the other boys in the cast. Taran Noah Smith and Zachery Ty Bryan were both cute and talented but there was a quality about Thomas that was distinct and special.



As I have gotten older, when I see an old episode on television, it is now the talent of Patricia Richardson I enjoy. Richardson really made the most of her role and although I don't dislike Tim Allen, I don't find anything especially watchable about him either, it is Richardson who holds my interest.



How great does Thomas (and the whole cast really) look in the new shots from Entertainment Weekly's new Reunion issue. Thomas, who just turned 30 had not been together with his co-stars since the show went off the air. Thomas is sporting the hairstyle I sported through most of my early 20's and just as when on the show, stands out in the group and the photos (especially the last one). What a great transition, time to get back to acting Jonathan!



PRIME TIME by Gregory Lindeblom



With each year we are fortunate enough to keep on living, we change and transition. Our thoughts and outlooks, our bodies and appearance. Even though most of us will live 7, 8 and if we're lucky, even 9 decades, the majority of those who chronicle the male form continue to focus on just one of those ten year spans. The years spanning from about 18 to 28 remain the age in which most wish to document. Earlier this month I profiled the work of photographer Gregory Lindeblom from GLiMPSe visual (Freezing Movement). In Gregory's new book PRIME TIME the artist spotlights men, who although over 28, are just beginning to reach their prime.



'In the real world, men become more interesting and attractive as they build character in this adventure we call life. Inner strength and maturity is reflected in faces and bodies that demonstrate timeless beauty. So I offer to you a collection of real men in the prime of their lives. Successful, accomplished, talented, attractive, sexy and fun, these men are sexy and charismatic.'
Gregory Lindeblom

Find out more and preview PRIME TIME HERE:




Subtleties: Lukas by Jon Eland

Lukas Myers
by Jon Eland (But I Like It Photos)


When I was initially putting my posts together for today the theme of maturing and ageing seemed to be weaved through each of pieces. Jonathan Taylor Thomas, moving from child star into his thirties, Gregory Lindeblom's book Prime Time and finally photographer Jon Eland's delicious shots of Lukas Myers. With the shots of Lukas, it was not so much his age of course, but in reading Jon's mission statement, it all came together with the word transition, so beautifully stated on his 'about' page. (see below)




'Focused on creating stylish, original imagery of the male visage and form, Jon photographs a diverse selection of men – aiming to share the beauty and subtleties and to record each person at that point as they transition through life.'



The word subtleties really struck me in Jon's statement. All of us change, transition each and every day, hour even minute. These changes are so small, so delicate that most of us don't notice them as they are occurring. What we do usually notice is when many of these small changes add up to a big one. Then we look back and wonder what happened. How many of us have looked at an old picture of ourselves and truly don't remember looking like that. Most of us tend to get a mental picture of ourselves and stick with it for years. Sometimes it takes a good friend to point out when that mental image veers further and further from reality.



Jon goes on to say in his intro that he works with guys from a broad spectrum of ages, backgrounds and reasons for wanting photos. It is interesting, I think I only remember two, maybe three other photographers who incorporate the motive of the model into the emotions they try to bring out in the images. Conveying emotions is something Jon does beautifully and says he is inspired by narrative-led shoots. Going through his portfolio, especially some of his themed projects, subtle, emotional expression is at the core of where Jon's images stem from.



'The shoot with Lukas was cool - I'd had a couple of goes using the office building we shot in and this led to the shoot with Lukas - he'd been recommended to me by a friend who I use as an unofficial talent scout - he has his finger on the pulse of hot young local talent. But had I been looking myself I needn't have gone far; Lukas was to be found working behind (and on) the bar next door to the studio - often in little more than his boxer-briefs!'
Jon Eland


In the case of 23 year old Lukas Myers, the transition and subtleties captured and recorded by Jon are his entry into modeling. Jon says this was Lukas' first 'proper' shoot and he was fun to work with and a natural in front of a camera that loves him. Jon says that Lukas has a 'vanity free' desire to look great and both model and photographer are already looking forward to a second shoot


Jon Eland on ModelMayhem & Facebook
Lukas Myers on ModelMayhem