Thursday, January 14, 2016

Favorite Pic of the Day for January 15th

Above:
-See More Below-

Happy Birthday today January 15th


Happy 48th to actor Chad Lowe!

Although he may not be as famous as his older brother, I remember Chad Lowe fondly on television in the late 80's.  Check out more of today's birthday boys HERE: & HERE:

All Things Alex: Coda


The window's still open, and more than a crack...

For all of you that have enjoyed my features on Alex Corso the past couple of days there is one more view you don't want to miss out on, the entire view. Wes from New Manhattan Studios wanted to have the second edition of Captured Shadows in time for my Sunday posts, but technology threw more than a few curve balls his way. Wes persevered through the difficulties and the magazine, both print and digital download are now available. Be sure to check out the link below to see more of Alex, and to take advantage of the discount price exclusively for readers of FH!


Go behind the scenes with the studio's most popular model and watch him at work as a stylist and cameraman


Boundless Energy: Rock Carter by Keith Ingram Photo


'After a few warm-up shots, I quickly gave up on trying to pose him, and just gave into the spontaneity of the moment. He’s a lovable goofball, and I don’t think he’ll mind me saying so!'


This feature marks the return of two of my favorites. I first introduced FH readers to model Rock Carter in 2014. (Bounding With Energy) When I first saw Rock's work with MQO Photo Studio, I knew instantly I wanted to feature their work together. There was something so beautifully unique, and incredibly sexy about Rock that I instantly loved. The shoot had an intensely erotic, sexy and sophisticated feel and I have been looking for an opportunity to feature more of Rock's work.


2014 was also the last time I featured the work of San Francisco photographer Keith Ingram. Keith's artistry and creativity is at the core of why I am so attracted to his work and his experience in film making is something I can see in so many of his images. WI went back into Keith's portfolio last fall looking to get in touch about another piece for FH and was thrilled when I saw that he had worked with Rock.


Coincidently, Keith shares that he had sent a friend request to Rock on Model Mayhem just a few days before his debut on FH. Keith was also impressed with Rock's featured images and loved the energy and sense of movement presented in his work. Energy seems to be a them in Rock's work and a quality sometimes overlooked. There are some great looking models who fall flat on camera due to the lack of energy expressed. Rock's energy is contagious, and can be felt by viewers of his work.


After that friend request, Keith immediately followed up with a request to see if would be interested in shooting. After Rock said yes, plans were made to get together to shoot. 'I told him that I would happily come up to Portland Oregon to shoot with him. It turned out that he lived about an hour outside of Portland, so we both had to pick the most convenient weekend to travel. Mind you - this was in the middle of winter, so we had to take weather conditions into consideration.'


After a few weeks, and a lot of texts back and forth, Keith and Rock settled on a date and made plans to meet up. Unfortunately, shortly before their shoot, Rock took a spill on his motorcycle and banged up his knee. Rock was still able to walk, so they struck a plan to work with, and around Rock's bandaged knee. It ended up being a cold rainy day, so they remained inside to shoot and Keith says his large hotel room served them well as a studio with all the needed amenities. They are planning another shoot, this time outdoors in either Oregon or California. If it all ends up panning out, Keith promises to share the results!


'Besides having a fun and easy-going personality, Rock had a boundless energy and was a natural in front of the lens. I found the experience liberating and creatively rewarding. We were both breaking out of our comfort zones (this was only his second nude shoot) and having a great time improvising. The right music, a little wine, and his travel companion off to the side (making him laugh) made the session a fun little party. We captured some visually striking images that we’re both really proud of.'


Rock's personality bursts through each image and both he and Keith did an incredible job dealing with, and incorporating in, Rock's knee injury. Visually striking is the perfect turn of phrase. Keith's background in film making is evident in so many shots. There are so many stories within the shoot, and some look almost like promotional posters for a film. Rock's has an incredible body, but it is his face and that grin that help energize his work in front of the camera.


'Working with Kieth is always exciting. Our shoot in PDX (Portland, OR) was awesome, shot in a vintage hotel, that was full of interesting backdrops. There was this mirror that was perfect for some great angles, that I got to play with. Keith himself is super accommodating, and comes up with great ideas. Previous to our shoot, I’d injured my knee in a motorcycle crash, and had to keep it bandaged as it healed. Instead of cancelling the shoot or being disappointed he worked it into our shots, and made a kind of theme even. It was great, and I can’t wait to shoot with him again.'





Favorite Face of The Day: Michael McPhee


I know many of you have dived into OutTV's Sex & Violence and loved the experience. I know many of you have never heard of the Canadian television show. The Halifax based drama lives up to it's title with tons of sex, and plenty of violence. I am not sure any of us could have imagined a TV series featuring Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis giving blow jobs to a series of young, and always naked, lovers, but believe me... there is.


Sex and Violence is raw, raw in that the violence is organic. Often violence on television is distant, stories just far enough away from our actual lives that we can watch it without feeling we will be ever touched by it. Not on this show. The violence is the type of violence that could happen next door, down the street, or at work. It is harder to separate from, yet at the same time, for me, easier to connect with.

McPhee performing 937 at the Atlantic Fringe Festival

So in addition to that violence, there is the sex. Sex not seen through filters or clever editing. Naked bodies, tons of them, all shapes and sizes. The nakedness is so real, not all of it is sexy, which given the two words in the shows title, is the show's point. Unlike many television shows, even the ones on cable, the penis is not a body part to hide, nor is it one that requires any more attention than any other. The men who are naked on Sex & Violence all have penis's and all of them are shown. They are not shown in close up, they are not shown to grab your attention, they are shown...because men have them.

Cloudburst

One of my favorite characters on Sex & Violence is Constable Doug Downey played by Michael McPhee. Michael is a talented actor and and although the show clearly hired for talent over the usual TV show good look, Michael is an incredibly hot man, starting with sexy nose and beautiful face.

Sex & Violence

Although like pretty much all of the cast, Michael has his fair share of nude scenes, especially in the police stations locker room, I think he was at his hottest in the scene below. Even lesbian Brenda Shaw (Kerry Fox) has difficulty resisting Constable Doug Downey working on his house without his shirt.


That locker room