The Dilemma

Series created for a juried competition entitled "The Great American Nude" in 1988 or 1989.  It was the only male nude submitted.

The model was a first-timer, recommended to me by a friend.  I think he was 19 at the time.  He was a natural.  He had no problem with nudity.  I explained the concept; that he was to look at some fig leaves, and try them on in various ways, as though he really didn't understand their purpose.  He took over from there, creating a series of delightfully innocent poses and giving me exactly what I wanted.

It was the beginning of a series of shoots with this model. You will see him again.

Figure with a Mask

I don't remember the details of the lighting here, but it appears to be at least two sources. By this time I had purchased a set of three portable lights on stands.  Designed for video production, they put out a whopping 600 watts each, and the same amount of heat.  I still have them, and I still sometimes use them.

The model was a close friend of mine I had always wanted to photograph, but he had to be talked into it.  The shoot took place in his apartment.  By this time everyone was becoming more body-conscious, as evidenced by his overall muscle tone, but it was not excessive.