My favorite composition is "Mathew in Rock Formation," shot in Southern California's Kern River on page 60. Matt's magnificent body fits like the proverbial glove into a naturally formed contour in the rock. Thousands of years of water erosion have carved a smooth as silk niche, just the right shape for naked Matt to slip his fine body into.
"Matthew in Rock"
"Roy in Tree" graces page 17, the very carnal essence of physical grandeur. Masculine Roy seems to grow out of an ancient tree trunk in Joshua National Forest. His tight belly button almost morphs into a wood knot on the gnarled tree.
A branch reaching skyward, a complimentary human arm reaching toward the heavens above.
The little hair left on his head as sparse as the few leaves that adorn the old-growth tree. A spur of ancient, finely ribbed pale wood radiates out from Roy's crotch. A perfectly synergistic match of homo sapiens and arboreal monolith.Next we come upon a tall, lean man standing upon a stony outcrop on page 63, his muscular back facing us, his well-proportioned arms crossed over his head. His firm, rounded buns even more shapely than the boulders he is mounted upon. Of course, his beauty, however powerful, is transitory. Centuries after his muscles, flesh and bones have returned to ashes and fine, imperceptible dust, the rock will endure and feel other naked feet trample across its noble face.
"Joe in Clouds"
But for that fleeting moment in time human, male, clean and glorious beauty, pulsating and throbbing with life, triumphed over the inanimate rock of ages.
"Body In Crevice," on page 43 appears as if the living rock has opened its giant mouth to devour a gorgeous, rippled body.
"Body in Crevice"
Another man versus rock composition on page 59 gives us yet another perspective on tender flesh against harsh, unforgiving mineral.
This time a young man by the name of Aras is perched atop a huge, apparently teetering, egg-shaped boulder. The grey boulder is almost like a huge misshapen marble lying on a flat stone table with Aras at its pinnacle in a fetal position, his face obscured by his folded arms wrapped around himself. In the background we see an army of spiked Joshua trees marching into the distant expanse.
Rogerio Reclined on page 41 is also filmed on a hard rock surface this time at Malibu, but his choice torso, narrow hour glass waist, and hairy chest somehow overpower the rock, so much so that you become oblivious to the context.
"Rogerio Reclined"
"Mark's Torso," on page 73 was shot indoors, but his firm abs nonetheless mimic ripples and undulations in sand deposited by the receding tide. "Thom Behind Bars," on page 71, taken in Northern California's Marin Headlands provides a slight variation on the established formula.
We find Thom imprisoned within a battered and peeling window-sill, behind ancient wrought iron bars, posed as if his sheer might alone was preventing the opposing walls from collapsing in on him.
"Thom in Ruins"
Handsome Devils (not to be confused with Handsome Devil, an unrelated paperback novel), is of course a wonderful title for a magnificent collection of pictures. Despite the absolutely boring cover photo which provides no clue as to the glorious contents. But the back cover, the same picture as on page 63, conversely, soars to incredible heights of artistry.I like that the pictures are not cluttered up with a lot of text. And also that there's an index at the back of Handsome Devils identifying the models and the locations where the photo shoots took place.
All but one of the pictures are solo compositions. The only exception is a photo of a pair of men relaxing at the edge of a hot tub, or swimming pool. All of the pictures are erotic but wholesome, with not a single certified boner in sight.
Leaf through Handsome Devils and pick out your own favorites. There are three pictures I didn't even mention that could not only rival, but outshine all the pictures I've described.
There was at one time a magnificent signed and numbered poster of Roy in Tree, and of other choice pictures from Handsome Devils, and you never know -- these may be out there somewhere if you keep your eye out. Way back when, the photographer/publisher, Klaus Pohlmann Gerhart, gave me a personal tour of his spacious workshop and store, the Naked Gallery. It was in a former warehouse with soaring forty foot ceilings and natural light pouring in from huge windows -- not at all stuffy like an art gallery. He even took me through the store room to see the supplies, and the mailroom to witness the smooth running operation. Now he had some choice collectibles on site. But these days Handsome Devils posters and prints aren't so easy to come by. The Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles, location has since closed. I'm sure probably a few odd posters are still floating around. You might be lucky enough to spot one at a garage sale, or estate auction.
Used copies sell from $35, up to about $60 on Alibris.com. If you find one, snap it up. It's a real collectible. It's so rare and illusive that Amazon.com doesn't even have a synopsis of Handsome Devils, nor a cover photo. Happy hunting!
Your comments are always welcome:ErnieAlderete@charter.net