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Bodies
- His Photographic Art reviewed by |
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This review is a bit of a surprise. I had originally bought this book strictly as part of my personal collection. It was not going to be part of the WeightsNet Bookstore at all. Boris Vallejo is one of the top illustrators in the fantasy genre. You have likely seen his work on posters, calendars, book covers, or trading cards. I am familiar with his work, though my taste runs more towards Frank Frazetta. I have admired the physiques of the humans (as opposed to the monsters) in many of his drawings, though, and I have noticed that he has occasionally used professional bodybuilders as his models. Given that, when I found out that he put out a collection of his photographs and saw the cover I decided I should give it a try.
It turns out that Boris uses bodybuilders as models quite frequently. About bodybuilders, he states in his Foreword, "They are like musicians practising their instruments day after day, for years and years. They are very disciplined and work their bodies hard in the pursuit of excellence. People like that really do exist and this book is the proof of that." Sounds like someone who knows bodybuilding, doesn't it? He was involved in judging bodybuilding contests, at some point, and knows all about what bodybuilders are capable of and what condition he wants a model in. "I try to avoid that kind of condition," he says about bodybuilders in contest shape, "because although it looks very good on stage for competition, I prefer to see the body looking fuller and rounder. I think the body is more sensual...if it looks rounder and not so super-defined and super-vascular."
Have any of you been looking for a book of photography that has bodybuilders and not just fitness bunnies? A book where the bodybuilders aren't ripped but still defined? A book where the bodybuilders are not dripping with steroids and whatnot? Women, are you looking for a book where you can see what bodybuilding can do for you and not to you? You can find it all in Boris Vallejo's Bodies - His Photographic Art. It's an unlikely place because I have not seen it hyped up in the bodybuilding magazines but it should be.
Most of the photographs feature women and I must say that they tend to be in better shape than the male models. Since this is not a book of bodybuilders per sé (not all of the models are bodybuilders and of the ones who are, I did not recognize any of them), there is not much in the way of the typical bodybuilder shots (front double biceps, etc.). The models tend to be in powerful poses, though, and this shows off their physiques quite well. Having an artist behind the camera and not a "bodybuilder photographer" alá Mike Neveux or Bill Dobbins is very refreshing. It is nice not having to wade through the same old, tired poses and instead see pictures that bring back the idea of a bodybuilder as a work of art instead of just freaky. Not once did I turn to a picture and say, "Yuck!" If Boris has a weakness, it is the typical weakness of most male physique photographers: the male body. Whether it is because they are not as interested in other males as they are females or whether it is being uncomfortable with the subject matter, I find that most male photographers do not work well with the male physique. This seems odd in Vallejo's case since he paints Conan-like physiques all the time. Perhaps this particular collection is simply lacking in this area--only future ones can provide an answer.
Women who are interested in weight training will be especially interested in this book. Lately, it seems that there is no happy medium between fitness models like Leeann Tweeden and bodybuilders like Kim Chizevsky and even the fitness competitions are demanding that the competitors drop their bodyfat way down--heading towards bodybuilder levels. I like looking at Leeann as much as the next guy but are those the choices left for women? Soft, big-chested so-called "fitness models" or ripped-to-the-bone she-males? Where is the middle ground for a woman to shoot for? There are some of the fitness competitors, to be sure, but if watching those gymnastic routines leaves you scratching your head, try taking a look at this book. These women are strong, fit, sexy, photographed very well, and their physiques are very attainable.
The photos in Bodies were taken as reference for Boris' illustrations. Since he is a prolific illustrator, I hope there are more collections like this on their way. The models look great and Boris, it turns out, is quite the photographer. As an accomplished illustrator he is well-versed in composition and lighting and he is able to transfer those skills to the photographic medium. There is plenty of nudity here, so if women's breasts or men's buns offend you, you will not even make it past the first photograph. People, like bodybuilders, who appreciate a good physique, though, will enjoy this fine collection.
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