Adam Raphael, photographer of the widely praised Powerhouse Books title Room Service, offers a delicious collection of young men in his book, Barely Working. Once again documenting a racially diverse group of the finest faces and bodies, Adam Raphael has captured his models in various working situations including auto repair, car washing, landscaping, and other similar settings. Of course, work soon gives way to play, and the unique combination of laughter, competition, and youthful energy converge to create a sensual tension that can only be made by a photographer who has the skill and talent to work closely with his models without ever overshadowing or crowding them.
Adam Raphael becomes more painterly with every new portfolio of photographs he presents. Beginning with the almost shy 2001 FRIENDS, his photographic portraits of young men whose trust in the artist is obvious, makes the images gentle and casual and very honest. In his 2004 FRIENDS AND BROTHERS, the relationship between the single model and the model grouped, Raphael played with space and suggested poses that never appeared forced but began to offer some commentary between the fresh, young and naturally beautiful young men and the artist. In short, Raphael pushed his space to create not only celebratory images of young men at their zenith of physical development, but he also suggested interplay or dramatic statement. In his 2007 portfolio ROOM SERVICE that drama became more polished as his beautiful men in rooms that echoed histories and stories allowed the viewer to go beyond the initial thought of simply finding vital, naturally handsome youths, to create fantasies. And without pushing the edge of full nudity Raphael found the exotic and, yes, erotic communication between his subject and his audience.
In observing the model at rest, at play, and in repose in the elegant surroundings that suggested a proscenium stage, Adam Raphael developed those skills of telling stories with the camera, and in this newest and in many ways most successful portfolio, BARELY WORKING, his ability to find the visceral humor, the moments of stress and relaxation, and the interaction between the props of the working man and the model that result in paintings that just happen to be made of film, is polished and exemplary. Whether focusing on the grease smears of the boiler room men or the geometrics of the yards of contractors, Raphael finds echoes in his sets that serve as complementary designs with the bare-chested, muscle men of his choosing. These lads continue to follow Raphael's keen eye for the naturally beautiful men, at times observed at work and at times at play, and more often at times with direct eye communication with the artist. But now the composition of each photograph is more sophisticated, flesh tones are excitingly balanced as choices of settings, and color objects create a harmony that while not pulling focus as technique, successfully result in enhancing the chiseled beauty of the models.
Some may wonder why Adam Raphael avoids frontal nudity when the audience is apparently now prepared for that historically prejudiced stance. Perhaps one reason is that Raphael is able, by maintaining elements of garments that enhance the physiques of his very choice models, to communicate more sensual images by taking the viewer just far enough to make the imagination engage. And it is that step, that decision, that engagement, that keeps his art fresh, vital, eternally youthful, and now, painterly beautiful!
It Certainly is NOT "All Work and No Play" with These Guys!
Joe Hanssen wrote on 08/15/2008:
I’m Shocked! but pleasantly surprised to see that a professional male photographer has listened to our requests and photographed young men the way they should appear, Relaxed! There are no statues, or stale unsmiling, motionless young men looking bored to death in Adam Raphael’s new book, of young, hunky, and handsome men, aptly titled “Barely Working”. It’s a great title for a book of images featuring some of the best looking guys in America who are photographed working on various outdoor building projects, and having a great time on the job. The group shots of the guys are unusual as most male photography books of this nature do not bring a group of guys together in one place interacting, but usually show just images of men alone normally. These young hunks are barely working, for all work and no play is certainly NOT the case in these beautifully photographed shots. It so nice to see smiling faces for a change as the models are working, playing and talking. These guys are relaxed in front of the camera, seemingly not even aware of it, and the credit for that belongs to Adam Raphael. I thought Adam Raphael’s last book “Room Service” would be hard to top but he has shown again what an innovative and dedicated photographer can do. The coloring, lighting and shadows in these images is pleasure to the eye.
There’s no full nudity in these images, but in no way does that deter from the sexy, and artistic beauty of these young men captured at the peak of their physical perfection. In fact, it adds to their mystique and allure. Adam Raphael has captured the beauty of these men and to our benefit he allows us to share in his work and world of beauty. This will be one of the books on my top shelf of male photography books, which will be enjoyed and treasured for years to come.
The Painterly Photographer
