Barely Working - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1576874494 ISBN 13: 9781576874493

Publisher: powerHouse Books, 2008

Synopsis

Adam Raphael, photographer of the widely praised Room Service, now offers Barely Working, a delicious, racially diverse collection of the finest faces and bodies in working situations that include construction, landscaping, and boiler repair. 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 captured by a photographer who has the skill and talent to work closely with his models without ever overshadowing or crowding them.

About this title

From the Author:

It is a unique combination that never ceases to capture my imagination and intrigue my soul: a perfectly proportioned, hard and defined male body combined with a young and finely featured face. When the combination sits within a blue-collar working setting, it isalmost so overwhelming as to take my breath away.

It can strike anytime at any place: in a car repair shop, walking by a construction site, driving through a public park. The locations are without limit. But each time it happens, I yearn to capture the moment, both for my own later enjoyment as well as to share with others.

Barely Working, then, is my attempt to do exactly that--to capture that special moment with the ability of a precise lens, allowing the viewer to savor each detail in a way that can never happen in real time.

Perhaps it is easier to describe all the things that it is not. It is not huge muscles, nor a delicate little wisp of a man-boy, or a professional model with years of experience. That unique look is a rare and subtle combination of factors, never too big, too old, too delicate, too angry, too rough, too "model" looking.

It is difficult to find, and incredibly rewarding when located. Once the physical attributes are determined, the attitude and demeanor are next. They must have a certain innocence, a playful and open nature, a willingness to be vulnerable and human, and to comfortably interact with others of their breed without any hint of sexuality or ulterior motive.

And that combination allows the most enjoyable of all visual treats to take place--the "after work" frolics, the splash of water, the wrestling, and the bear hugs.

You are allowed to picture them working in your own neighborhood on a hot day, unintentionally getting ready for that divine moment when you coincidentally happen upon them, Barely Working, celebrating that moment when the work has just stopped and the play begins.

About the Author:

Adam Raphael has been making subtle, erotic photographs of stunning young men for more than a decade. In addition to Barely Working, he has published four other books: Book One (HM, 1999), Friends (HM, 2001), Friends & Brothers (HM, 2004), and Room Service (powerHouse Books, 2007). His photography is widely collected and was featured in Reed Massengill’s Self-Exposure (Universe, 2005) as well as in numerous magazines, including Du Und Ich, XY Foto, Instinct, The Out Traveler, M Mensuel, and AX National. His work is represented by Kathleen Cullen Fine Arts in New York.

About this edition

• Publisher: powerHouse Books
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1576874494
• ISBN 13: 9781576874493
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 112