Edgy Like I LIke…
Something I might think of photographing for an edgy editorial shoot. A model on her knees perhaps lost in a more pleasurable thought or place. Somewhat erotic while still being fully dressed.
But no! My photograph of the hyper realistic art of Marc Sijan. Life size sculpture indistinguishable from a model I might actually have before the camera. Amazing imagination and talent!
Photographed on opening night at the Fine Arts Fair in Palm Springs for Modernism Week.
Photographs I Have Shot In Gyms Around The World
It is so fun to see photographs I have shot hanging in the gym where they put in the work. Tina Chandler Ifbb Pro in Iron City Gym Hardcore. Actually people have sent me photographs I have shot of them hanging in gyms around the world. Very Cool!
The 1st Mr. Natural Olympia
Another look at my good friend John Hansen. John was the first Mr. Natural Olympia and twice Natural Mr. Universe. Writer for Iron Man Magazine and author of “Natural Bodybuilding”. A great guy to really know! From our photo shoot…
“Danger Diabolik”
Marisa Mel in the 1968 French-Italian cult action film “Danger Diabolik”. Running last night at Design 849 for their Mad Mod Moderno party last night including pop-art works by Izayah based on the 60’s “Diabolik” comic books. Absolutely a great time! And YES I love this dress. Who wants to wear one like that in front of my cameras?
It’s A Go Go!
A Go Go Dancer working it! In the front window at Design 849 in Palm Springs for Modernism Week. What a fun place last night!
Legendary Bodybuilder Bill Grant…
My good friend Bill Grant featured on the Stars of Bodybuilding in one of my photographs.
Legendary bodybuilder Bill Grant being inducted into the Muscle Beach Hall Of Fame on July 4, 2006 at world famous Muscle Beach at Venice Beach California.
Too Much Fun For Me!
Too much fun for me! Carrying a camera around I get to photograph the photographers shooting at so many events going on here in Palm Springs during Modernism Week. And in this case a photographer who looks really good in front of a camera too. Sandra Baroni at Gallery 446.
Is That Madonna?
“Is that Madonna?” is the question I keep hearing! I recently did this photo shoot with a truly extraordinary Heidi Cannon Wbff Pro. I must tell you that Heidi was just amazing and it was a wonderful photo shoot!
I liked this photograph from the shoot so very much that I made it my business card. The first time I have changed the photograph on my business card in almost eight years, and Heidi replaced Phil Heath!
So now as I hand them at in my travels, I get asked all the time, including last night at a gallery opening “Is that Madonna?”. I think that’s fun! Very Fun!
Reflections of “Driven” by Eric Nash
A reflection within a reflection within a reflection… At the opening last night of “Driven” “Drawings and Paintings of the Road” by Eric Nash at the Stephen Archdeacon Gallery in Palm Springs. Wonderful works attended by a wonderful group of people. And to quote… “Feral Car Show by Matthew Reader” “Hosted by Billy F Gibbons and WWW. FERALCARS.COM. Also wonderful Tequila from Pura Vida Tequila Company. Thank You to Sara Abbas for being my Tequila tour guide. I like it!
“Mystery Of The Double Cross”
At first it seems like just kind of a cool old movie poster. But it turns out that it is for the only complete series of episodes of silent action films still in existence. The “Mystery Of The Double Cross” was released in 15 weekly chapters beginning on March 18, 1917. It is almost coming up on 100 years ago!
To quote from the Wiki about the plot… “Peter Hale (Leon Bary) is returning to America from overseas via steamship to receive his inheritance. On board, he receives a telegram warning him to beware the Double Cross. He doesn’t know what it means, until he becomes enamored of a mysterious woman occupying cabin no.7. When a submarine is sighted, there is panic on shipboard. Peter and the mysterious woman are thrown together, and in the ensuing action, he sees a double cross symbol on her right arm, just below the shoulder. When the ship arrives in New York, Peter loses track of the woman.”
Photographed the other day at the Palm Springs Modernism Week Fine Art Fair.
Cafe Or Restrooms?
It was great fun to go to the opening night “VIP” party for the Palm Springs Modernism Week Fine Art Fair. Lots to look at, 3500 great looking and interesting people. Complimentary wine and beverages and full bars. But somehow I do not think, no matter how much I might drink, that I might get one confused for the other.
Her Gaze Met Mine…
As soon as her gaze met mine I knew I was destined to be behind the wheel of this 1958 Lincoln Continental and driving off to travel the California coast. At the vintage auto show for Palm Springs Modernism Week yesterday. Anybody else want to jump in my car with my camera in hand?
1950 Pontiac Catalina
A 1950 Pontiac Catalina today at the vintage car show for Palm Springs Modernism Week.
“Attack Of The 50 Ft. Woman”
I want one! A wall size poster from the 1958 cult movie hit “Attack Of The 50 Ft. Woman”.
This was inside one of the pre-fab homes at Palm Springs Modernism Week. And it fills an entire wall. Very Fun!
Bumpers & Crave
“Bumper To Bumper” by Paulden Evans. A sculpture of chrome bumpers. Outside the entrance to the new upstairs location for “Crave”. A “dessert bar” and a really great place! At the corner of Palm Canyon Drive and Amado in Palm Springs. Check it out! http://www.craveps.com
Modernism And Color
Store window display last night on Palm Canyon Drive during Palm Springs Modernism Week.
Thunderbird!
Is this just too perfect! A classic Thunderbird parked last night outside of the M Modern Gallery for their art show and party for “Mid-Century & Beyond” during Palm Springs Modernism Week.
Proximity Cinema
“Proximity Cinema” by Tiffany Trendra. The artist remains silent using proximity and touch and the body as the only point of interface. When the audience touches the screen it reveals a photograph of the artist’s body. The screens relay the most spoken words between men and women such as “Go Ahead” “It’s Ok” “Don’t Worry About It”. Photographed at the Palm Springs Fine Art Festival opening last night.
Ride-Em Copter
She said if I wanted the upper seat it was going to be a bumpy ride. Sounds good to me! She is “Shivers” described as “the well-endowed, lady mannequin pilot” “ravishing and sexy” also a part of the art installation.
“Ride-Em-Copter” by Steve Maloney. A Bell Jet OH-58 Helicopter at the Palm Springs Fine Arts Fair 2014.
Eat Right, Be Active, Have Fun.
A colorful billboard giving it’s healthy message to a stark environment. Photographed on FujiFilm in a Leica M7 camera.
Two Steps To Looking Tough In The Gym!
Two steps to looking tough in the gym. The first step is to put in the work! The next step is to do a photo shoot with me. Charles J Flanagan did a really good job on both!
She Makes It Easy!
I have to apologize. You see Maria Bertrand makes it so easy for me to be a photographer. Just find a fun wall, ask her to stand there and it’s magic!
My Idea Of Gym Wear…
My idea of gym wear in my photo shoots! Makeup and Hair Styling by Natalie Lyle.
Lifetime Achievement!
John Balik, publisher of Iron Man Magazine along with Al Pacino inducting Eddie Giuliani into the Muscle Beach Hall of Fame. Much to say about everyone here, of course, but this post is about my friend John Balik. John is this year going to be given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the “Arnold” this year in Columbus Ohio.
It is funny, John was just telling me about when his Iron Man Magazine was one of only three sponsor booths at the very first Arnold Classic. Now the Arnold Sports Festival seems like it takes over the entire city of Columbus Ohio and brings in hundreds of thousands of people.
John’s life has always been bodybuilding, starting out lifting and competing himself when he was 14 years old. Very early he began producing his own shows and even produced the AAU Mr. America in 1970 with Bill Pearl. An accomplished photographer, John was shooting almost half of all of the photographs you saw back then for Muscle & Fitness and Flex magazines. John went on to acquire Iron Man Magazine in 1986 and has been a continuing major influence in the industry and sport of bodybuilding and fitness.
So a huge congratulations to a wonderful individual who is one of those great people we have from the golden age of bodybuilding. Thank You John Balik!























