World Photography Day: Inspired by Helmut Newton and Brigitte Nielsen
World Photography Day feels like the right moment to look back at the work that shaped my own vision behind the camera.
This photograph—Helmut Newton’s striking image of Brigitte Nielsen in Monte Carlo, 1987—has always stayed with me. Newton had a way of capturing strength, provocation, and glamour in one frame, creating images that were unapologetically bold. Brigitte Nielsen herself, towering and statuesque, seemed made for his lens—an icon of presence and attitude.
Newton’s work has been a lifelong influence on my photography. His fearless approach to composition, his embrace of power in femininity, and his willingness to confront the viewer continue to guide how I think about the subjects I photograph.
On this World Photography Day, rather than share my own work, I want to acknowledge the legacy of images like this one—reminders of how photography can challenge, provoke, and inspire.
To see more of my own work—from fast food photographed against black backgrounds, to bold nude portraits, aviation, bodybuilding, and scenes around Palm Springs—visit my website at SecondFocus.com.
My Idea of Nature Photography
Not every nature photo needs to be a forest or a waterfall.
Today is Nature Photography Day, and this is my version — professional bodybuilder Tina Chandler, photographed in the desert near Palm Springs, sitting in a folding chair surrounded by wind turbines.
Nature Photography Day was established in 2006 by the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) to encourage people to explore and photograph the natural world. Most of what you’ll see today will be landscapes, wildlife, or dramatic skies. That’s not what I shoot. But I do shoot in nature.
I’ve done a lot of photography in the world of bodybuilding and fitness — it’s what I’m most known for and where my work has been most widely published. I’ve always looked for ways to take it outside the expected environments of the gym or the stage.
This is one of my favorite types of locations — open desert, harsh light, and the surreal presence of windmills. They fascinate me, and the setting makes an unexpected backdrop for the incredible and beautiful people I photograph.
You’ll find this photo — and a selection of other favorites — in my Featured Photographs gallery at https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000zYSGtyvq3Sg
I’m continually adding to the gallery from both my archives and recent work.
Gunfight Shoot
More from my archives, behind the scenes. This was an advertising shoot. The ad department sent me sketches of what they wanted and this was it exactly. Now I had a routine schedule of ads to shoot for them giving me time to produce them. But here they called me to let me know that they had made a mistake and needed it by the end of the week.
In four days we got it done. I had some good team members and a good reach for bodybuilding models. We arranged costumes, actual 19th century six guns, costumes and I searched and found a location. The ad ran in all of the bodybuilding and fitness magazines for months. And was seen online in front of millions of people.
The Pit At Muscle Beach
One of my all time favorite photographs I have shot at Muscle Beach Venice. I was thinking I have shot tens of thousands of photographs at Muscle Beach, but it is likely well into six digits. Bodybuilder Marc-arthur (Moses) Dautree.
Film Was Is Good
I was still shooting film for my gym features long after everyone else went to digital. Here my buddy Jake Sawyer was the subject for me shooting a Leica M7 with Kodak Tri-X film. I love the look of film shot with a Leica and still do.
I did have to go digital to accommodate the need for fast turnaround when I was shooting bodybuilding and fitness competitions. Most of the time the photos were uploaded and online for my client, Bodybuilding.com, by the next morning. More of the photos would then go to the magazines and be in the next print issues. I was shooting 25 – 30 competitions per year all around the country.
Curls and Pivotal
Among the things I do best, bodybuilding and fitness photography. And that is where I have been published many thousands of times over around the world. This photo of my friend Travis Ely doing curls from one of our shoots a few years ago.
However this photograph has another point to it that was pivotal for me. This photo was done with what was at the time, the latest Hasselblad digital camera. Although I had been shooting other digital cameras at the time, for shoots like this I was still shooting medium format film. The Hasselblad gave me the colors, skin tone and look that I preferred in film.
For you photographer out there; this was shot with the Hasselblad H4D-40 with the HC80mm lens. No additional lighting, just the overhead gym lighting and natural light coming in from the large front windows. ISO 800, f2.8 and 1/60th second, processed in Hasselblad Phocus. Hasselblad files processed in Phocus create an almost magical perfect result. Thanks!
Two In The Gym
Photo shoot with a Hasselblad digital camera system and Broncolor lighting. Thank You!
At Cruz 2 Fitness personal training gym here in Palm Springs with Naomi (and Naomi). Best personal training ever!
Fit In The Gym
What a great overall look of fitness! Weight training has done good for Naomi. From our photo shoot at Cruz 2 Fitness gym in Palm Springs. Real personal training that really makes all the difference. This is that on your refrigerator photo for after the holidays, new year fitness motivation!
Photo shoot notes… Hasselblad digital camera system and Broncolor lighting. Thanks!
Behind The Scenes In The Gym
Behind the scenes in a gym photo shoot at Cruz 2 Fitness in Palm Springs. Naomi worked hard for almost 4 hours. You really lift in my photo shoots. My friend Aaron Cruz has built a tremendous personal training gym. More to come. Thanks!
Gym Photo Shoots
Of all the bodybuilders I have photographed, amateur and the biggest name pros, it is Dan Decker who has probably appeared in more magazine features than any other.
T-Shirts T-Shirts T-Shirts
A Favorite Cover
I have had my share of covers; but this one always remains one of my very favorites. Maybe because of the back story about how it landed the cover and a multi-page feature just before deadline. With my longtime friend, bodybuilder Robert Hatch.
Want to shoot with me or have a photo or ad assignment? Send me a note and Thanks! Ian@SecondFocus.com
Natalie Lyle Muscle Shower
One of my most requested photographs. “Natalie Lyle Muscle Shower”. The incredible Natalie Lyle, 6ft tall in her bare feet, but in heels and her long muscled body. Available high quality professionally printed and shipped directly to you. From 8×10 to 24×30. Also available for licensing. Go right here… http://bit.ly/2Gh2Z3o
Note: Your print or licensed image will be without the watermark.
Watch for more of my photographs to also be made available soon. Thanks!
Nude, Instant & Fit
From our photo shoot with the gorgeous 56 year old Tammy Neslund. She is one incredibly fit Grandma and certainly a role model to be nude in our shoot. Love these throw back look instant print photographs with a Fujifilm Instax camera. The wonderful makeup by Estee Lauder featured artist Blanche LeBeau. At the Coachella Movie Ranch.
Accidental Behind The Scenes
This is fun… One of the extra cameras was in movie mode during our photo shoot for a couple of minutes. Tammy Neslund with Estee Lauder featured makeup artist, Blanche LeBeau. At the Coachella Movie Ranch; a superb shoot location.
An Extraordinary Woman!
Grandma!
Tammy Neslund, age 56, mother of two and grandmother. Being fit and healthy is better and is the fountain of youth!
From our photoshoot at the Coachella Movie Ranch. Makeup and styling with Estee Lauder featured artist Blanche Lebeau. Hasselblad digital camera system and Broncolor lighting. Thanks!
Fit At The Windfarm
One of my favorite photographs that I have ever shot. IFBB professional bodybuilder Tina Chandler after her appearance on stage at the prestigious Olympia in Las Vegas. Here in Palm Springs.
Amazing Transformation
From my photoshoot with my friend Jessica Holohan. I hardly recognized her, she built an incredible body. Perhaps one of the astounding transformations I have seen in my years as a bodybuilding and fitness photographer. Good job!
Squats & Social Media
From my photo shoot with Mark Ebinger and a Social Media post from it…
Lifting weights, a little or a lot, it all makes you stronger, no matter how old you are. For your body and your mind, working out has always been shown to be one of the best things you can do for yourself ever!
Come on in and give it a try at Palm Springs Fitness Center! For A Free 7-Day Pass, text PSFC to 95577. All in air-conditioned comfort and fun! And any questions, just check in with one of our trainers to get you going on your fitness journey. Thanks!
Iron – The Best Supplement
My favorite supplement has always been Iron! Lifted, pushed, pulled, and curled. Typically in as much weight as I could handle. One of the reasons I have always liked Palm Springs Fitness Center as my gym… 150lb dumbbells. Always needed them for one arm back rows.
Pro Bodybuilder and United States Marine Xavisus Gayden from one of our photo shoots. Thanks!
Look Good Naked
She said it not me… From a series I did for Bodybuilding.com. You will see me hard at work. The photographs went on to be magazine ads and features too. Thanks!
Fitness Journey
A thought from IFBB Professional figure competitor and fitness icon Ava Cowan from her magazine photo shoot at Palm Springs Fitness Center…
– The feeling of contentment to me is one of the most satisfying feelings in life. I can usually feel this to be present when I have arrived at and have become a higher version of myself, within my life’s journey, and fitness is a part of that journey.
– I thought to look up the definition. And after combing through several variations of the definition, this is a portion of one that resonated with me the most.
“Contentment is a mental or emotional state of satisfaction maybe drawn from being at ease in one’s situation, body and mind. Colloquially speaking, contentment could be a state of having accepted one’s situation and is a milder and more tentative form of happiness.”
– When I looked at this photograph last night, that is the exact emotion I see emitting through my eyes. I absolutely looked past the weight training aspect of the image. A moment in time and there I was… content.
– Contentment on my fitness journey in life captured in the moment.
Heavy Lifting
Some heavy lifting in a magazine photo shoot I did with IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Daniel Hill. At Palm Springs Fitness Center.
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