Product Description

In his most daring and original collection of male erotica to date, Tom Bianchi presents a body of work that will startle and challenge the world of photography. Eschewing the settings normally associated with his work outdoors, Bianchi returns to the studio to create these raw, powerful, and intensely intimate portraits of gay men.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2146342 in Books
• Published on: 1998-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 96 pages

Amazon.com Review
For years, Tom Bianchi thought certain of his photographic studies of male nudes were unpublishable, too frankly erotic. Then a mentor explained to him that "the better pictures were the ones which took the viewer behind closed doors." For In the Studio, Bianchi frees himself from all restraints, reveling in male bodies galore. (If artwork that contains even the suggestion of sexuality offends you, consider yourself warned.) Quite a few of the photographs play with the idea of images and representation, as Bianchi poses his models in front of life-size drawings and mirrors, and even makes the occasional appearance in the mirror himself, a camera held tightly to his eye. In Richard/Bound, Bianchi reenacts the Prometheus myth, substituting a gradually ripped jockstrap for the eating of the liver, bringing the series of photos--and the model--to a provocative climax. "Authority is inevitably impotent to suppress the beauty I see," Bianchi exults. In the Studio certainly puts paid to that assessment.

Customer Reviews

HOT HOT HOT-Bianchi's Best and Most Erotic Work To Date
I have been a long time fan of Tom Bianchi's work (he is a close 2nd on my list of favorite photographers .. behind Bruce Weber), and have always thought that he has pushed the envelope of Nude Male Photography. He doesnt just take pics of solo glamour boys in coy poses.. He takes pictures of naked men in homoerotic situations interacting with each other while nude. He pushes that envelope even further with "In the Studio." This is simply a daring and breathtaking work. While "out of the studio" referred to being open and free to be yourself among "extraordinary friends,".." In the studio" takes advantage of the privacy and security that the studio provides, allowing more erotic situations to surface. He pushes the envelope by illicting images that male nude photographers today shy away from, and some might consider fit only for pornography, but i agree with Mr. Bianchi in that "there is no such thing as pornography, just bad camera angles". "In the Studio" features an array of erections, sexual situations, and yes.. orgrasms... Meaning that many models are shown with all out erections, some show models carressing their erect penises, even a pic of two body builders caressing each other's penises in their hands. Even pushing this idea further, there are about 3 photos where the models have climaxed, leaving trails of semen on their ripped torsos. Another interesting thing about this book, is that often, Tom, has put mirrors strategically placed so you can see him taking the pictures. In these pictures, Tom is also nude while snapping the pictures. This really gives you insight to the process of taking the pictures, and makes you feel more like a part of the action. (I wonder if he was nude the whole time while taking the pictures for his previous efforts) :) .. also.. It was a pleasant surprise to see how great his body is.. no wonder he has such appreciation for the male body. This is definately the best book of Nude Male !Photography i have come across in some time.. So.. why didnt i give it a '10' rating?? There is only one thing i would have shown different. The majority of the pictures in the book are taken from the model's neck down... Or often their face is turned away from the camera.. I thought this was the biggest crime in the pic of the two bodybuilders holding each other's penises. If the pic was showing them in a deep kiss, or a romantic look, would have pushed the pic over the edge of eroticism ... My second complaint is just pure selfishness.. I WANTED MORE!! I hated reaching the end of the book, and am eagerly awaiting his next volume..So Tom if your readng this... hint hint :) I hope you enjoyed my review.. I am not a professional writer (as you can tell by reading this review), i am just a fan of Male Nude Erotica in Film and Photography.. Please feel free to email me and tell me what you think of my review, and talk about your fave books :)

Man's Own Presence: Simultaneously Strong and Fragile
I must agree wholeheartedly w/ Matthew Fisher of Bend, OR, who also reviewed this latest powerful work of Tom's. Tom's presence is made both an example as well as an undertone throughout. Through his eyes, I find it hard (i.e., difficult) if not impossible not to celebrate male power, animal magnetism, strength, and grace, as well as man's innate physical mortality. All the more reason to make the most of who we are and, as a community of men in the larger global family, catalyze and synergize the fulfillments of the obligations we have to our holistic selves: body, mind, spirit, will. The embracing of strength, power, and physical beauty is an obvious inclination for most; however, Tom shows us that, in addition to this, recognizing and embracing our vulnerability is never an act of cowardice, but rather, a quintessential way of knowing how to offer each other ourselves as complete human beings, as friends, as lovers, as playground and gym buddies, and as proud men. Tom, we love you always for this reminder!

Touching the Truth
Bianchi's photographs seem to have stolen a thought from everyone's mind that views his art. Exploring new experiences of sexual exploration, Bianchi goes where most photographers have only dreamed of. I am moved to say there is no such work as pornography, only pictures. However, the most innovative of all Bianchi's bold explorations is the inclusion of himself in the photos he shoots. Whether he is visible or there is subtle feeling of his presence, the artist's image seems to manifest itself in every frame, more vividly than before. This collection of photographs is by far more introspective and inviting than any of his work to date.