Clifford was one of the 1950's photographers for whom we have a very limited amount of documented work. He was active in Michigan around the same time as Douglas of Detroit and shows up later in Hollywood doing "legitimate" muscle magazine work. This duo is Ken Colby and Ralph Kleiner.
I like duos!!!
ReplyDeleteLovely duo. That slight air of nervousness. A pity Ken's arm puts Ralph's bits in shadow.
ReplyDeleteThey do look somewhat uncomfortable, and the positioning was probably for legal reasons.
DeleteGreat combined pose though. Good point..no naughty bits..
DeleteThis photo is more about staying legal than it is about the symbolism. I can imagine the photographer telling them to touch each other but not provocatively,and hide each other's junk while not looking at each other or the camera. And, oh yeah, look like you're enjoying yourself, but not too much.
ReplyDeleteGood analysis, Greggy. This picture pretty much summarizes how complicated it was to be in that business at that time.
DeleteI'm fairly certain i knew Cliff. He also lived and worked in Chicago. Moved to MPLS to care for his elderly father, worked at Dayton's Dept. Store in the display department. Retired and moved to West Hollywood where he died - if it's the same guy. The Cliff I knew did muscle/male nude photography, but never discussed it and never showed his work.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the same guy. I believe Mr. Oettinger did some of his bodybuilding magazine work in Chicago, so that fits.
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