Clifford Oettinger, Part 1 - Glenn Bishop

Today we have a two part series on the work of Clifford Oettinger, a Chicago based photographer whose work can be hard to find.  Based on the sheer number of photos of him in Mr. Oettinger's portfolio, I'd say that Glenn Bishop was one of his favorite, or at least most willing, models.  Part one is all Glenn, and no, you won't be seeing him in one of his Dorothy Lamour lookalike swimsuits.

 

Lakeside Derriere

For whatever reason, there don't seem to be too many derriere photos of Glenn Bishop.

That's surprising since it was a reliable way to get nudity past the censorship laws.

 

Dead Tree

Mr. Oettinger used this large dead tree in several photo shoots,

but this photograph of Glenn Bishop is perhaps the best.

 

Woodland Stream

I have several photos from this session with a woodland stream, and they are all good.

 

Cover Man

Body Beautiful was an "art" magazine that was mainly pitched to gays.  Glenn Bishop was described in the accompanying cover article as "teen America's favorite bodybuilder."  It should be noted that Mr. Bishop won several titles and appeared on the covers of mainstream physical culture magazines.

 

Clifford Oettinger, Part 2 - All the others

A fairly reliable source says that the first model in part two, Don Fuller, posed for this photo by Cliff Oettinger.  I thought Mr. Fuller was a West Coast model, so I'm not so sure about that.

 

John Grimek

Clifford Oettinger took his turn at photographing the always impressive John Grimek.

 

Vic Seipke

Here's a nice solo image of Vic Seipke on Lake Michigan.

 

Jim Park

I was tempted to tone down the glare in this shot of Jim Park, but I left it as I found it.

 

Foursome

Closing out Clifford Oetting day with a lakeside photo of four bodybuilders.

My source says the first three (l-r) are Don van Fletteren, Jim Park, 

and Vic Seipke, but no name was given for the man at far right.

The picture was made at Oak Street Beach in Chicago.

 

Don van Fleteren and Vic Seipke

I think that's Lake Michigan in the background of this Clifford Oettinger

eolor photo of Don van Fleteren and Vic Seipke.

 

Vic Seipke

Vic Seipke makes a second appearance during Physique Week in this Clifford Oettinger photo.

 

1952 - Jim Park

Chicago native Jim Park won the 1952 Mr. America contest after a couple of unsuccessful tries. 

 He went on to win Mr. Universe in 1954.  Mr. Park appears above in a British magazine 

and below in a photo generally unattributed to Clifford Oettinger.

 

Glenn by Clifford

This woodland scene is Glenn Bishop by Clifford Oettinger.

 

Oettinger

This trio photograph was made by Clifford Oettinger, and features 

Vic Seipke with Jim Park at center plus an unknown model at left.

 

Vic Seipke Triple Feature, Part 2 - Magazine Covers

Part Two of our Vic Seipke triple feature has three of his magazine covers.

Although the on-line seller of this copy of Muscle Power didn't say so, I'm pretty sure 

the photo is by Clifford Oettinger.  You'll see more from this session in Part Three.

 

Duo with Don van Fleet

In the first of two Clifford Oettinger photos in today's series made on Lake Michigan,

Vic Seipke appears on a bench with Don van Fleet.

 

Likely Oettinger

Although my source didn't clearly indicate, I'm pretty sure this is one 

of the Clifford Oettinger photos from the Lake Michigan shore.

I have to say that it's absolutely beautiful in every way.

 

Glenn Bishop Day

I've recently been corresponding with a Viking from Phoenix who requested more photos of Glenn Bishop.  I'm more than happy to oblige, and we start with one in the woods by Clifford Oettinger.

 

With Richard Alan

Glenn Bishop's business associate Richard Alan appears with him here.  Glenn is wearing a men's bathing suit he designed which was said to have been inspired by Dorothy Lamour's sarong.

The photographer here was Clifford Oettinger.