When I was preparing my post above on Nick Adams it became clear some of the hottest pics of Nick out there were by New York based Photographer Hans W Fahrmeyer. I also realized that although I have posted many of my favorite shots from Hans in the past, I had not taken the time to post specifically about this talented and complicated artist.
Many of you know Hans work, besides his books you can often seen Hans work in Advertising, Editorials and he has been featured in many magazines including including Time Magazine, Newsweek, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Burda, Madame, Connaisseur, Opera Monthly, Men’s Workout, Insider, Camera & Darkroom, Shing (Japan). Of course many of us know Hans for shooting the cover for iconic book 'Boy Culture'. Hans has also done some amazing work recently shooting the men from Empire Models.
Hans was born in Hamburg, Germany and immigrated to the U.S. in 1979, and established a studio in the West Village. I have heard a few stories about Hans studio which has been described as pretty minimalist with only what Hans needs for his work and very little more. Hans lives and breathes his work and not only has produced some amazing shots of models but to me some of his hottest shots are his work photographing Gay New York nightlife. His shots of Gay Clubs are not only incredibly hot, but also, to me, express both extreme sexuality in combination with extreme isolation, and maybe even loneliness. Both of these come through colorful images of men showcased in alive party type atmospheres. I love them! There is something about the theme of being alone in a crowd I find fascinating.
First three shots above of Miles Miller.
Besides Empire's Miles Miller (above) many of you know that Hans has worked many times with one of my favorites (and I Know yours) Philip Fusco. Hans's work with Philip showcases both raw sex appeal mixed with sweet venerability.
Below: Some of my favorite shots by Hans of Philip Fusco.
Nick Adams says Hans is a master of light and says his shoot with Hans was one of his favorites. Others have described an oddness with Hans, but a sweet oddness that exudes both complexity and brilliance. A man of few words. Hans insists on perfection and this is evident in the work he allows us to see. His technical approach to shooting, devoid of flash and concept, instead focusing the lens on the subject in front of him. His Len's is sharper than many and often seems to weed the weak from the strong.
Since 1989, he has been staff photographer for the Santa Fe Opera in New Mexico.
Inspired by Mapplethorpe, Horst and Ritts, Fahrmeyer’s technique manifests [celebrate] the human body as sculpture in a sensuous interplay of light and shadow. If you frequent NY night life, you just might run into Hans. If you do, and he see's something special about you, he just might slip you his card. You don't have to be Philip Fusco, Miles Miller or Nick Adams to get the Fahrmeyer touch, he just has to see something special in you.
Hans to me has all the qualities of a true artist, both tormented and crazy talented. Maybe the oddness some describe is not really so odd. Maybe Hans was born in the wrong era. Hans expresses the qualities of many artists of the past, qualities we seem to have beaten out of many of artists due to their need to make money and promote themselves so that the public will adore them. All we really need to adore is an artist's work and in this case I most certainly do.
Check out Hans official site HERE: Also check out Amazon for some of Hans books and products including 'Between Men and Women' 'Between Men' and 'Colours of Men'.
Some info From Hans official site.
