Category Archives: Photography
Taschen Books As Investments
“TASCHEN books are almost designed to be collectible.
It’s very common for a TASCHEN book to gain value almost instantly.”
Since the TASCHEN adventure began in 1980, it has been our goal to make
the greatest books in the world. Whatever the subject and whatever the
retail price—from $10 to $10,000—we strive to produce, design, and
package each of our books beautifully, with a great deal of care and
attention to detail. The collectors who buy a limited edition book early
on will have, in addition to a rare and exceptional book, the added
benefit of seeing their asset appreciate; our collector’s editions have
been known to have their value multiply, in some cases reaching ten
times their original price.
book. Of course, it was just a regular edition. Nothing super collectible. But I loved the titles and topics they published.
Lovers of beautiful books adore Taschen. A publisher of art books, Taschen
was created by Benedikt Taschen in 1980 in Cologne, Germany. It was
originally centered on comics only, when the then-18-year-old Taschen
found himself with an enormous collection of new, rare and collectible
comics, and decided to set up a (25 meters square) shop to display and
sell them. It went so well that by the end of the 1980s, Taschen titles
could be found in multiple languages at prices reasonable enough to make
art more accessible to everyone.
Now, 39 years after its inception, the company’s mission has long
been to publish innovative, beautifully designed art books at prices
that don’t alienate or limit the audience, and they have seven offices
employing over 150 staff. Taschen is well known for its abundant,
gorgeous coffee-table art books, its impressive selection of comics and
graphic novels, and for never shying away from potentially controversial
subject matter, sexuality in particular. While many of their
publications run to design, décor and artist profiles, many taboo or
underground artistic subjects like sexual fetishism and erotica have
been brought more into mainstream notice and availability thanks to
Taschen.
INNdulge Palm Springs
Naked Men in the Desert
CHRIS KLUWE Shows His Support for Marriage Equality in OUT
Chris Kluwe ‘shows’ his
Kluwe has also said via his Twitter account that he’s ready and willing to debate any Minnesota politician on the same-sex marriage issue.
“Citizens united – corporations are not people,” he told CNN. “And if you look at our current election, we’re spending over a billion dollars to decide who our next President is going to be, and to me, that says that money has an overriding influence in our politics right now.”
Kluwe says he’s merely reaching out to speak for those he feels are not properly represented.
Hottie Swimmer Tom Daley gets WET and Nearly Naked in his Calender
Tom Daley reveals pictures from his official 2013 calendar
By Shaun Knittel
Best Gay News
Magazine Staff Writer
Tom Daley, the 18-year-old Olympic medalist, who recently
spoke of his interest in a potential film career, released photos where he
appears topless and soaked in water, September 26 in a series of snaps from the
upcoming calendar, his first official one.
was really funny to do,” said Daley, “Someone had to pour a bucket of
water over me, it wasn’t cold, it was sort of lukewarm. It took a few takes to
get it right though because the water needed to be in the right place.”
London 2012 Olympics and holding up his bronze medal, which the Devon-born
diver says is his favorite picture.
it will be a funny present. My friends all think the calendar is really
funny,” Tom adds. “It’s a mick take almost. It’s the first calendar
I’ve done and it was good fun. I really enjoyed it and I just hope people like
it.”
For the record, Daley hasn’t declared he is gay or straight.
Get his book now!
A Day With HIV Photo Contest
digital photograph on Friday September 21 to record a moment of their
day that will focus the world’s attention on the daily trials and
triumphs of people living with HIV.
Positively Aware, (Positivelyaware.com),
also announced today that it has named Chuck Panozzo, Sheryl Lee Ralph
and Diego Sanchez to the panel of judges for its “A Day with HIV”
photographic portrait campaign. The judges will make the final selection
of photographs to be published in the November/December issue of
Positively Aware, on the magazine’s web site and on the A Day with HIV
web site (Adaywithhiv.com).
ABOUT THE JUDGES
– Chuck Panozzo (Chuckpanozzo.com)
Bass player for the band Styx
– Sheryl Lee Ralph (Sherylleeralph.com)
American actress, singer and activist
– Diego Sanchez of Rep. Barney Frank’s office
First openly trans person to work on Capitol Hill and a national
LGBT leader and HIV/AIDS advocate
ABOUT “A DAY WITH HIV”
On Friday, September 21, people everywhere, both HIV positive and
negative, can share an image of coping and care through the lens of a
camera. For the third year A Day with HIV will help remove the stigma of
HIV and to advance an international community of care through this
collective photographic portrait. On Friday, September 21 anyone can
record a special image, a time with friends and family, at work or play,
or any moment in the day that helps people better understand how HIV
impacts people, loved ones, colleagues and communities. Photos need to
be submitted by Tuesday, September 25 on the A Day with HIV web site.
Follow A Day with HIV’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/
I Want My RENOVA Sexy Toilet Paper from Portugal
I want RENOVA!!
FOR A SUPERIOR HYGIENE
Renova Fraîcheur is a pioneer
generation of toilet paper thanks to its active softness. Tiny drops of
rich cream envelop the fibres of this tissue paper, enriching its
structure with moisturising compounds.
Soft fibres start off the process, by cleaning your skin, causing this contact to release a soft moisturising cream.
This “luxury” brand called Renova from Spain, takes a more fashionista and sexual approach than the majority of other toilet paper brands. VERY HOT AND SEXY – plus, they say it is the softest paper ever made for your bum! They even have BLACK toilet paper! Whats really cool also is they sell it in places like subway stations and other large public spots so you can grab some rolls on the go! A Portuguese brand.
AIDS Memorial Quilt Now Online
It won an Oscar and was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. At 1.3 million square
feet, it would take up almost half the office space in the new One World Trade Center tower in New
York. It received a “Save America’s Treasures” federal grant to preserve it for future
generations.
When the AIDS Memorial Quilt was first displayed on the National Mall in October 1987, it
consisted of 1,920 panels. Now, the quilt is too large to display in its entirety. Parts of it are
being shown throughout the capital this week during the International AIDS Conference here.
Each of its 3-by-6-foot panels — about the size of a human grave — tells the story of a person’s
life with the smallest biographical details: favorite pieces of clothing, stuffed animals, poems,
paintings, photographs.
But sewn together, the quilt’s 48,000 panels convey the enormity of an epidemic that has killed
hundreds of thousands of Americans during three decades — and millions more people worldwide.
READ MORE
NOW the ENTIRE quilt can be viewed online see the thousands of panels! Enlarge and scroll around to view them.
Jack Mackenroth, Poz Army, and Sexy Underwear
JACK MACKENROTH has been posting some amazing new photos on Facebook this week, and I just had to share some of them! Jack has such a stunning look in front of the camera. That body! Those eyes! Sigh…….
Jack continues to travel the country speaking about HIV education and
fighting the stigma. He will be at this years World AIDS conference in
DC on July 20th with the POZ ARMY. (pozarmy.com)
Poz Army is a grass roots movement to reenergize the fight against HIV
and AIDS and to push for a cure. Jack is a “general” in the POZ ARMY
joined by fellow celebrity activists like Olympian Greg Louganis, singer
Jamar Rogers from The Voice, Ongina from RuPaul’s Drag Race, the
“Berlin Patient” Timothy Brown, who is the first person cured of AIDS,
and many other activists. You can do your part by following POZ ARMY on
twitter @pozarmy and showing support on Facebook.
Jack is in the
final stages of preparation the launch of a dating/hook-up site and
mobile app for HIV+ guys. HIV+ men often don’t feel welcome on the
existing sites and are tired of having to have “the conversation” or
worrying about when to disclose their status. This new site will cater
to HIV+ men and help combat the stigma through visibility. All the
models are HIV+ and members don’t have to feel the stigma of living with
HIV. It goes live on September 1st after beta testing. Unfortunately the site name is still confidential. Check Jack’s facebook page for updates in August.
Initially
the site will be fairly simple in order to build membership. We all
know sex sells so that’s part of it but it will also have a heath and
resource section. As the site grows and we will to build more of a
community aspect where people can chat in forums and we can partner with
other agencies. We want to have cutting edge information on studies and
medication.
We’ve also partnered with Dr. Frank Spinelli who is are go
to guy for HIV education. This could have a massive affect on building a
solid HIV+ community of men who have sex with men.There has never been a
site like this before and we aim to hit a million members.
The site
will be free to sign up and members control their content so Jack
encourages everyone to take a look.
And if you are not following
Jack on Twitter--get on it!! He was voted Best Gay Tweeter of 2011/2012
by National Lampoon and one of the Top 10 Celebrity Tweeters by
Metrosource magazine.
He’s hilarious!
AND Sexy!
Stunning photos by West Phillips
Gas Prices Rising Again Thanks to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan
This has NOTHING to do with GAY NEWS – but I thought it was a must see!
While gas is .09 cents a gallon over in Abu-Dhabi, it’s $4.50 here! Do you think they are making money off us??
This mansion belongs to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan. The former president of the United Arab Emirates.
That car, is not painted Silver – it is pure SILVER!
See more BIG Mansions.
Cool and Fun Photo Cards from Fabulous Stationary
FABULOUS STATIONARY has just launched Create Your Own Photo Cards.
Ready for your close-up? Create unforgettable note cards featuring
photos of your family, friends, pets — anyone near and dear to you.
Great for Union/Marriage announcements, party invites, thank you cards and more.
Each photo design comes in three color combinations. Simply upload your photo, personalize the message on the front (and
inside too, if you like), and preview your card. It’s that easy!
Photo cards are priced at $55 for a set of 20. Every set includes
our signature return address feature.. “we print the return address
directly on the back of the card..then when slipped into out window
envelopes the address shows through . Our cards are sized at 6.24″ wide
by 4.5″ high.”
How cool is that?
Fabulous Stationary Photo Cards
Male Supermodel Tyrone Nell Launches New Site
I first discovered Tyrone Nell about 3 years ago.
I thought he was extremely handsome and have always believed he is destined for greatness.
At the age of 24, Cape Town born Tyrone Nell has been rated as one of South Africa’s sexiest men and has built up a following both locally and internationally.
Tyrone’s career kicked off in London when he ventured outside of South African boarders after completing his school career. It was there where his interest in the entertainment industry became apparent.
With
his striking looks and bubbly personality it is easy to
see why people fall in love with him. Tyrone has worked
with some of the biggest international and local brands
including FHM, L’Oreal, Schwarzkopf, Edgars, Bonewear
Underwear, Wonder Jock, Corrupt Underwear and FTV to name
but a few and has also worked alongside some of the
country’s top designers and photographers.
He has just launched a new and updated website, chock full of scorching hot images, a blog and more.
TYRONE NELL.com
Stop by and SAY HI to him! LIKE him on Facebook and Follow his TWEETS.
Benetton Ads for UN HATE Create Drama with the Vatican
BENETTON
recently created digitally altered ads as part of an “unhate” campaign featuring
political and religious leaders, including President Obama and Chinese
President Hu Jintao as well as French President Nicolas Sarkozy and
German Chancellor Angela Merkel kissing.
BRILLIANT!
Well, the Vatican did not think so. After strong protests from the Vatican, the Italian clothing company Benetton has pulled an ad showing Pope Benedict XVI kissing a senior Egyptian imam, the BBC reports.
Vatican spokesman Federico Lomabardi called the ad “absolutely
unacceptable” and said it showed “a grave lack of respect for the pope
(and) an offense to the feelings of believers …”
The public-relations- savvy clothing company has frequently mounted
controversial ad campaigns, including one showing a nun kissing a priest
and a man dying of AIDS.
“We are sorry that the use of an image of the pontiff and the imam
should have offended the sensibilities of the faithful in this way,”
Benetton said in a statement.
PROMOMO is the new MySpace for Artists Around the World
There are a couple amazing artists (and hotties)
I have discovered through MySpace and Facebook.
David PEREIRA is one and Eike von Stuckenbrok is another, I just love!!
Today I discovered a new site, PROMOMO.
Promomo is a platform for artists to PROMOte them selfs.
And for agents/producers to scout their perfect candidate for a new shows.
Promomo is a fastest growing art community in the world!
As an artist you can promote yourself internationally
and meet the agents and producers from around the globe.
As an agent/producer you can search for the artist you really need for your next project.
And as a spectator you can sit back, relax and enjoy watching clips of the artists
After few months of being down due to system overload they are finally back.
This time stronger then ever.
So what’s new in this version?
1.Full HD. Now you can upload your videos in HD format.
2.New state of the art video player.
3.Much more channels.
4. in 24 languages.
Very soon they will launch a new product PROMOMO/DANCE dedicated to dancers,
PROMOMO/SPORT for athletes and PROMOMO/MUSIC for musicians!!!
They are working around the clock to make this service
your only site to watch,book,scout and promote circus oriented acts.
It’s free to sign up and easy to use for everyone !!!!
POSITIVELY AWARE Magazine Announces “A Day with HIV in America” Photo Essay
To commemorate World AIDS Day, POSITIVELY AWARE magazine is compiling a photo essay entitled “A Day with HIV in America.” On September 21, people from all across the country, both HIV-positive and negative, care providers, lawmakers, advocates, families, and friends will take a snapshot of a moment from their everyday life.
The photo essay hopes to present a portrait of our world and to put a face on HIV/AIDS in the U.S., in an effort to de-stigmatize life with HIV. Selected photos will appear in a special section of the November/December issue of POSITIVELY AWARE. Additional photo submissions will be available for viewing at A Day with HIV . Social media users can join others who are involved in the project on the Facebook group “A Day with HIV in America,” and also take part in the conversation on Twitter .
Using a digital camera or cell phone, the photos will capture a scene: Getting ready for work. Hanging out with friends. Spending a quiet moment alone. Caring for someone with HIV. The idea is to come up with the person’s own response to the question, “What does it mean to live with HIV?”
Photos are to be submitted by September 23 to artdirector @ positivelyaware.com. Submissions must include the person’s name (and the names of anyone else in the photo), phone number (of all participants), HIV status (optional), and a caption describing the scene, giving the location and time of day the picture was taken. Signed release forms will also be required for submissions to be considered.
Photos can be in JPEG, TIF, or RAW file format, and must have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi at 4 x 5 inches. Photos can be color or black and white. Cell phone camera photos are acceptable, provided that they meet resolution requirements.
POSITIVELY AWARE is an internationally known and respected magazine devoted to HIV treatment and wellness. It has a circulation of over 85,000, and is published bi-monthly by Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN) in Chicago, the only publication of its kind to be produced by a non-profit AIDS agency. Founded in 1987, TPAN is Chicago’s oldest peer-led AIDS service organization and specializes in treatment information, support services, and prevention.
To order copies of the magazine, call (773) 989-9400 or email distribution @ tpan.com. For more information about TPAN and POSITIVELY AWARE magazine visit TPAN and Positively Aware .
Best Gay News
Best Gay Chicago
SOLOMON – Shades of Black and The Love Rocker Project
In case you have been under a rock lately….
Born a Capricorn in San Diego, CA, Electronic Hip-Pop recording artist Solomon (born Solomon Raymond Barnett) began performing in numerous dance troupes and church choirs, where he grew a strong affinity towards sound and music. In 2008, Solomon began recording music with fellow artist Robbery, making the Hip-Hop duo, The Black Market.
Shortly going solo, Solomon released his first mixtape, Rhyting Rhymes Vol. 1, 2008, as an openly gay musician. Sparking mass interest, Solomon was part of a huge introduction of new out Hip-Hop rappers. Garnishing him multiple magazine interviews, shows and a guest on Eminem’s Sirius Radio’s Uncut Channel Shade45. In August 2008, he released the follow-up of his first mixtape, titled respectively, Rhyting Rhymes Vol. 2. The second mixtape slowly introduced a more mainstream Pop sound, with his crossover single, “Feelin’ Brand New.” After promoting the mixtape and doing shows, Solomon began working on a new project entitled, “Shades of Black.”
“Shades of Black” is Solomon’s first attempt at songwriting and producing. Taking eleven months to create, it also marks his departure from underground Hip-Hop to a genre he likes to call, Electronic Hip-Pop (Electronic production, Pop lyrics and a touch of Hip-Hop style). “People think that there is only one shade to the color black. But actually there are several shades.” Solomon describes the title of the EP. “My listeners and audience- and critics have tried to box me into something and label me into what is only a small portion of me. This is my time to show everyone all my layers. All my shades.”
Fueled by a difficult breakup and an even harder depression, the lyrics of “Shades of Black” convey the heartache of an unrequited love. While the lyrics are heartbreaking, the Electronic production fools the audience into thinking it is simply dance music. “For some odd reason it was very difficult for me to write anything happy during the songwriting process of this release,” Solomon explains. “There are some musicians who can easily turn it on and off, but it was inevitable, all my songs were very somber. So I decided to produce the music more upbeat to trick the listeners into thinking they were listening to the latest dance music. Something fun.” Influenced by an era in history that is long gone, Solomon takes you on a journey through the end of the Disco era into the late 1980’s early 1990’s. Recruiting producers from Miami, Australia and France, each track is a mixture of worldwide sounds, melodic tempos and an electronic baseline you cannot ignore. All the songs off the 7 track EP are written by Solomon himself, and produced or co-produced by him as well.
Photographer Renie Saliba lensed this new promotional image in anticipation of his upcoming sophomore CD, “The Love Rocker Project,” out in July 2010!
Barbra Streisand My Passion for Design Book November 2010
At 68, Barbra Streisand
is writing her first book —
but it’s no memoir.
“I’m a little too private. I’m not ready to write about my life,” Streisand said Tuesday at the opening of BookExpo America, a publishing convention.
She said she tried writing a few chapters of an autobiography but quit after deciding that “this is hard. I’d rather write a book about design.”
That $60 coffee table book, My Passion for Design , will be released Nov. 16. It will feature 350 photographs of a complex of houses Streisand helped design in Malibu, Calif.
There’s her “main house,” where she lives; an “elegant barn,” which she described as her art project; her “mill house” with 200-year-old beams; and a guest house, nicknamed “Grandma’s house” by Streisand’s husband, James Brolin.
It’s a long way from her childhood in Brooklyn, N.Y. In a staged interview at the convention with Gayle King, editor at large of O magazine, Streisand mentioned her father, a teacher who died when she was 15 months old, and how her family couldn’t afford a couch until her mother remarried when Streisand was 8.
“Maybe that’s why I love couches,” she said.
She linked her favorite color, burgundy, to a sweater she had as a child and described her love of “pure lipstick red.”
Her passion for architecture blossomed, she said, in 1994 when a movie she was supposed to direct, an adaptation of Larry Kramer’s play The Normal Heart, fell apart. “A house became my project. I made a house instead of a movie.”
King asked Streisand if she kept anything in her California homes that remind her of her New York childhood.
“You mean like egg creams?” Streisand quipped.
King persisted.
“No,” Streisand replied. “We lived in a $40-a-month apartment. Five people shared one bathroom.
I have nothing that reminds me of that.”
PRE-ORDER NOW AND SAVE!!My Passion for Design
Luizo Vega – Is he Really Madonna’s Secret Son?
ARTIST, PERFORMER, FILM MAKER LUIZO VEGA gives us another teaser for
MATERIAL BOY – MADONNAS SECRET SON !
Watch the movie trailers !
There are some amazing videos and remixes on YouTube !
The producer, Jesus Lucia tols me, “first there will be a premiere in Paris,
then another in New York in 2010
and then in 2011 will begin its tour of some festivals.
We are filming the last scenes and beginning the edition.”
Material Boy 2010
Jeff Koons Shoots GAY BUNNY RABBITS for New York Times Article
First Gay Penguins…
Now Gay Bunny Rabbits!
In recent years, more biologists have been looking objectively at same-sex sexuality in animals — approaching it as real science.
“Various forms of same-sex sexual activity have been recorded in more than 450 different species of animals by now, from flamingos to bison to beetles to guppies to warthogs…”
Does this help the gay movement?
Some say yes, some say no.
Read the full article at New York Times.
Sidenote – JEEF KOONS shot the image for New York Times and is getting a little flack. Is it really necessary to hire a top artist/photographer for a silly photo when many services like istock photo and Super Stock offer stock images for a FRACTION of the price? Then, publishers claim they are going bankrupt because of the Internet and Digital Media!
That’s a bunch of BS!
Male SuperModel Ronnie Kroell Gets Hard for Playgirl Magazine
Chicago’s Ronnie Kroell was the only gay contestant on the first year of Make Me A Super Model. He came in second place but the exposure has been HUGE for him and his career.
He has been in the news a lot lately with the buzz around his Playgirl photo shoot!
A couple months ago, Daniel Nardicio of Playgirl secured Ronnie for a photo shoot. The Levi Johnston shoot created quite a stir, but Ronnie will go FULL FRONTAL, all the way! The shoot happened this past week.
I spoke to Daniel last night. He called me from New York. “Ronnie Kroell is shot and DONE! He was shot by Lope Navo Wednesday at The Grace Hotel. And I have to say, it’s going to be groundbreaking for Playgirl. The shots are amazing, and Ronnie is yes, hard and full frontal. You will GAG!”
Ronnie revealed, “The theme of the shoot was to celebrate fashion and one’s ability to express themselves, but also throughout the shoot, being able to see beyond the clothing labels and beyond the labels that society puts on us to reveal something we all have – the human body, fragile, vulnerable and beautiful.”
And he added, “I am VERY happy to have worked with a truly talented creative team on this PLAYGIRL COVER SHOOT. Stay tuned for pictures to be released on or before MAY 15th and to get your own copy of the SUMMER 2010 issue of PLAYGIRL on JUNE 15th!!”
Daniel is very excited as well. He told me, “I’m convinced that the Ronnie Kroell shoot will bring Playgirl up to a whole new level.
The entire crew made for an exciting day for Playgirl, and a next step in our evolution as a magazine. I trust readers are going to love it. IT WAS GREAT! Honestly, it could not have gone better!”
Best Gay Chicago / Best Gay News
Apple vs. Adonis Mag….Apple says Guys in Speedos or Underwear is PORN!
ADONIS MAG
is the latest casualty in Apple’s censorship war!
Launched in December, ADONIS MAG was an iphone app that featured exclusive images by world-famous photographers bringing their own vision of the male form and exploring beyond fashion, by venturing into the art of the body. It was a magazine, loaded to your phone. And it was non-pornographic!
Just 5 issues later, Apple has pulled the plug. Stating they felt that guys in speedos and underwear, was like porn!
Apple has decided to play judge and jury. They have now gotten into the highly subjective business of deciding how much skin on even a swimsuit photo is too much for its puritanical values, and is reportedly banning “sexual connotations” and “innuendo.”
According to a developer, “Wobble” creator Jon Atherton, who claims to have spoken with Apple, the new policies include:
- “No images of women in bikinis (Ice skating tights are not OK either)”
- “No images of men in bikinis! (I didn’t ask about Ice Skating tights for men)”
- “No skin (he seriously said this) (I asked if a Burqa was OK, and the Apple guy got angry)”
- “No silhouettes that indicate that Wobble can be used for wobbling boobs (yes – I am serious, we have to remove the silhouette in this pic)”
- “No sexual connotations or innuendo: boobs, babes, booty, sex – all banned”
- “Nothing that can be sexually arousing!! (I doubt many people could get aroused with the pic above but those puritanical guys at Apple must get off on pretty mundane things to find Wobble “overtly sexual!)”
- “No apps will be approved that in any way imply sexual content (not sure how Playboy is still in the store, but …)”
This past week, Apple plug the plug on ADONIS MAG.
This is ridiculous!
Apple already has parental controls in place. And we are not talking NUDITY here!
I for one, have written APPLE and told them this is crazy.
I went online to the Apple store and PLAYBOY IS STILL THERE!
Are they just targeting the gays????
Best Gay News
GREGG HOMME – Behind the Scenes of the Sexiest Underwear and Swimwear Brand
Founded in 1987, GREGG HOMME is a Canadian brand of audacious and groundbreaking
men’s underwear, swimwear and clubwear. Through years of innovations
and daring creations, GREGG HOMME has built an outstanding reputation for
fabulous quality, exceptional design, and astonishing fit.
With the desire to fascinate people by creating something unseen, new, comfortable
and yet aesthetically wonderful, GREGG HOMME celebrates the man who is
comfortable with himself, his style and his life.
Each year, boundaries are pushed, and the bar is raised!
And SEXY just got SEXIER!
Some amazingly hot styles this year will be hitting the shelves in just a few weeks!
MUST SEE VIDEO – BEHIND THE SCENES! You can even save it for your iPhone!
BEST GAY NEWS
