Expression Of Male Beauty
On his website, photographer Ian Robert Knight says the work is an expression of his vision of male beauty. In America, the word 'beauty' is not often used in association with men. Here, beauty is generally connected with women and when used to describe a man is not always intended as a compliment. Ian's work is both beautiful and innately masculine.
Masculinity in America is generally connected to physical prowess, strength and fitness. You can see these influences in the modeling world, especially in the growth of fitness industry. The Journal of Men's Health conducted a study in 2008, asking men from China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan what they consider as important masculinity attributes and the results were somewhat different. The majority considered ‘having a good job’, ‘being seen as a man of honour’ and ‘being in control of his own life’ as the most important attributes.
Although I would never try to generalize one culture (and Asia is made up of many many cultures) having attributes for masculinity that one can actually control is incredibly empowering and to me also incredibly sexy. In America it seems 'big' is what it is all about, bigger muscles, bigger penis, bigger bank accounts. Although we all strive, and although we like to pretend being a good person is what is most important it is not something we readily reward.
Issac (not Isaac), is Vietnamese from Chinese descent. He is a University student in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, speaks perfect English, likes to travel and work out. Although China works hard to keep Western influences at bay, Ian says that is not the case in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Issac is trying to build up his body to Western ideals. Most Vietnamese men are naturally lean and slender. Although not shy, Issac feels that his body is not good enough compared to what he sees in the Western culture that floods Vietnam's media. It is rather ironic that precisely what I am seeing as so beautiful is something someone wants to change.
'Shooting Issac was a long process. I was living in Hong Kong when we first met and I went to HCMC to meet him in person. He is a full time University student, and couldn't find time to be photographed during my visit. We had followed up over the next year, and finally managed to do a shoot about 16 months after we met, during one of his breaks. When we managed to find time to do a shoot, it was very last minute. There was no theme planned, and no wardrobe set out. He even borrowed a swimsuit from the friend whose apartment we shot the photos in. The whole shoot took place over a span of about 2 hours, and Issac was quite skilled at posing, considering he'd never been photographed before.'
Ian Robert Knight
Ian has been shooting professionally for about 20 years, but turned his focus to photographing men 5 years ago. Currently Ian teaches photography at a private college in Beijing, mostly to foreigners.
'Many of the men I photograph are true beginners. Most have never been photographed professionally until I did so. It's tough sometimes, to work with an unskilled model, but I find that they are often more interesting this way. I like the freshness about them, compared to the highly skilled model with years of experience. I work and travel light. All of my work is shot with natural light when possible.'
While many photographers have the model come to their studio, Ian often travels to the model. He says they are more comfortable when they are in familiar surroundings. Ian has traveled to 59 countries and lived in 5 of those countries. Originally from Canada, Ian was born in Winnipeg, raised in Calgary, and lived in Vancouver most of his adult life
'I left Vancouver in 2008, and lived in Hong Kong for a while before moving to Bangkok. I moved to China in June 2010, and quite like it here. I prefer Thailand, though. If the political protests didn't happen (along with hundreds killed, daily bombings, etc), I would still be there.'
Ian has some interesting summer plans, shooting nudes on the Great Wall.
'It will be a challenge, but something I am looking forward to. The contrast of the grandeur and immense stone structure, and the softness and vulnerability of the naked male body will be amazing'
Ian will also be a part of the judging panel for 'World Supermodel' pageant, also this summer. International finals take place in China this year and will be televised globally. You can check out more about the contest HERE:
Be sure to check out more of Ian's work on ModelMayhem HERE: and on his beautiful website HERE:
