Barely Working [Hardcover]

Adam Raphael (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 7, 2008

Adam Raphael, photographer of the widely praised Room Service, now offers Barely Working, a delicious, racially diverse collection of the finest faces and bodies in working situations that include construction, landscaping, and boiler repair. Of course, work soon gives way to play, and the unique combination of laughter, competition, and youthful energy converge to create a sensual tension that can only be captured by a photographer who has the skill and talent to work closely with his models without ever overshadowing or crowding them.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It seems clear that this book wasn't conceived as an effort to capture the rugged beauty of the working man. It's more like a daydream - casting model-perfect bodies in settings meant to spark fantasies. And judging from the amount of attention the collection received as visitors stopped by my desk, Barely Working more than succeeds." --MetroSource

Review

"And once again Adam Raphael proves us he knows as no other how to capture these young men in a situation that isn't so different from what we all know, but with a sensuality and erotic load that you seldom see in real-life work situations."

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: powerHouse Books (August 7, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576874494
• ISBN-13: 978-1576874493
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 0.6 x 10.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #753,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Painterly Photographer, September 28, 2008

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Barely Working (Hardcover)

Adam Raphael becomes more painterly with every new portfolio of photographs he presents. Beginning with the almost shy 2001 FRIENDS, his photographic portraits of young men whose trust in the artist is obvious, makes the images gentle and casual and very honest. In his 2004 FRIENDS AND BROTHERS, the relationship between the single model and the model grouped, Raphael played with space and suggested poses that never appeared forced but began to offer some commentary between the fresh, young and naturally beautiful young men and the artist. In short, Raphael pushed his space to create not only celebratory images of young men at their zenith of physical development, but he also suggested interplay or dramatic statement. In his 2007 portfolio ROOM SERVICE that drama became more polished as his beautiful men in rooms that echoed histories and stories allowed the viewer to go beyond the initial thought of simply finding vital, naturally handsome youths, to create fantasies. And without pushing the edge of full nudity Raphael found the exotic and, yes, erotic communication between his subject and his audience.

In observing the model at rest, at play, and in repose in the elegant surroundings that suggested a proscenium stage, Adam Raphael developed those skills of telling stories with the camera, and in this newest and in many ways most successful portfolio, BARELY WORKING, his ability to find the visceral humor, the moments of stress and relaxation, and the interaction between the props of the working man and the model that result in paintings that just happen to be made of film, is polished and exemplary. Whether focusing on the grease smears of the boiler room men or the geometrics of the yards of contractors, Raphael finds echoes in his sets that serve as complementary designs with the bare-chested, muscle men of his choosing. These lads continue to follow Raphael's keen eye for the naturally beautiful men, at times observed at work and at times at play, and more often at times with direct eye communication with the artist. But now the composition of each photograph is more sophisticated, flesh tones are excitingly balanced as choices of settings, and color objects create a harmony that while not pulling focus as technique, successfully result in enhancing the chiseled beauty of the models.

Some may wonder why Adam Raphael avoids frontal nudity when the audience is apparently now prepared for that historically prejudiced stance. Perhaps one reason is that Raphael is able, by maintaining elements of garments that enhance the physiques of his very choice models, to communicate more sensual images by taking the viewer just far enough to make the imagination engage. And it is that step, that decision, that engagement, that keeps his art fresh, vital, eternally youthful, and now, painterly beautiful! Grady Harp, September 08

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Certainly is NOT "All Work and No Play" with These Guys, August 15, 2008

By 

Joseph J. Hanssen "Joe" (Upstate New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barely Working (Hardcover)

I'm Shocked! but pleasantly surprised to see that a professional male photographer has listened to our requests and photographed young men the way they should appear, Relaxed! There are no statues, or stale unsmiling, motionless young men looking bored to death in Adam Raphael's new book, of young, hunky, and handsome men, aptly titled "Barely Working". It's a great title for a book of images featuring some of the best looking guys in America who are photographed working on various outdoor building projects, and having a great time on the job. The group shots of the guys are unusual as most male photography books of this nature do not bring a group of guys together in one place interacting, but usually show just images of men alone normally. These young hunks are barely working, for all work and no play is certainly NOT the case in these beautifully photographed shots. It so nice to see smiling faces for a change as the models are working, playing and talking. These guys are relaxed in front of the camera, seemingly not even aware of it, and the credit for that belongs to Adam Raphael. I thought Adam Raphael's last book "Room Service" would be hard to top but he has shown again what an innovative and dedicated photographer can do. The coloring, lighting and shadows in these images is pleasure to the eye.


There's no full nudity in these images, but in no way does that deter from the sexy, and artistic beauty of these young men captured at the peak of their physical perfection. In fact, it adds to their mystique and allure. Adam Raphael has captured the beauty of these men and to our benefit he allows us to share in his work and world of beauty. This will be one of the books on my top shelf of male photography books, which will be enjoyed and treasured for years to come.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Playng With Beauty, October 12, 2008

By 

Randall Ivey "Randall" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barely Working (Hardcover)

For us legions of Adam Raphael fans, it is a very good thing that he is a prolific as well as masterly artist. On the heels of his majestic ROOM SERVICE comes yet another masterwork of male photography, BARELY WORKING. Once again Raphael causes myriad jaws to drop with his skill for capturing some of the handsomest young men alive doing what seemingly comes natural, in this case "laboring." It isn't just the beauty of the models, however, that gives great pleasure; it is also Raphael's meticulous presentation. He is one of the few artists in this field who can actually make his photographic canvas glow with the kind of light Cezanne would have envied. His pictures leap to life and provide a doorway through which the viewer can nearly step through (oh that that were possible!). In this collection Raphael gets a bit more risque than in his previous books with glimpses of male "cleavage,' but it is all in good taste and all in good fun.

This is another one for the ages and one admirers of beauty should snap up IMMEDIATELY.