Bondi Work (Hardcover)

~ Paul Freeman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The third in the Sydney photographer's acclaimed best-selling Bondi series of books, "in a market glutted with generic coffee-table tomes of vapid pretty boys, artist Paul Freeman brings a unique point of view to his exemplary collections.., magic combinations that he assembles in his sublime books of photos." (Advocate magazine )

Shot largely on location in sweaty workshops and factory environments, with the focus on the Aussie blue-collar worker, 'Bondi Work' continues, very much to our advantage, Freeman's fascination with capturing what is intrinsic to male beauty. "This book is beautiful. It's so great to see male nudes that are cool and strong and not just pussy." (celebrity photographer Tony Durran)

Following close on the heels of 'Bondi Urban', which portrayed lads of a surf and beach culture, Freeman's choice of models, the way he directs them into sharing intimate moments, his trademark use of dramatic lighting to elevate simple compositions, and his use of color, again infuses this work with a painterly romanticism. "Freeman searches for (and definitely finds!) subjects who are quintessentially masculine men. He uses his fellow countrymen (Australia) to show us the virile attitude of the untamed, knows how to make the partially clothed form even more sensuous than the fully nude form, and creates photographs that are well conceived and executed and presented in a superb format. For those looking for the best of the books of male photography, his deserve a place on top of the list!" ( Grady Harper , review December 2005).

Freeman styles, designs and publishes his own books, and a rapidly growing appreciative audience quickly bought out the first print run of Bondi Urban, while most of the first run of Bondi Work is pre-sold.

All three books in the Bondi series are similar large format, chic, hardbound, color & b/w collectibles, with over 216 pages of photographs reproduced on quality art paper.

About the Author

Paul Freeman, the leading photographer for the Australian magazine Blue, also penned the biography of out Aussie footballer Ian Roberts, (Random House 1997). He is an international award winning photographer for his advertising campaigns and portrait photography, and is exhibited regularly in his home country Australia.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Paul Freeman Pub (October 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0646462105
• ISBN-13: 978-0646462103
• Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 9.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #470,373 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paul Freeman's Finest Book To Date, January 6, 2008

By	Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (VINE VOICE)

According to Wikipedia, 'Bondi is an eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia', but to photographer/artist Paul Freeman, Bondi is a resource for the models of his highly successful series of 'Bondi' male photography books. This volume, BONDI WORK' is, for this viewer, the finest of the series. Combining full page bleed color photographs with equally sophisticated black and white images, and interspersing these dramatic compositions with occasional two page spreads of snapshot size images that often create 'stories' simply by their placement on the page, makes for a large scale survey of the amazing Australian models Freeman finds and captures for us.

The theme here is 'work' and the settings are all in the various factories and workplaces in Bondi. The men are buff, but not distortedly so, and are presented both au natural and in elements of work clothing. For the most part these models appear very natural: no body shaving here, no need for oils and accoutrements - these are men in the raw, and enjoying themselves. The work theme matches the characters in this portfolio as these men all appear to be naturally buff from labor in the workplace (as well as the gym).

Freeman includes full frontal (and rear) nudity but only incidentally. This is not a collection of aroused models but rather a collection of men who can arouse the viewer merely by the gifts they possess! This is a fine collection for a very large audience. Not only are the models well chosen and well placed, but the photographs are also very high quality in composition and lighting and choice of setting. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, January 08

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, January 9, 2007

By	M. B. Whitacre (Melbourne, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's everything you could want in a photo book on the male subject: Great lighting, hot guys and LOTS of tasteful frontal nudity. Bruce Weber WHO?

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Pictures!, May 12, 2007

By	Shane Wilson (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews

I am familar with Bondi's work, but I felt that this edition was by far his best work to date. Beautiful black and white picture of men set in work situations. I highly recommend this book.