It is in man’s nature to worship the Gods. We all seek ideals. Men (and Women) have an urge not only to conform, but if possible to excel. Champions are a special breed, without which the human race would have terminated long ago. Ever increasing standards and targets in physical endeavours, art and education, have continued to open up new frontiers. Through the greatest power on earth, imagination, we are conquering the Universe.

Photography is the science and art of producing pictures by action of light on chemically prepared materials. It was invented in 1839 with two different processes being discovered, one by Louis Daguere in France with his ‘daguerreotype process’, and the other by William Henry Fox Talbot with his ‘collotype’ process. Later came the collodian process invented by F.S. Archer in 1850. Those three men thus laid the foundations for modern photography.

Physique photography is specialized art, in the beginning being first attempted by the normal portrait photographer. Both bodybuilding and photography were in their infancy in the 1890’s. One man namely Eugen Sandow vastly helped both. Although there was enviable physiques before Sandow, he was without doubt the star of his era. Through the media of photography, as well as his world-wide personal tours, Sandow's physique won him immortal fame, via both still and Thomas Edison’s moving pictures.

In words Sandow was described by the London Daily Telegraph, Nov. 4^th, 1889 as; “Personally, Sandow is a short but perfectly build young man of twenty-two years of age, with a face of somewhat ancient Greek type, but with the clear blue eyes and curling fine hair of the Teuton. When in evening dress there is nothing especially remarkable about this quiet mannered good-natured youth, but when he takes off his coat and prepares for action, the extraordinary development of the arms, shoulders and back muscles is marvelously striking. It is no exaggeration to say that the statue of the ‘Farnese Hercules’ is not more powerfully modeled, the muscles stand out under a clear white skin in high relief, and suggest the gnarled roots of oak trees’. That was a word picture. Just one photograph described him far better. Between approximately 1885 to the early 1900’s Sandow was photographed by amongst others, such notable photographers as Van der Weyde (London) Roland White (Birmingham) B.J. Falk of New York, Napoleon Sarony a very distinguished New York photographer. George Steckel Los Angeles Calif., U.S.A. and Warwick Brookes.

All men could not look like Sandow not indeed wanted to. The various physical types of man i.e. ectomorph, endomorph or mesomorph, or thoracic intermediates and abdominals, whatever you wish to call the bodily classifications, lent a wide spectrum to physiques. Muscle mags from Bernarr Mac Faddens Physical Development /Culture through Strength, Strength and Health, Your Physiques etc. or in U.K., H & S, Superman, Vigour, Mans World, to name just a few of the multifarious titles all devoted pages to muscular display and artistic posing, using awarding prizes as an encouragement. 

The American magazines featured, amongst others the beautiful seemingly eternal physique of Sig Klein. Another byword for physical perfection was the athletically graceful body of Tony Sansome photographed by Edwin F. Townsend and Achille Volpe of New York. Sansome of Sicilian parentage was born 19^th September 1905 in New York, and was considered the greatest example of muscular beauty and was featured for decades in all bodybuilding magazines of note in the thirty’s and especially in two superb pose albums called Modern Classics and Rhythm.

It was about the same period that a young and slender John C. Grimek began gracing the pages of muscle literature, first pictures appearing in Strength magazine around 1929, later John joined and had a continual association with the Hoffman empire. Now of course Editor of his own magazine which lays much emphasis on good posing and excellent photography. Grimek was considered by many to be the ultimate in muscular proportions, retiring undefeated from bodybuilding contests after winning the top most titles of his era, including the now historical Mr. Universe award in 1948.

Next major figure on the scene was the legendary Steve Reeves. A perfect man in every way, physically and facially, Reeves was Mr. Universe way back in 1950 yet even today has whole legions of fans, enlarged without doubt because of the excellent muscle movies of the ‘Hercules” type that Reeves later starred. Reeves beauty was captured by many cameramen to whom we owe a debt. Amongst those who pictured Steve are Bruce, Lanza, Warner, Loveday, George Greenwood and Arax.

The late Gregory Arax an Armenian who resided most his life in Paris, deserves special mention and gratitude for his long record of photographing over many years, virtually every top international star. He preserved for posterity, many decades of muscular history, from witnessing great feats of strength, as of John Davis lifting the “Apollon Wheels’ to covering ( and judging) the first Mr. Universe contest in London. To try and name Arax subjects would be like listing a “Who’s Who’ of Muscledom. As well as the household names of American and our own British stars, the names of Spain’s Juan Ferrero (regrettably killed in 1958), Belgium’s Charles Clegniak and France’s Robert Duranton spring to my memory as three muscle men seen through the eyes of Arax. The last occasion I saw Arax was at his long retirement speech in London. With regret, the master has passed away, dying on 27^th June 1975.

Other names of note in the World of negatives are, George Kirkley a former weight lifting champion. Editor of previous muscle mags, and now Editor of The Strength Athlete, George excels at weight lifting action shots. I also remember handicapped photographer Dennis Kellett used to take many fine muscle pics. Then there was Bert Loveday, Vince, Lon, Warner, Spartan, Lanza, Caruso (no, not the singer!!) and Art Zeller.

More recently the works of Denie (Walters of New Jersey USA) abounds in many mags, with those of Wayne Gallasch from Australia, with our own British shutterbugs, Edward Hankey and not forgetting (who could?) George Greenwood.

After many years of austerity and two World Wars, Britain really produced its greatest champion to date with the advent of Reg Park. New training methods and improved diets produced a whole new band of stars in Britain on par with any in the World. One fine example was Len Sell Amateur Mr. Universe 1959 and winner of the Pro title in 1962.

The bulk era of the fifties died and definition or ‘cuts’ was the target instead of huge muscle mass. Quality was the game and Frank Zane was the name. His first U.K. title was Amateur Mr. Universe in 1970, since then he has won every major title, some several times. Proving symmetry is what the judges’ eyes seek. Since Zane many more top titles have been won by more classical physiques, captured on film for the admiration of the fans.

Copyright by David Gentle
All Rights Reserved