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Barely Working | 
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| Author: Adam Raphael
Publisher: powerHouse Books
Category: Book
List Price: $39.95
Buy New: $25.05
You Save: $14.90 (37%)
New (23) Used (6) from $25.05
Avg. Customer Rating:  3 reviews
Sales Rank: 142635
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 112
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 10.3 x 10.1 x 0.8
ISBN: 1576874494
Dewey Decimal Number: 778
EAN: 9781576874493
ASIN: 1576874494
Publication Date: September 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New, Perfect Condition, Please allow 4-14 business days for delivery. 100% Money Back Guarantee, Over 1,000,000 customers served.
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Adam Raphael, photographer of the widely praised Room Service, offers a delicious collection of young men in his newest book, Barely Working. Once again documenting a racially diverse group of the finest faces and bodies, Raphael has captured his models in various working situations including auto repair, car washing, landscaping, and other similar settings. 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 made by a photographer who has the skill and talent to work closely with his models without ever overshadowing or crowding them. "In Barely Working," says Reed Massengill, "pipe wrenches and earth-moving equipment are handled with grace and ease by Raphaels young men, who practically throb with visceral friendliness and aw shucks charm while possessing a humanity that makes them irresistibly appealing."
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| Customer Reviews:
Playng With Beauty October 12, 2008
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.
The Painterly Photographer September 29, 2008
165 out of 170 found this review helpful
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
It Certainly is NOT "All Work and No Play" with These Guys August 15, 2008
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
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.
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