Bare Strength

by Michael Stokes

Bare Strength is a photo book, a modern figure study of the male form - an edgy, artistic approach to the male nude with one chapter dedicated to United States Marine Veterans who lost limbs in the Middle East wars. This is Photographer Michael Stokes' second monogram followed by the success of his first photo book, Masculinity. With a social media following of over 250,000, his images have been shared and blogged by thousands of people around the world. His photos have appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The View and The Tonight Show. He is best known for his work with nude, American soldier amputees, photos that have been banned by social media sites like Facebook and Instagram.

Genres: Nonfiction, Photography

128 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2014

Reviews

[Optimist ♰King's Wench♰]

I'm certain this book costs a mint, but would you just look at that cover?

All. That. Skin.

If anyone is considering a holiday gift for Cupcake...

[♣ Irish Smurfétté ♣ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes. It's as good as, better than, you might imagine.

Yeah, imagine, Stokes and his clearly natural ability to show human beings in unexpected, unapologetic, and frankly gorgeous ways. My favorites are those looking right at the camera. Powerful.

I went in on the Kickstarter campaign for this, the collector's level edition, signed by Stokes and three of the models, including Alex Minsky. A good portion of the price at that level went to the Semper Fi Fund.

Back to the photography, it's the quality for which you always hope but don't always receive in a photo book.

Seriously. Worth every damn last penny.

[Tara♥]

This is currently winging it's way to me.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get the collectors edition on kickstarter when he was raising funds for his book and the Semper Fi Foundation~ I had always seen his photos online but in this book many have never been on the web. There is a fabulous chapter on veterans which he captured all so well! The author takes great care with every model perfecting the utmost amazing photograph. The lighting props and models Mr Stokes uses makes a perfect piece of art. Raising the ordinary to extrodinary in every photograph. For any person interested in Male nudity in art I reccomend. I believe you can still get some on Amazon.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael doesn't just take pictures with admittedly, gorgeous stunning models. No, what he does is paint pictures with his camera. I am constantly amazed by his talent. The way he frames his compositions and the settings he chooses, combined with the intriguing models, creates true works of art!

I got this book through the kickstarter campaign that Michael ran to publish his book and I have never been so impressed with the outcome of one of their campaigns! I have seldom been as pleased with a book purchase as I was this book.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates the male form in all its glory. You won't be sorry.

[Shona Booky Ramblings of a Neurotic Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be honest and admit that until I stumbled upon one of Stoke's Photos on Facebook late last year I had never heard of him. I quickly became a fan of his work and was eager to have a copy of this book. A wish my husband fulfilled for my birthday.

The photos that Stokes shares on his social media doesn't really do this book justice, I found several of my favourite photos in this book and I'll be honest, with some I had to do a double take because they looked SO much different. There are some details that get lost in the little screen that just stand out when you have the print in front of you.

This is a wonderful mix of nudes, barely nudes, mostly clothed and faces... some of new favourites are the faces. Anyone can point and click a camera... but it takes great skill and artistic talent to produce the quality that's between these pages.

In short, I love this. And I've only had a quick look through. I look forward to getting lost between the pages again and again.

[MaryB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous photos of gorgeous men. Fantastic figure studies.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing photos.

[Cynthia Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Stokes is brilliant!