More Galleries: Bodies In The Landscape

"I often think of shooting these highly sculpted, athletic physiques," says Bill Dobbins, "as if I were a landscape photographer. The details of these bodies are equivalent to the mountains, canyons, and deep gorges that Ansel Adams explored so wonderfully in his photos of Yosemite and the rugged terrain of the American Southwest."

"In fact, I find the same kind of landscape to be an ideal background for capturing the extraordinary development of these modern 'hardbodies.' Which is why I make frequent expeditions to shoot in dramatic settings such as the Mojave Desert, Death Valley as well as locations from Las Vegas to Phoenix and Indian Reservations in New Mexico."

Bill Dobbins also uses his knowledge of these Southwestern locales - and his ability to deal with the incredible and often harsh desert and mountain light - for his commercial and advertising work as well. His advice on this subject? Well, most of what he would say is falls into the category of trade secrets. Except for one tip: "Make sure the models drink enough water. Some are trying so hard to keep looking fit and lean that they dehydrate and can pass out if you don't keep an eye on them."