Manhood: The Bare Reality

Product Information

I don’t think feminism should rewind, but there needs to be a way for men to say it’s hard for us, that we hurt. [But] that should take place away from feminism”

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was very personal and covered a whole lot about the inner world of men I would have otherwise not had access to. connects to what many of the themes, quotes, and anecdotes in Manhood: The Bare Reality encompassed. Men view their genitalia as an extension of their manhood and will literally choose to […] Masculinity is such a big topic. I asked a lot of men, "what does it mean for you to be a man" - and their answers ranged from "tall, strong, hairy" to "being a provider, looking after your family" to "just being a good person. It's the same as being a woman". These days we are all less bound by gender and traditional roles, but is there more discussion about what being a man means. From veteran to vicar, from porn addict to prostate cancer survivor, men from all walks of life share honest reflections about their bodies, sexuality, relationships, fatherhood, work and health in this pioneering book. It took two years to find and photograph 100 women for this photographic categorisation of the female breast. They were aged 19 to 101, and from all walks of life, from Buddhist nun to burlesque dancer. The artwork illustrated a book entitled ‘Bare Reality’, now in its second edition. Each photograph is accompanied short first person stories which offer, en masse, a striking counter-narrative to the objectification of the female body.The first time I took it, I felt a bit self-conscious and awkward. The first time I looked at it on my computer screen was quite a moment for me. It was big and detailed and I could see everything.

Hearst UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 30 Panton Street, Leicester Square, London, SW1Y 4AJ. Registered in England. All Rights Reserved. Men really opened up and discussed anxieties, OCD and full-blown depression and suicidal thoughts. There are a lot of mental health stories in the book. They all really opened up emotionally and it felt like a very rare glimpse into men's inner world. There are men in the book who say they have never talked about this to anybody." These days we are all less bound by gender and traditional roles, but is there more confusion about what being a man means? From veteran to vicar, from porn addict to prostate cancer survivor, men from all walks of life share honest reflections about their bodies, sexuality, relationships, fatherhood, work and health in this pioneering and unique book. The stories do not read like an interview in which the questions were just removed. They read like a string of thoughts one might have, unstructured yet credible, uncoerced.And after that, Laura considered the project complete. She didn’t think she would do a third series, despite suggestions that vulvas were the next step. As men, we are told to be have a cool, calm exterior, never cry, brush things off. But you need to have emotion.” We caught up with Laura to find out what she has learned about gender and humanity from photographing the parts of themselves people usually keep hidden. 1. It's so much more than just a body part In Manhood: The Bare Reality, photographer Laura Dodsworth views the concept of masculinity via the penis.

Dodsworth says the photos took only about 10 seconds to shoot, but that she would interview the men for a much longer period of time to document it in the book. She says that "once somebody bares their body, they are much more likely to bare their soul." It comfirmed some of the things I believed about men, but also showed a more vulnerable side to them. Object of fear and arousal. Symbol of dominance. Source of anxiety. A potent combination of power and pleasure. Once upon a time, penises occupied their place on the pedestal with pride, from the holy worship of the phallus in ancient Rome to the Shiva Linga, but they have also long been associated with base level male banter, ridicule and fear. Today, in the wake of #MeToo and #TimesUp has the penis become even more taboo? And how does a young generation of men feel about masculinity being labelled “toxic”? She says what surprised her most about the whole process is the shame and anxiety many men feel about the size of their manhood.This is a book of interviews of 100 penis-owning people, who are invited to talk about their penis, sexuality, relationships, and pretty much anything they feel is important to communicate about themselves and their lives. There is a photo in each case of their penis. I don't think one person can have the final say on what masculinity is, so instead there are 100 men's stories and voices. I don't think a clear definition of masculinity is required but I hope it gives readers more compassion and kindness for men in their lives and really raises some questions." We need to talk more – not about sports and women and stereotypical “guy things,” but about what really drives us as people. Topics like our physical and mental health, our worries and insecurities, our hopes and dream, and our overall emotions should become commonplace. After the success of Bare Reality, Manhood – a photography book of men's genitals – was the inevitable progression, as Laura felt compelled to explore men's stories too. First there was 100 sets of breasts, then there were 100 penises and now photographer Laura Dodsworth has completed what she calls an ‘unexpected trilogy’ by photographing 100 vulvas.