Throwback Thursday - Don Blair's book, "Body Parts"

by Skip Cohen

Twenty-five years ago, Don Blair and I published Body Parts. Published before digital was practical, Don and I, with the help of the other two Musketeers, Tony Corbell, and Terry Deglau, did all the shooting in Vegas with local models. The book was introduced at WPPI, and by using local talent, we could feature the same setups that were in the book at the convention.

Printed by Marathon Press, Don and I were in Nebraska for the first press runs...another throwback memory that puts a smile on my face! There is no way to describe the pure joy at seeing your own book come off the production line!

---

Digital wasn't in the picture yet, but Polaroid was. We laid the storyboards out all around a hotel room, page by page. As we completed each topic, the final Polaroid was taped to the page. Everything we do in publishing today do is all on the computer. Regardless of the increased efficiency, what's missing is the fun of building the finished product!

The shot at the top was done in two parts, with the binding down the middle—the book was spiral-bound and designed to fit in your camera bag for easy reference. Everyone in the group shot was either a model or involved in production.

One of my favorite images was one of Don's combining hand-posing and showing both rings. Don's understanding and love of lighting were remarkable. Every portrait was consistently stunning—from his lighting to the pose to the expression on each subject, he never compromised.

The fun of Throwback Thursday is all in the memories old photographs and videos bring back into focus. Searching for what to share today, I ran across a copy of the book, and it was perfect timing. 

Don passed away in 2004 on a Sunday. I remember his son Gary telling me he was convinced that Don died that day because his wife Donna (who passed away in 1996) always made roast beef on Sunday and she was waiting for him.

​The last photo in the book, shown below, is another favorite. Photographed by Bambi Cantrell, it plays off of the body parts theme.

If you missed searching for a few throwbacks today, try taking the time. Old photographs bring back memories and remind us of the incredible contribution imaging has made to the world!

​What a kick!

---