What I enjoy most about my wrestling buddy BRO’s photography, taken from ringside during the indy shows he attends, is the unusual perspective he brings to the work.
Most wrestling photographers, perhaps blind to the homo-erotic undertones, are primarily focused on relating the story of the match, or snapping a carefully composed study of a well-executed hold, or enhancing the drama unfolding on the wrestlers’ faces. Many wrestling photos feel commonplace or run-of-the-mill, the same photo any photographer would snap.
My buddy BRO, on the other hand, goes after the Full Monty. He ignores the rules of photography and gets right in the ring to feast our eyes on the bulges, booties, and bodies we want to see.
Consider BRO’s treatment of jobber Elias Sampson. BRO is less concerned about capturing each subtle facial expression or grimace of pain. Rather, that hefty bulge stretching out his tight spandex trunks (which many photographers would likely downplay) becomes the subject of this photo essay. Samson’s ultimate defeat is more enticing given his obvious masculine endowment.
And check out BRO’s appreciation of C.J. Parker’s spectacular rainbow trunks, contrasting beautifully with his bright white jobber boots. We can’t even see Parker’s face (photography rule 101) but fuck it — Bro understands that the trunks are the thing — the colors, the snugness, the curves and valleys, and that inviting taint.
Later the pecking order in the ring is reversed with Parker asserting his dominance over Graves. Now BRO emphasizes the magic in those Amazing Technicolor Dream Trunks.
BRO shows Graves being pinned in the corner, defeated by the Trunks of Power with the brightly-colored bulge dangling in his face. Some photographers might have zoomed out so we can clearly see both men from head to toe, but my BRO zooms in to focus our attention on the true story of the match — the homo-erotic potential.
Here is a great snapshot BRO took of JJ Jordan being broken under the powerful knee of Bull Dempsey. BRO tightly frames the contrast between Jordan’s dark complexion and Dempsey’s pale flesh; Jordan’s smooth back and Dempsey’s hairy leg; Jordan’s vulnerability and Dempsey’s crushing power.
Some of you may feel offended that BRO is treating these men like pieces of meat, objectifying them by focusing on their tight asses and obtrusive bulges rather than their personalities.
Fuck yes, we are objectifying them — that is the whole point of pro wrestling! We the viewers get to feel the pleasure of asserting ownership and control over the studs in the ring by violating them with our eyes (or camera), and that’s what makes the experience hot. The wrestlers seem to be fine with their subservient and flirtatious roles (maybe even a bit too eager to do it), willingly playing into our fetishes by wearing revealing gear, peacocking relentlessly, and striking provocative poses as they struggle against each other like passionate lovers.
BRO and the man in the ring understand their roles perfectly. The photographer and his subject work together to deliver these sexually charged images. Do you think it’s just a coincidence that they so often have their legs spread, their spandex riding up, in perfect view of BRO’s camera?? They might as well wink at the camera as if to say: “Get a load of that, BRO!“