Naked Ibiza by Dylan Rosser; Bruno Gmuender, $69.99 (used copies about $40)
If gay men ever establish their own country, Ibiza would be the perfect spot for it. It's a large, gorgeous, sun-blessed Spanish island set in the peaceful Mediterranean Sea. Photographer Dylan Rosser's Naked Ibiza is a beautiful book, but its main flaw, in my opinion, is the overly posed pictures. One model, contorting his body in an unusual arched-back yoga stretch on the rocky coast, in particular stands out as overly posed.
There is not one drop of spontaneity on any page in this handsome volume, no humor, no reality, no playfulness, and no interaction between the models. Very little imagination, just beautiful models standing still in the gorgeous blue sea as if they are lifeless statues, with lovely white clouds overhead. Basically, fashion models without their threads on, looking very much into themselves, as if unaware of their spectacular surroundings. No one ever stops to smell the roses, so to speak.
The title is good, Naked always catches the eye. Ibiza is synonymous with gay male party time. But Naked Ibiza doesn't live up to the expectations the title generates.