I know some of these photographs were featured around the web last month, but I wanted to share them seeing as I can’t quite put my finger on and sort out Brian Finke’s mix of hyper-realism, photojournalism and sexuality.

From Clamp Art, “Over the past several years artist, Brian Finke, has traveled across the country photographing high school and college level cheerleaders and football players. Mixing artificial and natural light, Finke has developed his own distinctive documentary style. Finke’s work functions on a number of levels. In one sense these are highly ambivalent images, revealing diversity in uniformity, as manifested by the construction of individual identities in the image of the team. Addressing social behaviors, self definition, and sexuality, the artist documents the rocky trail of adolescence. However, in conveying such, Finke is a master of imbuing his photographs with humor and lift. He avoids, casting a judgmental eye, choosing rather light-hearted stories told with respect and hilarity.”

Clicking over to Brian’s home/portfolio site you can peruse his other fine galleries; Paintball, Tennis camp, Samurai Bears (Baseball Team), the Disturbingly Salacious Frat Boys Series, the Plasticine Most Muscular, Surreal Cheerleading Collection and Flight Attendants. Monographs of The Flight Attendants Series and American Cheerleaders and Football Players can be purchased for a small price.