Essence of Man

Welcome to 'Essence of Man,' an honest exploration of masculinity at its core. This project goes beyond the physical, diving into the personal stories of men from all walks of life, each sharing their narrative through images and words. It’s not about showcasing appearances, but rather uncovering the spirit of masculinity.

Each image is an authentic portrayal, where men stand before the viewer with sincerity and openness. Stripped down to their essence, they reveal the raw truth of their identity, engaging in activities that reflect their personal story and sense of masculinity.

Through five key questions, they share their beliefs, experiences, and philosophies on what it means to be a man.

'Essence of Man' is a tribute to strength, resilience, and complexity. It celebrates the varied expressions of masculinity that go beyond cultural and societal boundaries.

Step inside and see what it means to be a man through their eyes.

The Questions

Saper, Poland

1. Being a man means taking care of people you love.  But we must be careful what people we choose because some steal, some kill, some break your heart. 
2. They show me as a brave man.
3. Yes, but nobody on this earth is perfect. Everybody has their flaws, dark secrets and vices.
4. I think more social responsibility for family. Because socially, being a man requires us to be strong, work hard and take care of our loved ones. There are more dominant 'features', and less emotions which are shown in public. 
5. I am Saper. I am my scars. I am man.

Myo, Myanmar

1. Being a human first and foremost requires developing a sense of responsibility and becoming a good man who can benefit oneself, society, and the surrounding environment. While a man's physical appearance can easily be labeled as such, understanding the true qualities of masculinity comes from observing his words and actions. A man must have integrity, a sense of responsibility, the ability to provide safety and security to his surroundings, the ability to protect (or at least try to protect) from potential dangers, and the ability to stand firm and solve all problems (or at least try to solve them) before considering himself a true man. I believe and hold that a man is defined by three qualities that I value and practice since reaching adulthood: Having integrity; being compassionate; and showing respect. These three points are essential qualities I've valued and practiced since adulthood to be a true man.
2. In these pictures, my eyes alone can represent me as a man. Whenever I deeply contemplate a matter, I tend to squint and become pensive, and you can see this trait in these pictures. More than contemporary gadgets and fashion, I value tranquility and freedom from greed. Also, looking at these pictures makes me feel like I'm seeing my inner thoughts through my eyes. I'm grateful to Ben for choosing these pictures, as they reflect a perfect selection. While there are better pictures or ones where I'm posed more attractively, none have the depth of expression found in these. That's why these pictures fully and accurately represent my true self and everything about me.
3. The beauty of a man that I understand is not just about fair skin, a tall and attractive figure, or pleasing looks as you all might think. The beauty in a man that I believe in is filled with compassion, benefits his family and surroundings without causing harm, and takes care of those around him. Such a person, in my view, is a true man. There are some beauties I've found that are truly admirable, where they put their own feelings aside and prioritize the feelings of those they respect and love. These kinds of beauties can often be seen in relationships among family members, spouses, and couples, where there are sacrifices, fillings, protections, and securities, yet they don't know how to show that they value and love them. That's what these beauties are all about.
4. Being a man is fundamentally different from being a woman, not just physically, which everyone knows and can easily see. The differences in mindset and values are even more profound and significant. For example, a woman might value outward beauty, but a man values understanding and empathy, giving and receiving respect.  A woman might want to be treated as someone special, to be cared for and always given priority, relying on the strength and security provided by others. But men tend to be more secretive, preferring solitude, valuing independence, and not wanting to be overwhelmed by the attention of others.  Most women live passionately for the things they love and want to possess, but the true beauty of a good man lies in his 'giving nature.
5. I am Myo Htut Aung. I am commonly called Yo-Yo at home.  I am man.

Vasyl, Ukraine

1. To be a man means to go forward, across darkness, fear, failure, loss and pain ... because we must.  This means being yourself and defending yourself even at the cost of losing loved ones, friends, and everything.  To be a man is to be steadfast when anyone, anything around is trying to knock you down.  No matter what, no matter how hard it is to go on, go and don't stop and build a home for yourself and for those you care for wherever you are and with what you have.
2. I am very grateful to the author for being able to see my true face.  Music is all I really have and what I can't lose; things come and go and so do people.  But my music is what gives me the strength to walk the path that I and the universe have chosen for me.  Life is a struggle, and if not with the surrounding world, then with yourself, with bad thoughts, with failures and even a bad mood.  Death is inevitable, so it is better to meet it with a smile in the dance.
3. So men are just as beautiful as women.  I mean body, voice, eyes ... .  I met some guy and I complimented him, I think, on his outfit. To this he replied, "You know not many men compliment other men; I think it is not ok.”
4. Women and men are equal and different, social influence, physical characteristics make us different and at the same time we should be equal ... take responsibility for our actions and support each other.  It is known that hormones, emotional state and so on make a difference in our perception and reactions, but I think the main difference is social status - demands that make us prisoners of stereotypes.  But there are also roles imposed on us by nature. And most importantly, sometimes women do not understand that no matter how strong and tough a man is, our heart is soft and susceptible to the influence of loved ones. which leads to the fact that women can change us into those whom they do not hate.  Men should also open women, make an atmosphere of security, certainty and good.  The uniqueness of being a man is to pee standing up ... just kidding.  It is being a father in all these senses - as a standard of knowledge, wisdom, peace and justice.  The Real Man can and is not afraid to cry, that's normal.
5. I am Vasyl. I am real. I am man.

Vilém, Czech Republic

1. Being a man means understanding that there should be no preset difference between the genders. Being a man means leaving chauvinism behind, as well as all biases and preconceptions. And being a woman means the same equally.  From my surroundings, I know girls and women who possess many traits and behaviours typically considered masculine—they are courageous, enterprising, and even physically strong. They are women with unique character and should have all the freedom to manifest it without being considered less feminine.  Back to the question: being a man means humbly accepting the fact that having "masculine" behaviour does not make anyone more of a "man," and accepting "feminine" behaviour does not diminish a man's masculinity because there is no such thing as inherent masculinity.
2. It represents me as an active, passionate and cheerful person. Not necessarily as a man.
3. Men can definitely be beautiful. They can have beautiful and symmetrical bodies, perfect and precise movements, and pleasant voices. While judging someone's physical appearance is a matter of taste, there are more important qualities hidden inside. In other words, men can be as beautiful as angels, just as they can be ugly and evil.
4. We are living in a complicated world, and distinguishing between men and women does not help us understand it. What would help is the acceptance that, although there are men and women, there is also a full spectrum of variations in between. First and foremost, we are humans, and we should try to understand each other without categories.
5. I am Vilém. I am truthful. I am man.