Bill Dobbins (born 1943) is an American
photographer
A photographer (the Greek φῶς (''phos''), meaning "light", and γραφή (''graphê''), meaning "drawing, writing", together meaning "drawing with light") is a person who uses a camera to make photographs.
Duties and types of photograp ...
who specializes in
bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is the practice of Resistance training, progressive resistance exercise to build, control, and develop one's skeletal muscle, muscles via muscle hypertrophy, hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to a ...
, physique and
fitness photography. In particular, Dobbins is well known for his work in photographing
female bodybuilders and has published two books of images on the subject, ''The Women''
and ''Modern Amazons''.
Dobbins was associated with
Ben Weider
Benjamin Weider, (1 February 1923 – 17 October 2008) was a Canadian soldier, author, historian ( Napoleonic history), fitness proponent, benefactor of the arts, and entrepreneur. He co-founded the International Federation of BodyBuilders (IF ...
and bodybuilding organizations such as the
IFBB and
NPC.
Dobbins is also an author and writer for physique magazines. He has collaborated with
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (born July30, 1947) is an Austrian and American actor, businessman, former politician, and former professional bodybuilder, known for his roles in high-profile action films. Governorship of Arnold Schwarzenegger, ...
on several books, including ''Arnold's Bodybuilding For Men''
and ''The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding''.
Career and history
After working in Europe, predominantly in the music industry, Dobbins returned to America to work as a radio producer, primarily at
WNBC
WNBC (channel 4) is a television station in New York City that serves as the flagship (broadcasting), flagship of the NBC network. It is owned and operated by the network's NBC Owned Television Stations division alongside Linden, New Jersey ...
and
WABC in
New York City
New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
. He eventually moved to
California
California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...
where he became involved with the original
Gold's Gym
Gold's Gym International, Inc. is an American chain of international wikt:co-ed, co-ed fitness centers (commonly referred to as gyms) originally started by Joe Gold in Venice, Los Angeles, Venice Beach, California. Each gym offers a variety of ca ...
. During this period Dobbins met several male bodybuilders, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, and undertook promotional work for the gym. This attracted the attention of
Joe Weider
Josef Weider (; November 29, 1919 – March 23, 2013) was a Canadian bodybuilder and entrepreneur who co-founded the International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB) alongside his brother Ben Weider. He was also the creator of Mr. Olympia, Ms. Ol ...
, and Dobbins began writing for ''
Muscle & Fitness
''Muscle & Fitness'' is an American fitness and bodybuilding magazine founded in 1935 by Canadian entrepreneur Joe Weider. It was originally published under the title ''Your Physique'', before being renamed to ''Muscle Builder'' in 1954, and ac ...
'', eventually being made a founding editor of ''
Flex'' magazine.
References
External links
Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dobbins, Bill
American photographers
Physique photographers
Living people
1943 births