Playboy, Playboy… Has this men`s lifestyle magazine already become the stuff of legend? For 60 years it has been amazing and meeting the aspirations of men from all the strata of society. Thus, it is an open secret that they have a significant impact on American culture. Hugh Hefner, the founder and chief creative officer of Playboy Enterprises, can boast a magazine which is a fusion of style and sex appeal – they are well-known for charm, chic stars and fertile creativity. 

“The one thing I like about ‘Playboy’ is they don`t have the anorexic look. The women are voluptuous”, says the famous American actress and model, Jennifer McCarthy, who began her career as a nude model for Playboy magazine. Indeed, photos posted in this magazine are really eye-popping and alluring – they highlight attractive shapes of a beautiful body. 

And now, let us touch upon some pivotal moments in the history of this legendary magazine.

Well Begun is Half Done - High End photography from Playboy

The first issue of this outstanding magazine saw the world on the 1st of December in 1953. The cover of the lad mag boasted a well-known American actress – charming and extremely attractive blond, Marilyn Monroe, sex symbol of the 1950s. It should be mentioned, that Marilyn didn`t pose for Playboy on purpose – the nude photograph was taken from the erotic calendar for 1949. At that time Marilyn was an immense success – she enjoyed the peak of her glory. Despite the fact that copies were selling out of Hefner`s kitchen office, Playboy hit the spot: three-quarter of 70 thousand copies circulation of the first issue was sold out within a week! 

Mellow Bunny

In December 1954 annual demonstrated anniversary cover due to one year work of the erotic glossy. In the foreground we may see a slightly drunk bunny in a white shirt with a bow-tie and a dressing gown. Evidently it is an image of the main Playboy who is well-known for his style and charm. The cover acts as a perfect visual symbol of mag`s specialization: the magazine caters for jaunty gentlemen who are habitués of glamorous parties and connoisseurs of female beauty. 

In the background in the frame Terry Ryan is depicted. Her portrait was the first to be shot in a Playboy studio – the first picture in the strain of future beautiful nude photos . 

A Toast to Bikinis 

In June 1962 editorial stuff decided to show more eye-popping cover photo – a sunburnt sexy woman in a bikini posing on a beach. It was the first time a covert girl in a bikini swimsuit was featured on the cover of Playboy. 

Hot Summer 1970 

In July 1970 Playboy pictured Joan Baez, folk singer and extremely good-looking woman who was featured on the cover of the mag. The blue-coloured photo is eye-catching and stunning: it focuses on women`s beauty, as usual. As a rule, Playboy posted the Playmate of the Month on the cover, but it was a pleasant exception. They have been always using the Best poses for a nude photo session and the result was amazing. Besides, they put a captivating interview with Joan inside the mag by Net Hentoff. 

The First Black Cover Girl

In October 1971 Darine Stern appeared on the cover of Playboy – she was the first black woman to be featured solo. The image is quite simple, but at the same time it is a fusion of femininity and exquisiteness. This very picture contributed to the future career of Darine – after the issue was published she became extremely popular and sought-after model.

Spring`s Top Seller

Bo Derek was featured on the cover of Playboy in March 1980. The shot was candid but Derek`s shapes were praiseworthy – she was like a Goddess. The star was at the height of her celebrity – less than a year before she appeared as a beach beauty in the film 10. Needless to say that this very issue became a spring`s top seller. 

Best Playboy's covers

Just Madonna

The icon of style, striking and controversial, hot and daring, the devil of a woman…all these words can be ascribed to Madonna. It will be no exaggeration to say that she is a legendary woman and thousands of men are at her feet. Madonna appeared on the cover of Playboy in September 1985 but her nude photos were taken in New York City in 1978, when she was a struggling singer. Her tempting look makes everyone buy the mag.

October 1989: Pamela Anderson

It was the first appearance of Pamela on the cover of Playboy. Shortly before her success Pamela served out beer at a football match in Vancouver where she was appealed to. Pamela beat the record – the star acted as the cover girl 13 times! Evidently, she is a favourite model of the mag`s best nude photographers. 

Socialite Kim Kardashian

We cannot but mention the notorious model and actress Kim Kardashian, since she also appeared on the cover of Playboy in December 2007. At that time her TV-Show just started and she wasn’t so popular, but the mag foresaw the future – now Kim and her family boast widespread glory and fame. What`s more, Kardashian West even has a book of her selfies!

Again Pamela

The issue published in winter 2016 featured our hot zesty Pamela – the legend of the mag. Sure thing, it`s quite difficult to refrain the desire to take pictures of beautiful Pamela and, actually, why should they refrain? 

That`s What We Call Eye-Popping Covers

Fashionable, illustrated and extremely popular lad mag is definitely to have some extraordinary and beguiling covers which appeal to the audience. Using different high end image editing services photographers and editors work hard as they want readers to adore Playboy. So, let us consider some eye-popping pictures which cannot but deserve our close attention.

July 1958 – an extraordinary bikini. 

One of the most unusual cover (December, 1967) is the reflection of “Summer of Love” (1960) which was oriented on the hippie culture – love, peace and freedom.

Yellow sunglasses and voluptuous lips – everything that the lad mag needs on the cover! (August, 1982)

The Simpsons is a cultic cartoon and no wonder that March Simpson was featured on the cover of no less cultic Playboy in 2009. 

One more glamorous cover was edited in 2013 – Tamara Ecclestone posed naked with diamonds only covered her body for Playboy magazine. 

And now Playboy is stopping publishing images of absolutely nude women, because the Internet has made them outdated. 

Playboy Photo Retouching

Any serious and prosperous magazine is sure to use professional photo retouching and different techniques in order to enhance the quality of pictures. Color correction, photo manipulation, creative magazine retouching are the essential elements of postproduction work.  Playboy is not an exception, of course – they have some retouching secrets which can be revealed.

One of the most interesting things is that sometimes they may edit a model`s chest to look it smaller in order to get away from Pamela Anderson`s look. But, it`s quite natural that the editorial stuff is likely sometimes to add a little boost to the bust if it is needed. What`s more they make arms, feet or heads smaller, fix ‘bulging knuckles’ in order for a model to look perfect. Besides, professional editors and retouchers use Photoshop tools to bring waist in or explore different effects of light and shadows. 

Moreover, different kinds of tattoos are not accepted – they are usually removed for delicate skin to be vividly seen. 

Magic of Photoshop allows photographers and editors to do everything – from skin retouching to teeth whitening. You can combine the covers of Playboy with Esquire magazine having read our previour article about Esquire magazine - extraordinary style of High End photo editing.

An ideal model should reflect the main values and ideas of the lad mag, thus they make them look voluptuous and even marvelous. Thus fashion image editing services are certainly of great help here.  Thus, it is just the matter of choice, but still Playboy magazine has been always enslaving hearts of our dear men!