In writing a men’s health blog, I always try to be careful to not act like men have been systematically oppressed. Every ABSOT post runs through a review process by my Editor-in-Chief, Katie, and we’ve had numerous conversations about making sure that I’m keeping my eye on the ball with regards to the overall scope of society in regards to men and privilege. While I do get very passionate about men’s health, the truth is that men have done much of this damage to themselves by perpetuating harmful stereotypes and narratives.

It took two years to find and photograph 100 women for this photographic categorisation of the female breast. They were aged 19 to 101, and from all walks of life, from Buddhist nun to burlesque dancer. The artwork illustrated a book entitled ‘Bare Reality’, now in its second edition. Each photograph is accompanied short first person stories which offer, en masse, a striking counter-narrative to the objectification of the female body. Masculinity is such a big topic. I asked a lot of men, "what does it mean for you to be a man" - and their answers ranged from "tall, strong, hairy" to "being a provider, looking after your family" to "just being a good person. It's the same as being a woman". Manhood: The Bare Reality provides an important contribution to the emotional and physical exploration of men and masculinities. Intimate interviews offer insight into how men navigate sex, desire, hopes and anxieties; these diverse inner lives are complemented with images that document equally diverse bodies. Read it to understand men better, both inside and out." - Dr Joseph Gelfer, researcher of men and masculinities

Sad, funny, shocking, sexy

Vagina, vulva, lady garden, pussy, beaver, cunt, fanny...whatever you call it most women have no idea what’s ‘down there’. Culturally and personally, no body part inspires love and hate, fear and lust, worship and desecration in the same way. If women are going to stand there and expose themselves in that open way, then to be one of the men who is willing to do that is a really positive thing.” I don't think one person can have the final say on what masculinity is, so instead there are 100 men's stories and voices. I don't think a clear definition of masculinity is required but I hope it gives readers more compassion and kindness for men in their lives and really raises some questions." I feel that when men come together and talk we can integrate our emotions and then be true in our actions.”

As for the pictures, did she hear many jokes about the temperature in the studio? “Lots. It was one of the first things some people said. In the summer it was fine, but in the winter I was very anxious to keep the heating up high for people.” And finally, I found it really delightful to read perspectives from people across the lifespan, all the way up. The book opens with an interview with a 92-year-old. I found that the interviews from older folks to be the ones that most often caused me laughter and delight. Wonderful. And I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have a way of hearing those stories other than through a book like this (or not until I'm 92 myself), so, thanks Laura. Hearing these men’s stories was an absolute privilege and honour and I am very grateful for the experience. I’m excited this book share with you. I don’t think people will have heard men talk so honestly about so many fascinating subjects. Masculinity is associated with being ‘strong and silent’, yet here is a book of 100 men talking frankly and intimately about their manhood in both senses. The conventional wisdom is that men don’t like to talk about things, and that they are suffering and even dying because they don’t talk about this part of their body.” Starting Manhood was different compared to Bare Reality. I'm used to seeing women in the changing room but I've generally only seen adult penises in sexual settings so it was a little bit embarrassing and awkward to start with. I just tried to make sure none of that came across and kept the environment safe and professional." 3. Most men think they're too smallAs men, we are told to be have a cool, calm exterior, never cry, brush things off. But you need to have emotion.” We need to talk more – not about sports and women and stereotypical “guy things,” but about what really drives us as people. Topics like our physical and mental health, our worries and insecurities, our hopes and dream, and our overall emotions should become commonplace.

All one hundred of these interviews are intimate and exploratory and give us candid, honest and sometimes difficult insights in what it means to be a man in the 21st Century. Manhood shows us the spectrum of ‘normal’, revealing men’s penises and bodies in all their diversity and glory, helping in dispelling body image anxiety and myths. Size matters (to men) this book says over and over again, along with the incongruities of nudity and the strengths and vulnerabilities that this brings forth. These selected quotes (in italics and used with permission of publisher) were moments that made me think about my own experiences growing up as a boy, adolescent, and man and how we can shape the future of our sex. The concept of “traditional manhood” My books Bare Reality: 100 women, their breasts, their stories, Manhood: The Bare Realityand Womanhood: The Bare Reality attracted worldwide media coverage and critical acclaim. I gave a TEDxtalk about the series. A Channel 4 documentary based on Womanhoodcalled 100 Vaginashas now been aired around the world. That led to being commissioned by The Guardian to direct another documentary, SCARS. The aubergine is the best emoji for this project – but I haven’t used it myself, because I don’t want to reduce masculinity to an aubergine’After Bare Reality came out, I found myself drawn, perhaps compelled, to create an inner psychological and creative balance, and explore men’s stories. Manhood: The Bare Reality is a collection of 100 intimate photographs and interviews with men, and explores themes of masculinity, gender and sexuality, offering a unique insight into what it means to be a man in the 21st century.