Bill Dobbins
Encyclopedia
Bill Dobbins is an American photographer who specializes in bodybuilding
, 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 credits his past association with Ben Weider
and bodybuilding organizations such as the IFBB
and NPC
in helping to write the rules for female bodybuilding.
Dobbins is also an author and writer for physique magazines. He has collaborated with Arnold Schwarzenegger
on several books, including Arnold's Bodybuilding For Men and The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding.
and WABC
in New York
, before eventually moving to California
where he became involved with the original Gold's Gym
. During this period Dobbins got to know several male bodybuilders such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, and undertook promotional work for the gym. This attracted the attention of Joe Weider
, and Dobbins began writing for Muscle & Fitness
and eventually was made the founding editor of Flex
magazine.
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
, physique and fitness
Physical fitness
Physical fitness comprises two related concepts: general fitness , and specific fitness...
photography. In particular Dobbins is well known for his work in photographing female bodybuilders
Female bodybuilding
Female bodybuilding is the female component of competitive bodybuilding. It began in the late 1970s when women began to take part in bodybuilding competitions.-Beginnings:...
and has published two books of images on the subject, The Women and Modern Amazons.
Dobbins credits his past association with Ben Weider
Ben Weider
Benjamin "Ben" Weider, was the co-founder of the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness along with brother Joe Weider...
and bodybuilding organizations such as the IFBB
IFBB
IFBB can refer to:* Independent Family Brewers of Britain* International Federation of BodyBuilders...
and NPC
National Physique Committee
The National Physique Committee is the largest amateur bodybuilding organization in the United States. Amateur bodybuilders compete in various competitions from local to national competitions sanctioned by the NPC...
in helping to write the rules for female bodybuilding.
Dobbins is also an author and writer for physique magazines. He has collaborated with Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
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 embark on a career as a radio producer, primarily at WNBCWNBC
WNBC, virtual channel 4 , is the flagship station of the NBC television network, located in New York City. WNBC's studios are co-located with NBC corporate headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in midtown Manhattan...
and WABC
WABC (AM)
WABC , known as "NewsTalkRadio 77 WABC" is a radio station in New York City. Owned by the broadcasting division of Cumulus Media, the station broadcasts on a clear channel and is the flagship station of Cumulus Media Networks...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, before eventually moving to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
where he became involved with the original Gold's Gym
Gold's Gym
Gold's Gym International, Inc. is an international chain of co-ed fitness centers originally started in California by Joe Gold. Each gym features a wide array of exercise equipment, group exercise classes and personal trainers to assist clients...
. During this period Dobbins got to know several male bodybuilders such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, and undertook promotional work for the gym. This attracted the attention of Joe Weider
Joe Weider
Josef E. "Joe" Weider is co-founder of the International Federation of BodyBuilders along with brother Ben Weider and creator of the Mr. Olympia, the Ms. Olympia, and the now-defunct Masters Olympia bodybuilding contests...
, and Dobbins began writing for Muscle & Fitness
Muscle & Fitness
Muscle & Fitness is an American bodybuilding magazine founded by Joe Weider, but now published by American Media, Inc.-History:Muscle & Fitness has a more mainstream focus than its companion publication, Flex...
and eventually was made the founding editor of Flex
FLEX (magazine)
Flex is an American bodybuilding magazine, published by American Media, Inc.-History:Founded in 1983 by Joe Weider, local versions are now published throughout the world, in countries such as the UK and Australia.The premier issue was dated April 1983, and featured Chris Dickerson on the cover...
magazine.