Worn Out: The Beard of Five Guys
Posted by Joshua Yospyn | April 8, 2010
Brian is one of the few people I’ve photographed who photographed me (in his case with a Lomography multilens camera). He struck me as professional of all things electronic, including WordPress, which this website and blog is based entirely on. But he’s more than a technofile. On the back of his card it reads:
And for the fear of our passion
And for the knowledge we desire
And for the technology we bring
We will forever be bound with
A vulture feasting upon our hearts
The reason I photographed Brian is obvious, but I respect anyone with the patience and certitude to grow (and in this heat, keep) such a beard. Mine is shaven off at the first sign of spring but his endures all year. And at that length, year after year after year…
Photo Credit: Joshua Yospyn
Comments
I often hear guys say they shave when it gets hot. But then I hear a lot of big bearded guys like this one who say that their beards actually shield their faces from the heat (and keep it warm in the winter). I mean think about it. The hair on the top of our head shields our scalps from the heat. I know when I have longer hair, my head is much cooler than when I have a buzz cut. And when the sweat accumulates and a breeze blows through it, it’s even more cooling. Also, the length of the beard wouldn’t make it any more hotter on your face since it’s hanging down well below it.
Those are valid points. I guess a shorter beard might be scratchier than what Brian’s got, as it’s still growing and your skin is getting used to it. There must be some plateau where the length begins to cool rather than wool, but I’ve never gotten there.