Shot by the famous

By Martin Joergensen | October 19, 2008 12:14 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 1)

We see celebrity pictures all over the place, all the time, and mostly too many of them if you ask me. But it's not often we see pictures shot by the celebrities themselves.
Famous people, usually spending their time in front of the lens, can be great photographers too.

Dennis Hopper has been my all time favorite celeb-shooter. I saw some of his images at Photokina recently, where they were shown in large copies. His fame comes primarily from his acting - Easy Rider, Apocalypse Now, Blue Velvet, Red Rock West and many more - but his stylish shots of artists like Bill Cosby, Andy Warhol, and David Hockney as well as his shots from the sixties' civil rights demonstrations in the US have proven him quite accomplished behind a camera. It almost makes me forgive him for Waterworld... almost.

Just recently we have seen Brad Pitt shoot Angelina Jolie for the magazine W. Mr. Pitt is obviously not a stranger to photography. At least he demanded to be equipped with a rare and out-of-production film - Kodak Tech Pan - for his session with Ms. Jolie. And Mr. Pitt is not a bad photographer either, at least judging from the results presented on W's web site. On the other hand, give me a week with Ms. Jolie and some grainy B/W film, and I'll show you what magic I can do...

Danish born actor Viggo Mortensen is also well versed as a photographer. He has shot since childhood it seems, and exhibits on occasions and has published his photos in several books. The photo to the right is from his book Skovbo. He has just opened a exhibition here in Denmark of his beautiful landscapes and scenic shots. The opening was transmitted on TV, and not only did Mr. Mortensen himself come over as a really nice and modest guy, but his pictures looked great and the hanging seemed very well organized. I will try to find the time to go to Roskilde to see his exhibition.

PS: Speaking of film inspiration. My favorite flicks with the above, all shot in ways that can inspire photography, and very different too.
Hopper: Blue Velvet. Any day. He's so scary!
Pitt: Snatch. Oy! Pikey!
Mortensen: Gotta be Lord of the Rings. Sorry for not having more fantasy, but he was so well cast for that role. Return of the King is my personal favorite.