Helmut Newton

"My job as a portrait photographer is to seduce, amuse and entertain.” [~ Helmut Newton]

"It's that I don't like white paper backgrounds. A woman does not live in front of white paper. She lives on the street, in a motor car, in a hotel room." [ ~ Helmut Newton]

Helmut Newton [1920- 2004] ... one of the most influential and most copied fashion photographer of the 20th century! ... He worked for magazines like Vogue, Playboy, Elle, Marie-Claire ... he worked for/with YSL, Loris Azzaro, Pierre Cardin, Tom Ford [Gucci], Karl Lagerfeld [Chanel], Jean Paul Gaultier ... and photographerd top models like Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Monica Bellucci, Marlene Dietrich, Ava Gardner ...

Check out some of his photos ... click here ... and here ... [click on the left side at the film-rolls!]

His style is often described with terms as ... "dark erotic", "sado- masochistic", "fetishistic", "porno-chic", "surreal" ... He showed gorgeous women in immaculate make-up, heavy jewellery and vicious stiletto heels, at exotic locations - to create a unique imaginative world. He introduced elements of violence by featuring semi-nude models photographed from the rear holding pistols, knives discreetly hidden from their beaus behind their backs. His notoriety/fame increased in the 1980's with his “Big Nudes” series … consisting large format photographs of naked women. It is considered as "pinnacle of erotic urban style underpinned with excellent technical skills".

"People gave us everything for free. We were allowed only so much film per picture, but there was no limit to the creativity. I like to say that they let us loose like wild dogs in the streets of Paris." [~ Helmut Newton]

Helmut Newton was also a friend and photographer of surrealist Salvador Dali. They both died on the same date, 23rd January. Salvador Dali died in Spain due to old age. Newton crashed with his car in Hollywood exactly 15 years later. A unique coincidence!!!