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8 Dec 2011

Anton Corbijn Portraits





All photos Copyright Anton Corbijn

I discovered the photos of Anton Corbijn almost ten years ago. It was a great moment for me. I had always loved portraiture and had invested in numerous portfolios when I found his book in a Florentine Book Shop. I was captivated. I adored the collection of moody portraits of rockstars in Everybody Hurts printed in strong high contrast duotone,with lots of film grain and full of almost 'slit your wrist emotion'.

I found his images liberating. At the time I was just on the road to defining my style. My portraits were full of action, noise, movement and happiness (and still are). I adored that his portraits were the total opposite. They screamed of fragility to me and here were some of the biggest rockstars in the world showing a vulnerable face. But was it the rockstars showing their vulnerability or was it the genius of Anton Corbijn that was looking for something more than the polished image of a successful international rockstar and used his talent to produce them? I think Mr. Corbijn had a big hand in this.

I read in an interview that Anton Corbijn arrived at this grainy style by accident. As a young photographer he would be shooting concerts all night with high speed film and then have some of it left over in his camera and the following day do a portrait. At the time it was about money and not wanting to waste half a roll of film and through this casual coincidence Corbijn built his work to be as recognisable as 'brand'.  He used the unforgiveable strong process of duotones to print and what the viewer is left with is a stark and beautiful portrait. Black tones that disappear, harsh lines that are ingrained and highlighted skin.
Anton, Carla Loves You!!!! You taught me that having 'quiet' pictures was cool.

I have listed some of my favourite portrait photographers in a section of my store where you will find endless inspiration from the world's greatest photographers..I certainly have..

Creativity is in all of us

Carla x

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13 comments:

  1. Unknown8 December 2011 at 03:51

    Wow - these are so dramatic and so raw - I can feel the angst. Talk about capturing the emotion. Amazing and thank you - have not heard of Anton Corbijn before. Will certainly look out for him. Cheers F

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  2. Virginia8 December 2011 at 06:03

    Carla, you continue to inspire me and today you rock my world. I have so much to learn. Merci.

    These portraits startle me for lack of a better word. They are gritty and I like them but not in a feel good way. I hope you understand what I'm desperately trying to say!

    Keep going with your blog in this direction my dear.
    Hoping to see you soon. I'll email you.
    xx
    V

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  3. Josephine8 December 2011 at 07:03

    Have you seen the movie _The American_? He directed it, and it's gorgeous. I kept thinking that almost every frame would make a startling still photo. It's one of my favorite movies of that year. George Clooney is fantastic in it, and most of the film takes place in Italy.

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  4. Tamera8 December 2011 at 08:20

    I love Corbijn's style as well. I find honesty and authenticity in his work. And it's so instantly recognizable. I would love to be photographed by him.

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  5. Ron Roelandt8 December 2011 at 12:18

    Corbijn is one of my absolute favorits. I 'met' him under the Joshua Tree, the U2 album. Anton Corbijn remained, U2 is slowly fading away (unfortunately).

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  6. Natalie8 December 2011 at 15:01

    Great Master-Photographer. Emotions are tense as a string, he rally drawn the bow and the arrow is aimed right at your heart. Great portraits. A new name for me. Thank you Carla.

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  7. Sarah8 December 2011 at 17:07

    there's so much emotion in these photos - and i truly enjoy such photos. honestly i'm not a fan of grainy photos but these are an exception.

    thanks for sharing, carla! x

    p/s: i've got a giveaway happening at my blog!

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  8. peggy braswell8 December 2011 at 18:33

    As Josephine says...see The American. Love your blog. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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  9. leah of sang the bird8 December 2011 at 23:21

    these are beautiful. a raw, dark edginess. but they make me feel a bit uncomfortable. great to see the complete opposite to your work. xxx

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  10. Lauren9 December 2011 at 11:16

    I love that description of his style, "slit your wrists!" Fitting!

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  11. Pinecone Camp9 December 2011 at 15:34

    I watched a fantastic documentary about Anton. Love watching him work. These images are so beautiful!

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  12. Crave13 December 2011 at 04:27

    Love the honesty and emotion in these portraits...love the slight imperfections that he creates.

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  13. Audrey13 December 2011 at 19:33

    Yes, i'm a big fan of Anton Corbijn too. So once in a while he's on a dutch tv program, he is so modest!
    Everything he does, he does it well and with a lot of compassion.

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