Steve Schapiro, 85, is still taking pictures
Last Saturday (January 15, 2022) photographer Steve Schapiro died at home from pancreatic cancer at the age of 87.
During Steve Schapiro's career, he photographed many celebrities, including civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., boxer Ali, Robert E. Lee, and others. F. Kennedy. He is also one of the favorite cinematographers for Hollywood film directors and actors, having shot behind-the-scenes stills for more than 200 Hollywood films and david Bowie's royal cinematographer.
The 1960s were the golden age of photojournalism, and many people thought that photographs could record reality, but Schapiro said that photographs can also deceive people, "What really determines the authenticity of photography is the moment the photographer presses the shutter." ”
Photograph the godfather's man
Stills from The Godfather are Steve Schapiro's best-known photographic work. The Godfather is one of the most influential films in the history of cinema, winning three awards at the 45th Academy Awards: "Best Picture", "Best Actor" and "Best Adapted Screenplay".
Brando and the Cat, 1971
2022 is the 50th anniversary of the release of "The Godfather", and there are still generations of young fans who are fascinated by it, and Schapiro describes the charm of "The Godfather", "This film creates a world. ”
The Godfather 1, 1971
In the Garden, 1971
The Godfather 2, 1974
At the time, filming stills was not an easy task. Film cameras are sensitive to changes in light, and even when stills of the same scene are shot, the lighting needs to be readjusted as soon as the angle changes.
Although Schapiro can often shoot satisfactory works, he sometimes can't help but complain, "In between shooting, you need to spend 1 hour or even 1 and a half hours, and the time you shoot on the set is not even as long as the waiting time." ”
Brando with director Francis Ford Coppola, 1971
On the set of The Godfather, Schapiro met Robert De Niro, and 4 years later, De Niro was involved in the filming of Taxi Driver, and he recommended Schapiro to be the set stills of Taxi Driver.
Taxi Driver director Martin Scorsese photographs taxi drivers in the back seat of De Niro's taxi, 1975
Probably because of the golden age of cinema, Schapiro has always felt that the quality of the current film is much worse than before. "The lines of the films I've worked on have been carefully choreographed, and the actors and directors have been fully involved. But now the movie seems to be focused on the action and doesn't care about how the story is told. They kept thinking about the movie action and how many explosion scenes could be set up in an hour and a half. ”
But schapiro started out as a freelance photojournalist for the magazine and one of the most important witnesses to the black civil rights movement in the United States.
The Golden Age of Photojournalism
From a very young age, Schapiro discovered the joy of photography.
"When I was 9 years old, I loved clouds, I would take pictures of them, and when I watched them wash out in the darkroom, I discovered the magic of photography."
Schapiro's career began as a freelance photographer under journalist eugene Smith, and Schapiro was also influenced by street photographer Henri Cartier Bresson, who liked to take black-and-white photos with strong contrasts.
Inside the car, 1960
Halloween, 1960
3 men, 1961
Happy hour, 1961
Schapiro was one of the leading photographers who documented the American civil rights movement, and the American writer James Baldwin was the one who led him into the movement.
Initially, Schapiro read Baldwin's article in a magazine called 'The Fire Next Time', and he was impressed by it. At that time, he mainly contributed to Life magazine, and he proposed to the editor whether he could do a photo shoot of Baldwin, and after the topic was approved, he followed Baldwin around speaking.
James Baldwin in "The Entrance to People of Color," 1963
James Baldwin at the door of the fried chicken shop, 1963
"Do you love me?" In 1963
James Baldwin dancing, 1963
During his journey to film Baldwin, Schapiro documented the development of the civil rights movement, and Martin Luther King Jr. became an important figure in his footage.
Selma Parade, 1965
Martin Luther King Jr. and other black activists at the parade, 1965
Martin Luther King Jr. protests with passers-by in the rain, 1965
After the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Schapiro went to his hotel room for filming, 1968
Schapiro never imagined that these photos would still be highly concerned 50 years later, "and my biggest concern at the time was whether I had any photos that the magazine could use next week." ”
Protesters and Soldiers, 1964
Brooklyn Streets, 1964
Women reading newspapers to children, 1964
Students singing loudly hand in hand, 1964
Middle-aged woman holding a sign, 1965
"The Worst Is Still on The Road", 1968
"A lot of things are secrets between me and the people who shoot"
David Bowie is perhaps Steve Schapiro's most photographed subject, having been taking photographs of David Bowie since 1974 and occasionally pulling through several photographs of David Bowie from time to time until After Bowie's death.
David Bowie, New Mexico, 1975
David Bowie, Los Angeles, 1975. Schapiro's photographs of David Bowie are on display at Camera Work in Berlin.
In addition to David Bowie, Steve Schapiro has photographed many celebrities, and in the photo collection Schapiro's Heroes (2007), he features 10 people he has worked with, including Mohammed Ali, Andy Warhol, Martin Luther King, King, Robert Kennedy, Ray Charles, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, James Baldwin, Samuel Beckett, Barbara Streisand, and Truman Capote.
Boxer Muhammad Ali on the street, 1963
"He loves riding bikes with the kids," Schapiro said.
"The neighbors' children all came to Ali's house to make trouble everywhere, and they had a lot of fun together."
Ali Shows Muscle, Kentucky - Louisville, USA, 1963
Ali with Mini Gloves, 1963
A virtual exhibition themed "Ali the King of Fighters" is being held at Camera Work in Berlin and will run until March 3, 2022.
Samuel Beckett staring at a parrot, 1964. "An introverted genius who sees everything in a new poetic way."
Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick (Warhol Girls), Los Angeles, 1965
Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick, Los Angeles, 1965 "The Glamour Duo of the '60s."
Warhol under the Silver Cloud, New York, 1965
Kennedy Campaign, California, 1966 Robert Kennedy joins his admirers on the road to elections.
Nico in Times Square, New York, 1972 "Became more iconic and glamorous because she was not understood."
He has also collaborated with musicians such as Barbara on record covers and related art projects.
In an interview, Schapiro was asked if there was ever a shot that made you unhappy.
Schapiro said, "Oh, I can't tell you that a lot of it is a secret between me and my subjects." ”