Helmut Newtons Biography

Bought the book in the subject line.Started reading it.The first

impression I got is that Helmut is a very sexist man.It makes sense

that a man that objectifies women and loves them(as objects)would take

such great pictures of them.

Just a thought.

What was it that gave you that impression?

<i>It makes sense that a man that objectifies women and loves them(as objects)would take such great pictures of them</i><p>

Interesting theory that a man's ability to photograph women is based on how much of an a-hole he is. Exactly how does it make sense? I can't stand Newton (in case you didn't guess).

My photography teacher who was also a girlfriend steered me clear of Newton. I am not sexist and I don't like sexist images. I like women too much to be sexist. I think that men who objectify women don't understand them. I like to see women's photos of men too and I try to see a balanced world through the camera. Of course there is reason to make images which are challenging, but there is enough trouble to challenge us out there already without looking for more.

 

So, to answer your question, no I don't think that Newton makes great photos because he is sexist. However, a sexist man would no doubt disagree, and that is why Newton sells.

 

Is your first impression your gut feeling or does it change?

 

Cheers.

So, Helmut Newton is only appreciated by sexist males? Right.

I wouldn't say that. It's odd though that most women I've spoken with, when such a topic arises, don't like his work either. Am I saying that all women hate Helmut Newton? No. Just the ones I've spoken to. I like some of his pics too, but as a whole - nah.

 

I'm interested in pursuing the original theory in this post that only a sexist man can take beautiful pictures of women - an assertion which I find absurd.

<I>I wouldn't say that. It's odd though that most women I've spoken with, when such a topic arises, don't like his work either.</I><P>

 

I know plenty of women who like his work - many of them are models - so this may just reflect the social/political circles we travel in.<P>

Helmut Newton was a fashion photographer and his work is reflective of the fashion industry, especially in Europe. Since I do a lot of figure and fashion photography and I subscribe to magazines like Vogue and W, I guess I just don't see any problem with it.<P>

 

Anyway, I don't think any conclusions can be drawn about the relationship between one's photography and one's value system. As I mentioned above, I do lots of figure and fashion work and no one who knows me has ever even <B>suggested</B> that I'm sexist. although I would also suggest that terms like "sexist" and "objectify" are too ideologically-loaded and too lacking in critical definitions to be useful in a conversation like this.

<i>I know plenty of women who like his work - many of them are models - so this may just reflect the social/political circles we travel in.</i><p>

I believe you're right as I move in dancer/actor circles, so there's a different aesthetic at play.<p>

 

<i>Helmut Newton was a fashion photographer and his work is reflective of the fashion industry, especially in Europe. Since I do a lot of figure and fashion photography and I subscribe to magazines like Vogue and W, I guess I just don't see any problem with it.</i><p>

That's what doesn't appeal to me about his work. I always get the impression that I could superimpose a product or logo onto it. I'll be the first to admit he takes beautiful pictures - they're just too stylized and perfect for my tastes, which lean more towards Cunningham and Man Ray.<p>

 

<i>Anyway, I don't think any conclusions can be drawn about the relationship between one's photography and one's value system. As I mentioned above, I do lots of figure and fashion work and no one who knows me has ever even suggested that I'm sexist. although I would also suggest that terms like "sexist" and "objectify" are too ideologically-loaded and too lacking in critical definitions to be useful in a conversation like this.</i><p>

 

Ditto.

"Anyway, I don't think any conclusions can be drawn about the relationship between one's photography and one's value system....... although I would also suggest that terms like "sexist" and "objectify" are too ideologically-loaded and too lacking in critical definitions to be useful in a conversation like this.".... I just wanted to 'ditto' this too. :)

 

personally I thought playboy's helmut book was a little boring. and also, who cares if he is 'sexist' lots of people are... I might actually say I know more sexist women than men. I know of a few women who won't even look at or acknowledge a man in their presence just because they are 'men', (hence why I don't know them), I don't know any men who hate women like that (I am not saying they don't exist though).

 

those are my thoughts in response

late response, but i read the book and didn't find he came across as particularly sexist. He loves women but I don't think it is purely as objects. His relationship with his eventual wife (maybe you didn't get to it yet) is rather touching and evidently a very solid relationship. What struck me at the beginning was more how damn lucky he was to get out of Berlin before being sent to Dachau or similar....

 

[i am assuming that you are in fact referring not to a biography, but the autobigraphy, by the way.]

 

For teh record, my girlfriend loves his pictures, and so do I. They often ooze sexuality, which is different than simply showing the women as objects I think. Newton's nudes are generally very powerful images of women who have power, not just tits and arses to be ogled.

I don't think that one has to objectify women or be a sexist, in order to bring out their beauty on film, but I appreciate that everyone has a right to his opinion on that. Newton nevertheless created a whole new approach to fashion photography which will remains in the annals of art and photography. As all innovators are, the man was brilliant in his field, whether we identify with his work or not.

Contrary to what is said above also, there may well be a class issue involved here, since Helmut's work was essentially destined to promote fashion in the higher price echelon. If his photos were not appreciated by women in this category, the clothes that he was promoting would not sell and he would have been a failure.

Sorry to be back, but one cannot add directly onto a previous posting in this section .... I think that Robert says it very well above. Newton displayed women in a way that made them look powerful and in control. I would imagine that is why "upper class" women I refer to identify with his photos.

Some brief initial thoughts from me here.

 

Needless to say, I don't see Newton's images as sexist. The women did pose for him, after all, correct? So does that infer that they were "sexist" about themselves, or that they somehow were "objectifying" themselves?

 

Newton did bring a whole new look to the fashion photography genre, whether anyone likes to admit it or not. He often chafed under editorial and managerial restrictions, and was always trying to slip something by the editors. He was often furnished the model, complete with wardrobe, and told exactly how to do the shoot. I doubt any of us would like that. In spite of all that, his work developed a signature look that a lot of photographers try to emulate today...and most of them fail miserably, because like Avedon and others of that generation, there can be only one.

Jim:

 

I think it would be safer to say that ALL of them fail miserably. He was an icon and will be missed.

 

-Owen

I feel June Newton was a major part of Helmut's life and contributed to his work

indirectly.

Ryan:

 

I think June contributed to his work very directly and was a wonderful photographer. Take a look at the book "Mrs. Newton" and see if you don't agree.

 

-Owen