Tonight BBC2: Shooting the Hollywood Stars

Just saw an interview with him on breakfast. Looks like it might be an interesting programme. I've set Sky-plus for it.

Andy
 
just been reading about this in the Sunday times mag where it has pick of the day

I reckon its probably worth a look
 
I'll be watching this! Thanks for mentioning it. I saw the "Seven Photographs That Changed Fashion" a while ago which was pretty good, I imagine this will be similar to that.
 
Interesting how he re-creates the lighting effects from yesteryear, and how difficult it is. Even e said he learnt something new when doing the Jane Rusell shoot
 
Really enjoyed that, it was brill to see how the old images were recreated and all the thought put into each and every shot :thumbs:

for anyone that missed it its on Iplayer available here Clicky Linky
 
A really excellent programme. It's nice to see a photographer reflected so well on tele. I also liked how passionate Martin Sheen was about getting into the character of Charlie Chaplin.
 
I really enjoyed it. Rankin is a natural presenter and I'd certainly like to see him doing more programmes like this.
 
A really good bit of television programming. The technical side, as well as the artistic, was fascinating.
 
I think Rankin struggles with the concept of photography without digital editing.
Well, maybe not concept, but he can't let it go.
He just has so many back-up's its unreal.
I don't for one minute imagine that a re-creation is anything like as easy as making a shot for the first time though, which ever medium is used.
 
Just Dave said:
Really enjoyed that, it was brill to see how the old images were recreated and all the thought put into each and every shot :thumbs:

for anyone that missed it its on Iplayer available here Clicky Linky
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Thanks for the link Dave, I missed it being on earlier but can now watch it in my own time.
Dave
 
And for anyone else who is still here and has HD it is on BBC HD in around half an hour.
 
I'm watching it at the moment and the first segment with Michael Sheen just shows through a lot of what I've always thought about certain portrait shots and that it's more of the input of the performer and make-up artists who is creating the image as opposed to the person actually taking it. I think some photographers get too much credit when it really is a joint effort.
 
But if the photographer has the concept, the setup, the lighting and the execution as well as the PP then the stylists are a very necessary part but they only usually work under the direction of either the art director or the photographer.

So it IS usually down to the photographer from concept to completion. Annie Liebowitz had a cast of thousands, but they were all working to her brief.
 
Good point. I was glad to see him getting more involved and the way that some of the other shots were set up.

There was a guy on the Jane Russell shot with him who seemed to be directing most of the lighting. Are these guys working for him, or with him? That question probably goes a long way to who takes the final credit at the end of the image.
 
guybrush said:
Good point. I was glad to see him getting more involved and the way that some of the other shots were set up.

There was a guy on the Jane Russell shot with him who seemed to be directing most of the lighting. Are these guys working for him, or with him? That question probably goes a long way to who takes the final credit at the end of the image.
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I've seen some pro togs like this literally say "this is what I want, make it happen" then they turn up and press the button. But they have people who they trust and that understand what they mean.

Credit still goes to the tog :)

Just watched this, excellent idea and show :) Downloading it now to keep in my tog folder :)
 
What an Arse referring to himself by his surname

EDIT:

Middle name, still an arse though :lol:
 
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I enjoyed it but I cant say I learned anything from it. I guess it isnt a show for photographers but more for entertainment and for that I enjoyed it. Michael Sheen was fantastic as was the Faye Dunaway shoot.

I am not a big fan of Rankin's work personally, but I respect that he is an amazing photographer, but I thought his documentary on South Africa was much more interesting. But he definitely has a way with presenting which probably appeals to most non photographers.

Rovers_Andy said:
What an Arse referring to himself by his surname

EDIT:

Middle name, still an arse though :lol:
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I always laughed at his name because up in my part of Scotland its common to call something unsavoury "rankin'". But he has still built up a fantastic brand through it all.
 
I really enjoyed that, I really liked his other BBC documentary South Africa in pictures as well.
 
Vic said:
I enjoyed it but I cant say I learned anything from it. I guess it isnt a show for photographers but more for entertainment and for that I enjoyed it.
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How can you say that it isn't for photographers? There was a huge amount of info about shot set ups and lighting detail. In fact that was the bit that I found the most interesting, as well as the background for the original concepts.
 
DemiLion said:
How can you say that it isn't for photographers? There was a huge amount of info about shot set ups and lighting detail. In fact that was the bit that I found the most interesting, as well as the background for the original concepts.
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It certainly didn't feel that way to me, if you learned something great but it seemed more of a history of hollywood rather than photography.
 
Dont know what this sites PRO photographers think, but with his choice of gear, top assistants, models and place of work don't think it would be that difficult to reproduce a image of choice. Still not to bad a programme.
 
lol I'd love to see you try! :)

firstly you need to understand how the original shot was put together and lit, what lens it was shot with to get the perspective right and how to process an image these days to match the technology available then.

Not an easy one to pull off at all and I think he did very well with the ones he did. i also liked the fact that he touched on the classic Marlyn Munro images without trying to recreate them.

He's a top notch portrait photographer, I remember reading one journalist who had been to have his portrait done by Rankin and he was actually most unnerved by the process because he felt Rankin had got right under his skin. It's that bit that separates him from someone half tidy with a camera. :)
 
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I think the Monroe shots would have been seen as trying to ape NY magazine's version with Lohan too much, hence avoiding them.

I think that you are spot on with the getting under people's skin angle though. One classic examples that comes to mind straight away is Karsh's Churchill.

There was another of one of the Bennett/Potter/Pinter generation of playwrights taken outside the stage door post performance by a British female photographer, but I can't remember who it was at the moment.
 
DemiLion said:
How can you say that it isn't for photographers? There was a huge amount of info about shot set ups and lighting detail. In fact that was the bit that I found the most interesting, as well as the background for the original concepts.
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I saw the show and found it fascinating. It was a look at the way image portrayal, lighting techniques etc have developed. Waay better than that awful 'how to take stunning photos' nonsense. Rankin is excellent - how many assistants does he have! Made you look to see what lighting was used and how to recreate. Fascinating old bird Jean Harlow, omigosh, that's what happens after x-many facelifts! Loved the Marlon Brando motorbike one - will have to get my OH to try that one, if I can find a cap that suits the shot LOL.
 
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guybrush said:
.... There was a guy on the Jane Russell shot with him who seemed to be directing most of the lighting. Are these guys working for him, or with him? .....
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The other guy (the American) was the big format specialist and probably owned the studio. If you watch closely, there's a bit of friction going on between them (especially when the American keeps moving the lights).
 
Watched it last night and as a relative newcomer to photography I found it really interesting to see how a Pro goes about his work and all the work and effort that goes into getting a great shot. I don't think I even have the patience to wait for a cloud that "maybe" going to briefly cover the sun to get the right light. Brilliant programme.
 
AliB said:
i also liked the fact that he touched on the classic Marlyn Munro images without trying to recreate them.
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Agreed, my heart almost stopped when I thought he was going to re-create the Richard Avedon image, my favorite image of Marilyn. There was a photographer who could get under your skin then shred every nerve you had until he got what he wanted.

I thought the Faye Dunaway was a bad idea as well, it was more of a portrait with a specific mood and was as much about that time than it was about Faye. But I enjoyed the story behind it and the Terry O'Neill's commentary. I wished he would have re-created his image of Bardot instead.
 
AliB said:
lol I'd love to see you try! :)

AliB
I accept your challenge.
You supply the following:-
A selection of portrait style film advertising shots taken in UK, similar to those used in the TV programme "Shooting the Hollywood Stars".
My choice of actor/model.
Access to a wardrobe props department.
My choice of a fully equipted studio venue.
My choice of make up artist.
My choice of a assistant.

I will get Mr John Rankin Waddell, [who I think is a brilliant photographer in is own right] if available, Mr Terry Oneill or agreed substitute, to compare the print against my choice of your supplied selection.
This will make a good project/challenge for 2011.
Waiting on your reply.
Albi :cool:
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joxby said:
I think Rankin struggles with the concept of photography without digital editing.
Well, maybe not concept, but he can't let it go.
He just has so many back-up's its unreal.
I don't for one minute imagine that a re-creation is anything like as easy as making a shot for the first time though, which ever medium is used.
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kev cannock yes mate i did recreation at cannock college last year really hard especially trying to get the lighting right.
 
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