Capturing the Stars

There is a cycle of appreciation between filmmakers and photographers both being artists of a rare craft that works with the simple idea of imagery. It is the coming together of technical and artistic attributes that show off the artistry of both these connected forms. Paul Joyce is a photographer who has achieved much success in photographing filmmakers, the still image man, captures the moving image man (or woman). He is a rare photographer who got his feet wet in an engaging and beguiling manner Capturing the Stars from behind and in front of the camera.

There are no extravagant poses, no eye-catching props and no facial contortions. Like the greatest works of art in any discipline, Paul’s portraits manage to capture the very life and soul of his subjects, expressing through this medium something ethereal and touching that can nevertheless be framed and mounted on a wall. The portrait is surely the greatest test of any artist and in this regard, Paul’s works can be considered canonical.

Paul Joyce reflects the difference between reputation and real-life of the celebrities he captures in his lens. The photographer has a painter in him who has iconic subject from the disciplines of music, theatre, photography other than films. Dennis Hopper in 1994, Sophia Loren in 1995, Martin Sheen in 1996, Robert Redford in 1994, the legendary director Billy Wilder and many other recognisable faces of 20th and 21st Century.

To celebrate Paul’s life and work, A Life Behind the Lens compiles Paul’s selective work in his remarkable career from 19th January to 21st April 2021.

Another putative celebutante, Harold Feinstein, known for unique work that is present in museums worldwide. His career in photography began in 1946 at the age of 15 and within four short years, his work became part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Among his achievements, at 17 he became a prominent figure in the vanguard of the early New York City street photography scene. Feinstein had his first exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1954.

His Coney Island work has been much celebrated. He has a large collection of classic street photography, nudes, portraits and still life.In 2011 at the age of 80, he was given “The Living Legend Award” by the Griffin Museum of Photography. His rarest collections of coloured photographs are being exhibited in the Viewing Room #10 for the first time ever.

While celebrating these renowned names who have captured the stars through their lenses, let us not forget former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman who claims -“I took photos long before I was a musician”.Wyman originally picked up photography as a means of illustrating his daily life, like a diary, to keep a record for his son. Later, he turned to photography to pass the time between gigs.

The musician turned photographer clicked his bandmates and famous friends back then and has now compiled some of these photos which contain snaps stretching from the Sixties into the late Eighties. The photography installation is available at Proud Galleries, London.

If you find Capturing the Stars interesting, do look into Creative Photography