FEATURE:
Snapshots and Perfect Portraits
IN THIS PHOTO: The iconic photographer Terry O’Neill died on 16th November, 2019 at the age of eighty-one/PHOTO CREDIT: IBL/Rex/Shutterstock
Remembering Photographer Terry O’Neill
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IT is with a heavy heart that we have to say goodbye…
IN THIS PHOTO: The Beatles captured by O’Neill at Abbey Road Studios, London in 1963/ADDITIONAL CREDIT: Iconic Images
to another great music photographer. On 6th November, we lost Robert Freeman. He photographed, among others, The Beatles and now, a few days later, we have to mourn the loss of Terry O’Neill. Not only did he photo The Beatles; he snapped musicians such as The Rolling Stones, Elton John and Amy Winehouse – in addition to some of the most swinging and iconic stars of the 1960s. If you want to see his fantastic photos in book form, have a look on Amazon; it is well worth investing in a few volumes! Many might not recognise Terry O’Neill’s name, but you definitely will be familiar with his work! From the Iconic Images website, here is some information about the legendary photographer:
“Terry O’Neill CBE is one of the world’s most collected photographers with work hanging in national art galleries and private collections worldwide. From presidents to pop stars he has photographed the frontline of fame for over six decades.
O’Neill began his career at the birth of the 1960s. While other photographers concentrated on earthquakes, wars and politics, O’Neill realised that youth culture was a breaking news story on a global scale and began chronicling the emerging faces of film, fashion and music who would go on to define the Swinging Sixties. By 1965 he was being commissioned by the biggest magazines and newspapers in the world.
IN THIS PHOTO: Amy Winehouse was photographed by O’Neill in 2008/ADDITIONAL CREDIT: Iconic Images
No other living photographer has embraced the span of fame, capturing the icons of our age from Winston Churchill to Nelson Mandela, from Frank Sinatra and Elvis to Amy Winehouse, from Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot to Nicole Kidman, as well as every James Bond from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig.
He photographed The Beatles and The Rolling Stones when they were still struggling young bands in 1963, pioneered backstage reportage photography with David Bowie, Elton John, Eric Clapton and Chuck Berry and his images have adorned historic rock albums, movie posters and international magazine covers”.
Perhaps his most well-known photographer are those of Elton John. He published the 2008 book, Eltonography, and you can see some of those astonishing photos. Check out a recent book of Elton John snaps, and you can marvel at his work. Whilst O’Neill created iconic images of famous actors - including one of his girlfriend Faye Dunaway in 1977 (they were married from 1983 to 1986) -, he went on to snap some truly huge figures. As a music fan, the world has lost another influential and vitally important photographer. This article from The Guardian pays tribute to the late O’Neill:
“Terry O’Neill, the photographer who chronicled London’s 1960s culture by capturing the celebrities and public figures who defined the era, has died aged 81.
O’Neill, who was awarded a CBE last month for services to photography and was known for his work with the likes of Frank Sinatra, David Bowie and Elizabeth Taylor, died at home on Saturday night after a long illness, his agency said. He had prostate cancer.
IN THIS PHOTO: Terry O’Neill snapped Elton John as he performed at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in October 1975/ADDITIONAL CREDIT: Iconic Images
“It is with a heavy heart that Iconic Images announces the passing of Terence ‘Terry’ O’Neill, CBE,” a spokeswoman for the agency said. “As one of the most iconic photographers of the last 60 years, his legendary pictures will forever remain imprinted in our memories as well as in our hearts and minds.”
A biography on the agency’s website said: “O’Neill realised that youth culture was a breaking news story on a global scale and began chronicling the emerging faces of film, fashion and music who would go on to define the swinging 60s. By 1965 he was being commissioned by the biggest magazines and newspapers in the world.”
O’Neill helped capture an era of cultural and social revolution in Britain. He was one of the first people to shoot the Beatles, and would go on to work with the Rolling Stones, Brigitte Bardot and Sean Connery. O’Neill said of the Beatles: “I was only 20, and the youngest photographer on Fleet Street. It was obvious that John was the one with the personality, so I put him in the front”.
Many of us overlook photographer and people behind the scenes. When it comes to musicians, how many of us note the photographers, producers and other people who make the magic happen, whether that is visual or audio?! I hold such esteem for people like Terry O’Neill, as they capture musicians in ways we can never see them; showing new sides that reveal them in a new light.
IN THIS PHOTO: O’Neill shot The Rolling Stones in 1963, before they signed their first record contract/ADDITIONAL CREDIT: Iconic Images
Today, one can snap anyone on their phone and, in many ways, there is less affection and respect for photographers than there used to be. Some say photographers are largely unnecessary when we have so much technology, but think about the practical differences between an amateur fan and a professional. Now more than ever, musicians need to get their image out there and think about the visual side. There are great photographers out there that never get the credit they deserve. Terry O’Neill is one of the most reputable and respected photographers because of his incredible passion and talent. Look at shots he took of The Beatles and Elton John and you are mesmerised. I think photography is an extraordinarily medium that is always going to be an essential part of the music industry. I will wrap up in a minute but have a look at O’Neill’s Instagram to see his remarkable work. I want to finish off by quoting from an interview he gave last year, where he talked about his work and the fact there are few genuine icons/stars today:
“The cultural watershed of the 1960s gave working-class boys like me opportunities we wouldn’t have had otherwise. I wouldn’t have had a prayer of being successful in any other era.
There’s nobody around now I’d want to photograph. Amy Winehouse was the last person – real talent. All the proper stars have gone.
The Queen is the only person I’ve ever been nervous of photographing. I researched some horse-racing jokes to break the ice and thank God she laughed”.
The perfectionist in me always left me thinking I could have taken a better shot. But now when I look at photos of all the icons I’ve shot – like Mandela, Sir Winston Churchill and Sinatra – the memories come flooding back and I think, “Yeah, I did all right.”
Terry O’Neill died yesterday at the age of eighty-one and, when he says there are few worth photographing today, maybe he is right. Perhaps there are some great artists who can shine for the camera, but none with the magnitude of Amy Winehouse or David Bowie, say. We have lost a photographic giant but, as we know, Terry O’Neill’s phenomenal images…
IN THIS PHOTO: David Bowie is captured looking relaxed in 1974/ADDITIONAL CREDIT: Iconic Images
WILL always live on.