A Time & Place for Paparazzi?

This post is not intended to celebrate the paparazzi subculture, but instead to pose the question: if they were relegated to a time and a place, along with some constraints and a sense of rule and order, would their contributions be welcome? (Disclaimer: I am sorry to admit that I have been known to buy tabloids -- blame it on the long lines at the grocery store.) If not for the orderly, respectful conduct of the paparazzi (and barricades and security!) we see at events like the Golden Globes, we would not have the pleasure of seeing Angelina in her Atelier Versace gown on the red carpet.

Photo Credit: Tumblr / Photographer Unknown

"The marvels of daily life are exciting; no movie director can arrange the unexpected that you find in the street." --Robert Doisneau

Au Pont de L'alma



Couple with Wheat and Goat, Occupied Paris, WWII




1964





Pres de Sainte-Maxime

Women with Same Hat, 1956


Centipede des Enfants

Dove Trainer

Les Pains de Picasso, 1952

Un Regard Olique, 1948


Le Fox Terrier au Pont des Arts


The Cellist, 1957

L'Accordeoniste, Rue Mouffetard, Paris, 1951

Wanda Wiggles her Hips, 1953

Fortune Teller, 1951

The Innocent, 1949



Paris, 1956

Paris, 1936

Les Freres, 1934

Les Chiens de la Chapelle

Le Meute, 1969



Le Basier de L'Hotel de Vilne, 1950






Robert Doisneau, Self Portrait, 1950s

Click here for a short bio on Robert Doisneau provided by the Staley-Wise Gallery.

Times Square

It is only days away before party goers descend upon Times Square to bring in the New Year. Here is a photograph of Times Square minus the New Year's Eve crowd, shot by Inge Morath in 1957.

David LaChapelle Sexy Christmas Ad

Holiday News

While this is not related to photography, it is related to art, the subject of copyright, and the current holiday season. To familiarize yourself with Jeff Koons and his iconic balloon dog, here it is:
And, here is an interesting article which illuminates the hypocrisy regarding the artist defending copyright and then infringing on it in another instance (though the court found him not guilty of misappropriation). Inflated Ego? Jeff Koons Claims Exclusive Right to Sell Balloon Dogs

The article spells things out pretty clearly.

I happen to love the Jeff Koons balloon dogs and do think of him now rather than a circus clown blowing up balloons. When you think of it, balloon dogs are public domain, whereas making them into sculptures would be copyrighted art.

For what it's worth, Jeff Koons has designed balloon dog Christmas ornaments ... but, just don't think to buy balloon dog bookends! (Read the story.)

Here is an outlawed balloon dog:

The Christmas Season ...

Irving Penn

Guy Bourdin

Richard Avedon