There are some rare moments when we get exclusive glimpses into the world of famous faces. Magnum photographer David Hurn has released a set of breathtaking unseen photos of celebrities the 60s.
Photographs of the world´s most famous rock band, taken at the height of “Beatlemania”, provides an informal portrait of the Beatles making their first film, “A Hard Day´s Night”. David Hurn spent several weeks on-set, recording the filming process, and documenting the Beatles at work.
What Hurn has captured in his photos over 50 years ago is magical. Behind the scenes images of the Fab four, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, on set portraying a day and a half in the life of the Beatles. The plot of the film portrays the Fab four travelling by train from Liverpool to London for a television performance. Screaming female fans, rehearsals, a press conference, and being stuck inside your hotel room accurately portrays their life. While the film portrays the Fab four in a way we would all like to imagine them, Hurn´s photos show us what it was really like when all the other cameras were turned off. And it is very interesting indeed.
These photos have never been publically released as they were part of Hurn´s private collection up until the recent release of his book: The 1960´s Photographed by David Hurn. The photos in this magnificent book are an opportunity to re-live and experience an inside view of the Beatles at work at the height of their career, something that a privileged few enjoyed.
Hurn explains why it was near impossible to get a photo of all four Beatles in the same shot, whereby the shot was not constructed or directed and their faces were easily recognisable. And the reason is not what you might first think. Remembering that he spent several weeks with the Beatles on set, his answer gives a truth many may not have been able to guess or know.
He did manage to get just one shot of the four Beatles casually sitting around a piano, not talking or engaging with each other, just reading the script. His comment as a result of getting this photo is striking.
The beauty in this photographic collection is that the photographs link the Beatles to our memories of what they are famous for, and that will always be interesting to people.
Hurn´s book also features more rare, unseen photos of other famous celebrities from the 1960´s. And as with every photo, there is a good story. Hurn reveals why Sean Connery is famously branding a Walther air pistol instead of his trademark Walther PPK in the James Bond iconic poster, To Russia with Love. Sean Connery and seven young models were at Hurn’s studio in the shadows of Chelsea football ground for the photoshoot, and one vital prop was missing. There wasn´t enough time to drive all the way back to London. Before the situation escalated into madness, Hurn calmly provided a solution that was ingenious. The photoshoot went ahead as planned and all was fine…until the posters were published and there was no hiding from the blunder that was on display for all to see.
David Hurn captured the heyday of the immortal 60´s, where groupies, drugs, and rock and roll combined in a never to be repeated era. There were wild parties, a sense of freedom and eternal youth. He shares with you a unique inside view of what it was like to be a part of the 1960´s celebrity world. As Hurn recently said: “Photography has never been for me a box of preciousness under the bed. Pictures need to be seen and in any form possible. The more the better. The 60’s were fun to be a part of but not only the celebrity culture but all the other things happening at that time. The Hammersmith Palais where thousands hoped to find some sort of companionship, Queen Charlottes Ball that was frankly incredulous, Churchill’s funeral which was moving, Aberfan which was obscene and of course travel abroad, it was the 60’s there as well.”
In the YouPic interview, Hurn also provides advice for photographers, most notably to wear good shoes. He also says that photography is made up of two core elements: where you stand and when you press the shutter.
Click on this video link to see more photos and a remarkable interview with photographer David Hurn:
BOOK
The 1960s – David Hurn
Reel Art Press
Hardback; 192pp; 240 colour and b/w photographs
290 x 245 mm / 11.4 x 10 in.
ISBN: 978-1-909526-13-6
£29.95 / $49.95;
Also available in three limited edition versions: A Hard Day’s Night, From Russia With Love and Barbarella.
Each edition is limited to 50 signed and numbered copies only. Each edition includes a limited edition, numbered silver gelatin photograph of either A Hard Day’s Night, From Russia With Love or Barbarella, signed by David Hurn, exclusive to the edition. Each book is also numbered and signed by David Hurn.
http://www.reelartpress.com
https://youpic.com
Create an account or log in to read more and see all pictures.
