Photographer Helmut Newton Killed in Crash

AP/Star-Telegram ^ | 1-23-04 | breznican

[wardaddy]

LOS ANGELES - Acclaimed fashion photographer Helmut Newton died Friday after his car sped out of control from the driveway of the famed Chateau Marmont hotel and crashed into a wall, police said. He was 83.

Newton, whose work appeared in magazines such as Playboy, Elle and Vogue, was best known for his stark, black-and-white nude photos of women.

Newton apparently lost control of his Cadillac while leaving the Hollywood hotel, said Officer April Harding, a police spokeswoman. It was unclear whether he became ill while driving.

People were on the sidewalk in front of the driveway, and the car brushed a photographer heading into the hotel before crashing into the wall.

Newton was taken by ambulance to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he died a short time later, Harding said.

Newton was a trailblazer in the fashion photography world, exploring power, gender roles and an icy sexuality in his pictures.

His trademark "Big Nudes" series featured larger-than-life, black-and-white images of women that portray them as dominating the camera rather than as subjects.

Among the beautiful and powerful people Newton has photographed were Paloma Picasso, Pierre Cardin, Naomi Campbell, Jean-Marie Le Pen and Claudia Schiffer.

While Newton also photographed clothed celebrities and nature scenes, he favored photographing women, usually while they wore little more than high heels.

[wardaddy]

It's not possible to get up a lot of speed leaving the Marmont if I remember correctly, I would venture he had an ominous vascular event.

I enjoyed some of his work and found some of his perspective interesting.

Flame away at will.

(RIP)

[martin_fierro]

He should've worn a ... helmet.

(sorry)

[BOBTHENAILER]

While Newton also photographed clothed celebrities and nature scenes, he favored photographing women, usually while they wore little more than high heels.

His liberal a$$ will be sorely missed.

[CougarGA7]

Maybe he was testing Newton's laws of physics.

(I'm sorry too.)

[Paleo Conservative]

Given his tastes as a photographer, this one would be appropriate.

[wardaddy]

actually rather funny Martin.

I just always had a thing for his gun-metal shaded shots of those women with legs going on forever and the stilletos.

Excellent eye.

I always considered his work fairly tasteful erotica quite unlike say Mapplethorpe, although I'm sure he has something out there I might have found offensive or disturbing.

I would be curious how FR's photo pros view his works.

His work was sort of Teutonic Erotica....ironic given he was German Jewish...or maybe not so ironic actually.

[Paleo Conservative]

He should've worn a ... helmet.

(sorry)

See post #5

[wardaddy]

I confess ignorance of his politics Bob. I guess we can only do obits on Pubs and Libertines.

He was certainly not beloved by fembots.

[wardaddy]

LOL....man...nice wit so far on an obit.

[Howlin]

[68skylark]

No flames from me. I've greatly admired his work in the past -- sometimes a little Teutonic for my tastes, but overall wonderfull photos. I'm sorry to read this, but glad you posted the news.

[socal_parrot]

Very few of Mr. Newton's photos can be posted here. This is one of them, featuring Raquel Welch.

Down Boy!

[Paleo Conservative]

sometimes a little Teutonic for my tastes, but overall wonderfull photos

But the pitcture of the semi-nude with a saddle on her back is a bit over the top.

Warning don't follow this link if you think you will be offended.

[Squantos]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!

Damn !

[wardaddy]

yeah me too....my wife and I were just talking about him recently when Scavullo died and were debating buying a coffee table book but wondered how we'd keep our ever curious wee boy's noses out of it.

[Mr. Mojo]

It's not possible to get up a lot of speed leaving the Marmont if I remember correctly

Unless you're talking about coke, you're correct. In high school I worked for a pharmacy delivering drugs all over West Side, and the Marmont was a frequent stop of mine. Delivered plenty of valium to has-been Hollywood-types in that hotel, most of them women. Wild place.

[wardaddy]

It's ironic Howlin how the fembots despised him yet his photography usually portrayed women as rather strong in physical form and perspective even if not overly clothed.

[I got the rope]

I've never heard of him until now. I just didn't think photography was a very manly profession I guess. I really like this picture for some reason.

[wardaddy]

I stayed there a few times in the 80s on business and don't recall an exit where one could gather speed although parts of it are on a slope. I think something happened.

[Mr. Mojo]

Probably mistook the gas for the brake, hit a wall going about 25 mph, and had a coronary.

I enjoyed his work.