HELMUT NEWTON

The master at achieving balance between figural and design elements in his images, Newton says: “I have always been excited by discovering ready-made locations”. He always took care to make sure that the background of his photographs always made strong contributions to the images without overpowering the models. The graphic quality of Newton’s photographs, however, involves elements other than clinically perfect sets. His big nude in the salon of a chateau is a marvellous example of this:
“Four days and nights in August with Roselyne in a chateau, which must remain unnamed, in the west of France. The light in the house is strange, it is always very dark, even on the sunniest day...”
Exposing one of her lively breasts, Roselyne’s pose is so confident that it holds the black fabric on her body in a manner calculated to cover only half of her body. She stands in the middle of the detail and sophistication of this room like an orchestral conductor. The style of her hair, the elegance of her dress and high heels enlightens the rest of the image as though she were replacing the light of the fireplace with her own presence.

© Cigdem Mirol