It's been raining and snowing most of the week and 25° F. Not much good for looking for subjects.
Here is Paul Theroux taken in London, England in the mid-seventies. I've never been drawn to photographing writers in front of books, ink stands, typewriters or computers. Some have done it beautifully, notably Helmut Newton with his picture of Robert Hughes. When I try, or am asked to try, it looks a muddle. In front of books, there is too much contrast and your eyes whirl around the shelves.
Mr. Theroux was not forthcoming with me, which was rather disappointing because I very much like his stories and would have enjoyed hearing one, or a segment of one, first hand. He was not much interested in my life. It didn't matter. Generally I do like to find some common ground with subjects but this time we just looked at each other and went our ways.
From reading his non-fiction, I get the impression that Theroux seeks out freakish people that he can lampoon in his books. That he didn't seem interested in you should be taken as a compliment.
ReplyDeleteI like his writing too, but the more I read about the man, the less I like him.
Theroux looks sexy and friendly in this photo.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing what the camera can do!
It is truly one of my favorites.