Joshua Rivera
Updated on: October 13, 2024 6:23 pm GMT
Famed photographer Jonathan Becker has captured life’s most celebrated figures over the past five decades, and his latest book, *Lost Time*, provides an extraordinary glimpse into this enchanting world. From Hollywood’s brightest stars to influential political figures, Becker’s lens has chronicled personalities and moments that reflect a bygone era, one where “the Kardashians would be laughed off the planet.”
A Journey Through Stardom
Becker’s path in photography began in the vibrant streets of New York City, where his career blossomed alongside icons. His extensive portfolio features renowned personalities such as Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Madonna, and David Bowie. Each image tells a story, highlighting not just their celebrity status but the essence of who they were at that moment.
Diving into the pages of *Lost Time*, readers can find Becker’s hauntingly beautiful depictions of:
- Tom Cruise observing an informal moment with then-wife Nicole Kidman at the Vanity Fair Oscars party in 2000, where Becker sensed Cruise’s annoyance as Kidman enjoyed herself with a cigarette.
- Harvey Weinstein lurking behind actress Léa Seydoux, shot in 2015, providing a snapshot of a tense era in Hollywood.
- Madonna glowing in laughter during a 1990 event, showcasing the pop icon’s irresistible charm at the peak of her fame.
- A solemn Robert Mapplethorpe in the year before his death, capturing the weight of a devastating plague on New York’s artistic community.
Each photograph is not merely a visual representation; it’s a time capsule that evokes a strong sense of nostalgia for a world that Becker believes is now “lost.”
Reflections on a Changing World
As Becker reviews his work, he notes the passage of time and its transformative effects on culture and celebrity. “When I was a kid, there was no doubt it was the greatest city in the world. Frank Sinatra was singing about it. It was really the capital,” he reflects. Today, he feels that charm has faded, overshadowed by a focus on different kinds of fame.
In his book, Becker explores the shift in societal values, particularly around fame and celebrity culture. He expresses a sense of longing for a time when intellectual figures like Jackie Kennedy and literary greats held more sway than reality TV stars. This sentiment resonates throughout the pages of *Lost Time* as Becker captures the grace and gravitas that once defined high society.
Notable Moments with Influential Figures
Becker’s relationships with subjects often colored his photographs with deeper meanings. He recounts an instance with André Leon Talley, the late Vogue creative director. The two shared an endearing friendship, and Becker recalled Talley playfully urging him to engage more with a shoot he found mundane. “I loved André,” Becker said with emotions still raw from the memory.
He also reflects on other complex subjects, like Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the controversial physician known for his stance on assisted suicide. Becker’s portrait of him reveals not just the man’s legacy of defiance but also a haunting glimpse into his psyche. “It was one of these pictures that really made an impact,” Becker remembers.
Capturing the Essence of Fame
Despite the glitter and glamor of celebrity, Becker focuses on authenticity. He notes that his role as a photographer extends beyond visual representation; it involves extracting genuine character. “What I like to do is to extract character and let them do their own theatre,” he states. This philosophy is evident in the candid shots featured in *Lost Time*, where the personalities emerge as multifaceted individuals rather than just famous faces.
His candidness doesn’t exclude any subjects, including more polarizing figures. For example, he describes Melania Trump as quiet and possessing a sense of humor, while Donald Trump exudes a “narcissistic charm,” highlighting the duality of his personality without glossing over their complexities.
The Impact of Time
As Becker navigates through his memories and captures in *Lost Time*, he also acknowledges the weight of change over the passing decades, especially during interviews with now-iconic figures when they were less established. His photographs are a testament to those fleeting moments—an exploration of celebrity that focuses on genuine human experiences rather than idealized public personas.
“Here was a time when intellectuals had more status than movie stars or socialites,” he muses, reflecting on the societal shift that has led to different benchmarks for celebrity status today.
Conclusion: Documenting a Vanishing Era
Becker’s *Lost Time* serves as a poignant reminder of an era rich in diverse characters and compelling stories. Through his extraordinary photographs, he captures not just the icons but also the fleeting moments that defined their lives and the cultural landscape of a time that feels both familiar and distant. As he says, the more he looks at his work, “the more I realize this is a lost time.”
If you love the mix of art and people in photography, you really should check out Becker’s work. It celebrates a lively past and encourages everyone to think about what has changed and what still captures our hearts.
