Helmut Newton

Helmut Newton was a German-Austrialian photographer. He was a "prolific, widely imitated fashion photographer whose provocative, erotically charged black-and-white photos were a mainstay of Vogue and other publications." Newton's reputation as a photographer grew in the 1950's. Many a time he worked for Vogue, producing iconmic black and white photographs. Newton is well known his nudity of women within his photography, suggesting a downgrading version of a woman to a man - an appropriate link to The Great Gatsby.

Photographer Helmut Newton

Newton is an interesting photographer for me to look at as inspiration because of his black and white iconic images. When looking at creating a portrait image of Myrtle, his work would be one of the most appropriate to reference when considering the style he works in. The inspiration for women back in those era's are just what I need to think about, not only for the composition of photography, but also the idea of styling, makeup and hair. His work is known to be quite provocative, suggesting the idea of sex and a woman. This is also another interesting concept for me to look at because Myrtle is used by Tom as a mistress, for sex and as a toy. The reference to some of Newton's work links with the idea of Myrtle and her seductive, sexual character (that Tom thinks she is).

"My job as a portrait photographer is to seduce, 

amuse and entertain"

- Helmut Newton