Peter Lindbergh at work

13 avril 1997
02m 32s
Ref. 00243

Information

Summary :

Fashion photography session with Peter Lindbergh in a painter's studio near Bastille and interview with the German photographer regarding his work.

Media type :
Broadcast date :
13 avril 1997
Source :
A2 (Collection: Midi 2 )
Themes :

Context

Peter Lindbergh is one of the most sought-after fashion photographers. Born in East Germany in 1944, he only discovered photography at the age of 27 years old. He was trained by photographer Hans Lux before beginning his advertising work.

After the first exhibition of fashion photos in 1978 by the magazine Stern that launched him, he travelled throughout the world and photographed the biggest stars of the moment. Between 1996 and 2002 he was given the job of photographer for the famous Pirelli calendar. He also worked for the big names like Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani, Prada, Lancôme and Hugo Boss.

After having promoted an image of sensual and classic femininity, he began to underline the never-ending beauty of faces reflecting a profound truth to life. It was looking through this lens that he published a third book Untitled 116 that contained 116 portraits of women from different backgrounds, from fashion to sport to music and cinema, indexed by their first name from A-Z and accompanied by literary texts and famous paintings.

Peter Lindbergh is globally represented by the agency Filomeno.

Emmanuel Zbinden

Transcription

Daniel Bilalian
On the occasion of the recent fashion shows, we've been able to observe, secretly, the work of the photographers, whose job consists of optimising the appearance of the designs presented and the models who wear them. Then, a photo session will take place for the specialised press, like the prestigious Vogue. And it must be known that these photographers are true stars in this domain. This is the case, as you soon shall see, of Peter Lindberg, a German that we are following during a photo session. Report: Sophie Maisel, Pascal Puego.
Sophie Maisel
A dense eye, filled with emotion, Natalia the Russian offers herself to Peter Lindberg's lens. Photo session in a painter's studio, hidden behind the Bastille. A magic moment. The photographer and his model surrender their bodies to an almost erotic, hypnotic dance. A nuptial dance. There, the picture is in the can.
Peter Lindberg
It's always good to leave them a little bit lost. If we explains ourselves too much. They try to outdo themselves. And we say 2, 3 words, we show a couple pictures, a bit of atmosphere. It's beautiful. And afterwards, they have creative freedom to give something.
Sophie Maisel
Dirty lips, tousled and oily hair, skin darkened with ashes. An atmosphere suggested by touches of impressionism.
[noises]
Sophie Maisel
It doesn't matter if, on the negative, we don't catch the details. The only goal of this ceremony: for the models to feel invested in the role. Today, they are dancing for Pina Bausch, the German choreographer, or, in any case, that's what they're imagining.
(Music)
Sophie Maisel
Peter Lindberg is currently one of the most sought after photographers. His style: natural light, cinema framing often served by black and white.
Peter Lindberg
I am one of the rare fashion photographers who calls himself a fashion photographer, because other fashion photographers, they say: "I'm not a fashion photographer. I'm an artist".
(Music)
Sophie Maisel
In the end, fashion, Peter Lindberg doesn't even worry about it. What interests him: immortalising a certain concept of the woman, breathing an air of mystery.
Daniel Bilalian
In a few...