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19 Rare Photos From The 'Golden Age Of Paparazzi' Exhibit That Prove It Was Always A Dangerous Profession
While the paparazzi are often harshly vilified by the media, celebrities, and onlookers alike, a new photo series exhibit at the Centro Italiano per la Fotografia in Turin presents their controversial work as a unique art form.
The term 'paparazzo' (plural: paparazzi) was introduced to the world via Walter Santesso's role as a persistent news photographer in Federico Fellini's iconic 1960 film, La Dolce Vita. This started both a cultural 'Golden Age' in Italy and a rampant international increase in brazen cameramen invading the personal space of famous people for that perfect, intimate, newsworthy shot. Some popular celebrities were flattered, while others became violent. Artists and photo editors, such as the British Alison Jackson, even resorted to staging 'scandalous' photos of the rich and famous using lookalike actors.
The profession's glory days came to a screeching halt in 1997 when Princess Diana's tragic death in a Paris car crash was blamed by some media outlets on the paparazzi who chased her in a nearby vehicle. Today, the paparazzi face numerous legal restrictions as the catalysts for anti-stalking and harassment bills in many countries, and many are currently under restraining orders.
Whether you love or hate the job, the vintage photos showcased at Arrivano i Paparazzi in Turin provide a nostalgic window into the past, as well as a poignant commentary on the struggle for privacy famous people still face. Scroll down to see our favorite black and white photos, and vote for the ones that made the most impact on you.
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#1
Anita Ekberg Facing The Paparazzi With Bow And Arrows, October 20, 1960
#2
Kate Moss And David Bowie, 2003
Yvonne Bernal 7 years ago
RELAX folks - YES, this is staged because it is one of many pics from a photoshoot of David Bowie and Kate Moss taken by the great Ellen von Unwerth for the October 2003 issue of Q magazine.
#3
Jackie Kennedy Captured By A Celebrity Photographer While Walking Quietly On Madison Avenue In New York. October, 1971
lazy panda 7 years ago
There was a documentary about Jackie on Netflix a while back and apparently, this photographer stalked her to the point where she had to take out a restraining order on him.
#4
Brigitte Bardot Leaves The Hotel Forum. Rome, 1965
#5
Tazio Secchiaroli Flees An Angry Walter Chiari. The Actor At The Time Was In A Relationship With Superstar Ava Gardner And Was Followed Every Step By Paparazzi. Rome, 1957
Agnes Jekyll 7 years ago
Before Paparazzi sued! Chiari has two fists with his name on both of them.
#6
Sofia Loren At Ciampino Airport, Returning From The United States. Rome, November 14th, 1961
just a thought ! 7 years ago
I know she must have not liked this ... But I really like this pic...
#7
Aiché Nanà's Striptease At Rugantino's Restaurant, Rome 1958. Aiché Nanà And Tazio Secchiaroli, Whom Took The Picture, Were Both Fellini's Inspirations For The Film "La Dolce Vita." The Film's Character Paparazzo, Inspired By Secchiaroli, Is The Origin Of The Word Paparazzi
Raquel Leal 7 years ago
The difference between the men and women faces and body language is great!
#8
Don Gussoni Quarrels With Photographer Giacomo Alexis, Rome 1959
#9
Photojournalist Tazio Secchiaroli Hides Armed With His Camera. Rome, 1958
Matthew Hyder 6 years ago
Geez, hiding with an expression like that, he looks like a sleazy peeping tom that should be aware of how shady he is or whatever. :p
#10
Lucien Benedetti And Marina Meucci Stand Against The Photographer. Rome, Circa 1965
#11
Stefania Sandrelli. Rome, Early 60s
#12
Soraya's Arrival At Termini Station Attracts The Attention Of "Assault Photographers"
#13
Anthony Steel Lashes Out Against Photographers. Rome, August 1958
Ok Ha-Neul 7 years ago
he's getting chased and still taking pictures? wow this dude has the dedication of a thousand hungry roaches
#14
Alain Delon And Romy Schneider Dance During The Golden Age Ciak Evening At Brigadoon Restaurant. Rome, July 29, 1961
#16
Marilyn Monroe Lookalike Underessing Before Jfk Impersonator
#17
Patrizia Pellegrino With Her Children Play On The Marina Beach
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What do you think ?
Melissa Nunya 7 years ago
I remember seeing a paparazzi picture of Jennifer Lawrence in a bathing suit. It said some cute headline about her but when you looked at the picture, she looked like she was trying to get away from the photographer and her face is distressed. I couldn't believe they posted it. It was disturbing.
Katinka Min 7 years ago
I don't understand why people want their stars to look horrible, upset, sad etc. The whoe point of a star is to be glamorous and sell a dream, an illusion. And to get these 'candid' pictures paparazzi are absolut c*nts towards the stars, cussing at them, harrassing them, scaring them etc. They rang Amy Winehouses doorbell shouting that one of her friends is dying outside - and then sold a picture of a dishevelled and distraught Amy to the mags. I don't understand why that is legal.
Taryn Wallace 7 years ago
While I agree that a lot of the time they are hounded mercilessly I will say that it is nothing new. Without paparazzi we wouldn't get such gems as the Kardashians or Paris Hiltons who are literally famous for being famous.... unfortunately for them it is a lifestyle choice and they did kinda know what was in store when they signed up for it. I'm not saying it's right unfortunately it is just how it is.
Gayle Bynum Cardosa 7 years ago
Taryn I hope you will see my comment below and perhaps change your opinion a little. People often use that "it's what they signed up for" excuse but that's not a real thing. Nobody signs up for fame. People become actors because they like to act. They don't start because they think they'll become famous. People like the Kardashians enjoy the paps and invite them in which is why they have a show. The rest of them didn't "sign up for" the hounding nor did they sign up for anything else. They chose an artistic profession that has it's ups and downs. It's extremely unfair of people to say that. Most people have a perception of what it's like and they're very much off base. They're not massive a******s doing yoga and eating wheat grass shakes and demanding only yellow M&M's while throwing cell phones at assistants. There are so many stories that are 100% false or half false. People base their thoughts on famous people with no real idea of what they're like and it's not fair.
Load More Replies... Melissa Nunya 7 years ago
I remember seeing a paparazzi picture of Jennifer Lawrence in a bathing suit. It said some cute headline about her but when you looked at the picture, she looked like she was trying to get away from the photographer and her face is distressed. I couldn't believe they posted it. It was disturbing.
Katinka Min 7 years ago
I don't understand why people want their stars to look horrible, upset, sad etc. The whoe point of a star is to be glamorous and sell a dream, an illusion. And to get these 'candid' pictures paparazzi are absolut c*nts towards the stars, cussing at them, harrassing them, scaring them etc. They rang Amy Winehouses doorbell shouting that one of her friends is dying outside - and then sold a picture of a dishevelled and distraught Amy to the mags. I don't understand why that is legal.
Taryn Wallace 7 years ago
While I agree that a lot of the time they are hounded mercilessly I will say that it is nothing new. Without paparazzi we wouldn't get such gems as the Kardashians or Paris Hiltons who are literally famous for being famous.... unfortunately for them it is a lifestyle choice and they did kinda know what was in store when they signed up for it. I'm not saying it's right unfortunately it is just how it is.
Gayle Bynum Cardosa 7 years ago
Taryn I hope you will see my comment below and perhaps change your opinion a little. People often use that "it's what they signed up for" excuse but that's not a real thing. Nobody signs up for fame. People become actors because they like to act. They don't start because they think they'll become famous. People like the Kardashians enjoy the paps and invite them in which is why they have a show. The rest of them didn't "sign up for" the hounding nor did they sign up for anything else. They chose an artistic profession that has it's ups and downs. It's extremely unfair of people to say that. Most people have a perception of what it's like and they're very much off base. They're not massive a******s doing yoga and eating wheat grass shakes and demanding only yellow M&M's while throwing cell phones at assistants. There are so many stories that are 100% false or half false. People base their thoughts on famous people with no real idea of what they're like and it's not fair.
Load More Replies...
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