A couple of weeks ago I took the train New York, then hopped on the subway to see the show, Paul McCartney 1963-64: Eyes of the Storm. What could I do … I’m a huge Beatles fan, so there was no doubt I would end up in Brooklyn! I had never been to the Brooklyn Museum of Art before and it couldn’t have been easier. The 2 Train left me off about fifty yards or so from the museum’s entrance. Nice, and once I had the logistics settled I walked a block or two and found a spot for a bagel and cream cheese. All good.
At the entrance to the show a quote from Sir Paul said “I’m not setting out to be seen as a master photographer, more an occasional photographer who happened to be at the right place at the right time. We were just wondering at the world, just excited about all these little things that were making up our lives.” Well, there you have it. So the question is does famous make you good?
It turns out that in 2020 nearly one thousand photographs were “rediscovered” in Paul McCartney’s archive. All were taken with a Pentax 35mm camera he acquired in the fall of 1963. How do I know that? The signage on the wall said so, but what was really wonderful to see for all you gearheads (like me) was Paul’s camera in a glass enclosure, a well-worn black Pentax SV, sporting a 55mm f/2.0 Takumar lens. Yes, all of the pictures were made with one camera and one lens. Almost all the pictures were black and white, Tri-X being his film of choice. And how did I know that? From the contact sheets on display, containing Paul’s markings!
Simple but incredibly effective!
None of the prints of the pictures he made of the other Beatles, George Martin and Brian Epstein, the many fans, the press, and the venues and streets in Paris, New York, Washington, DC and Miami made while touring were cropped. The pictures made in Miami were in color. All were either inkjet or chromogenic prints, the exception being four silver gelatin prints made in the darkroom.
The show was huge and also contained other photographs, including earlier ones of Paul’s family made by his brother Mike, as well as others by photographers such as the great Harry Benson. Included in the show was his famous 1964 picture of the Beatles having a pillow fight in their Paris hotel room.
So back to my question. Does famous make you good?
In short, not in the case of Paul McCartney. He didn’t need to be a member of arguably the greatest rock and roll band ever to deserve a show in a topflight museum. In fact, I really think Paul could have had a pretty wonderful photographic career if that’s what he chose to do … but I’m sure glad he didn’t!
I don’t know if McCartney is a “genius”, but I do know he is an incredible and talented “creative”, who at age 82 shows no sign of slowing down. One of those that can do it all and do it all well. He’s a singer, songwriter, musician, author, painter … and yes a fine photographer! Frustrating for those that are prone to jealousy? Yes. Inspiring for those that aspire to be creative in their lives? Yes!
The Brooklyn show ended on August 18th, but if you live in the US you can catch it in September through mid-January 2025 at the Portland Museum of Art and the De Young Museum in San Francisco beginning in March.
Stay well,
Michael
Thing that “famous doesn’t make one good,” is pretty much right. And this leads to another idea that was at once current in my photography circle, one that is hard to define but which we called “photographic,” That good photos had a certain quality that had something to do with an essence. Of photography. And it is this idea that I’m now pondering. Good photography doesn’t have to WOW. But maybe it should somehow get under one’s skin. Something like that.
Thanks Paul. You’re right!
Best,
Michael