The world of photography is a captivating realm where the interplay of light, shadow, and perspective can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. In the realm of portraiture, the subject's relationship with the camera is pivotal, and few subjects have understood this dynamic as instinctively as Arnold Schwarzenegger. This new TASCHEN monograph, 'Arnold', is a testament to the power of the low angle and the profound impact a photographer's perspective can have on a subject's image. It's a book that not only showcases Schwarzenegger's remarkable journey but also offers a masterclass in the art of photographic collaboration.
What makes 'Arnold' truly fascinating is the way it highlights the symbiotic relationship between the subject and the photographer. Schwarzenegger, from the very beginning, grasped the importance of this collaboration, treating each photo shoot as a competitive endeavor, much like his days on the Mr. Olympia stage. This mindset, combined with his unique physicality and magnetic personality, made him a photographer's dream subject.
The book's editor, Dian Hanson, has curated a collection of images spanning seven decades, providing a comprehensive photographic record of Schwarzenegger's life. From his impoverished childhood in Thal, Austria, to his rise as a bodybuilder, conquest of Hollywood, and eventual tenure as California governor, each phase of his life is captured with a distinct photographic language. The early images, shot on Austrian hillsides, exude a sense of relaxed self-knowledge, as if the young man in blue trunks was fully in tune with the camera's gaze.
The turning point in Schwarzenegger's photographic journey came with the 1977 documentary 'Pumping Iron'. This film introduced him to a new generation of photographers and artists, including Elliott Erwitt, Robert Mapplethorpe, Francesco Scavullo, Jamie Wyeth, Andy Warhol, and Leroy Neiman. Each of these photographers brought their unique style to the table, and the contrast between their approaches is a fascinating study in the subjective nature of portraiture.
One of the most compelling aspects of 'Arnold' is the long professional relationship between Schwarzenegger and Annie Leibovitz. Leibovitz, known for her iconic portraits of US celebrities, found in Schwarzenegger a subject who was game for anything. Her sessions with Schwarzenegger across the decades are some of the book's most compelling material, showcasing the evolution of her style and Schwarzenegger's willingness to collaborate.
What sets 'Arnold' apart from a standard celebrity retrospective is the sense that Schwarzenegger was never a passive subject. He understood the craft of photography and was able to give the photographers what they needed. This is evident in the early images shot on Austrian hillsides, where the subject's relaxed self-knowledge allowed the camera to reveal what the eye might have missed. The low-angle shot, described by Schwarzenegger, is not just a trick of perspective but a recognition of the camera's ability to transform.
The later studio work, particularly the stark black-and-white portraits by Herb Ritts and the monumental images by Sante D'Orazio, demonstrates what happens when an exceptional photographer meets a subject with no inhibitions and no bad angles to avoid. These images are a testament to the power of the low angle and the transformative potential of the camera's gaze.
In my opinion, 'Arnold' is not just a celebrity biography with pictures; it's a genuine record of photographic collaboration across half a century. The range of approaches, from intimate personal snapshots to monumental studio productions, from grainy documentary to the precise glamour of a Mapplethorpe formal study, covers almost every mode of portrait photography. It's a book that invites readers to think about the subjective nature of portraiture and the profound impact a photographer's perspective can have on a subject's image.
This book is a must-have for photography enthusiasts and Schwarzenegger fans alike. It's a testament to the power of the low angle and the transformative potential of the camera's gaze. It's a book that invites readers to think about the subjective nature of portraiture and the profound impact a photographer's perspective can have on a subject's image. Personally, I think it's a masterpiece that will continue to inspire and captivate for generations to come.
