| Some people say that the golden age of Hollywood | | | | with Hollywood being ground zero. But your favourite |
| was during the 1940s and 50s, while others like to go | | | | movie star photos are not limited to the static studio |
| back even earlier and others still place it in the 70s. | | | | poses nor the often embarrassing angles brought |
| The truth is that Hollywood cranks out golden ages | | | | home by the paparazzi. There is another option. |
| each decade with new innovations and new stars. | | | | Out there on the red carpet are a few photographers |
| The only constant within Hollywood comes in the form | | | | that would throw their camera at you if you called |
| of celebrity and the public desire to know that celebrity. | | | | them paparazzi. These photographers combine the |
| The 30s faced the Talkies and the growth of the | | | | best of both worlds, the live "in the moment" feel of |
| studio system; the 40s saw the beginnings of Film Noir; | | | | the red carpet with the soul searching intimacy of the |
| in the 50s epic films came into fashion while Hollywood | | | | best studio photograph. |
| met the competition of television. The Hollywood studio | | | | These photographers actually look through the |
| system as it had been known ended in the 60s and | | | | viewfinder of their cameras, searching and waiting for |
| the era of underground, independent cinema was born. | | | | those perfect moments that create the best movie |
| Some have called the 70s "the last golden age" with | | | | star photos. The average red carpet event might bring |
| the American "new wave," but it was also the decade | | | | to mind the shock and awe of flashes going off all |
| given credit for the "blockbuster" film. Teen-oriented | | | | around at digital speed, but deep inside the pack of |
| films were king (and queen) during the 80s which also | | | | buzzing insects wait the artists. |
| saw the birth of the sequel. | | | | In the world of the red carpet, great movie star photos |
| Finally the 90s watched as computer-generated films | | | | are created not simply snapped. It is in these moments |
| took the stage at the same time "indie" cinema | | | | that the movie star fan glimpses the truth, a small truth |
| became a household word. The 90s also witnessed | | | | about their favourite star or a new angle they had |
| the increase of remakes, re-releases and even more | | | | never seen before. The stars are people too, |
| sequels as Hollywood fought for its piece of the newly | | | | something the true fan never forgets and always |
| created digital pie. | | | | wants to see. |
| Throughout all these decades the constant was the | | | | The moments are fleeting, like life itself and each |
| image, those movie star photos that we know and | | | | moment tells a story. The digital camera has made the |
| love. And just as film styles changed over the | | | | point and shoot the order of the day. Take lots of |
| decades, the movie still also evolved. The perfect | | | | photos and sort them out later. But to truly capture the |
| poses of the 30s, 40s and 50s faced the turbulent | | | | essence of an actor on the red carpet requires an |
| 60s, 70s and 80s and the birth of the hated and loved; | | | | artists eye and a hunters patience. |
| paparazzi. | | | | Celebrity photos continue to dominate the media. The |
| The "buzzing insects" or paparazzi were introduced to | | | | current aim of celebrity photography unfortunately |
| the American public by Time magazine during an | | | | leans more and more towards the exploitive, |
| article about the film "La Vita Dolce" by Fellini in 1960. | | | | paparazzi style that flatters few and gives little insight |
| These flash firing freelancers were stalking | | | | to the actors person. Movie star photos that show us |
| incriminating movie star photos and have only grown in | | | | the person behind the star are few, but do exist and |
| numbers since then. | | | | will continue to as long as there are fans that want to |
| One of the favourite gathering spots for paparazzi are | | | | know a little more about their favourite stars. |
| the many red carpet events in and around the world | | | | |