The big picture show
Amateur Photographer|December 21, 2019
Actor Jeff Bridges has been shooting on-set photographs for decades. Steve Fairclough spoke to him about his new book and his passion for photography
Steve Fairclough
The big picture show

For almost 50 years moviestar Jeff Bridges has been at the top of his profession, garnering seven Academy Award nominations and winning the 2009 Best Actor Oscar for his performance as an ageing country singer in Crazy Heart. Yet throughout much of this period Bridges has also been pursuing his passion for photography by shooting on-set pictures with his beloved 35mm Widelux F8 panoramic camera.

The second book of Bridges’ on-set photography was published in October 2019 and it spans films he has made since 2003 – the likes of Seabiscuit, Iron Man, Tron: Legacy, True Grit, Hell or High Water and Crazy Heart.

Jeff Bridges: Pictures, Volume 2 features dozens of his images, which range from true candids to posed tragedia/comedia pictures, where the long shutter span of the camera allows the subject to go from one side of the frame to the other to pull two different faces.

Bridges’ ongoing fascination with shooting on-set images was sparked by his co-star Karen Allen on the set of the 1984 movie Starman. She suggested to him to combine the images he’d been shooting with those of unit photographer Sid Baldwin into a photo book for the cast and crew of the movie… and that’s exactly what he did. Now, over 30 years later, he’s still doing it.

Teenage interest in photography

His initial interest in photography dates back to his teenage years, ‘When I was about 15 or so I kind of took my father’s 35mm Nikon camera and would shoot pictures of my friends and so forth. I made a little darkroom in my bathroom, got an enlarger and did all that kind of stuff. So I got into it around that age.’

Esta historia es de la edición December 21, 2019 de Amateur Photographer.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición December 21, 2019 de Amateur Photographer.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERVer todo
Calling The Shots: A Queer History of Photography
Amateur Photographer

Calling The Shots: A Queer History of Photography

Offering an unprecedented view of photographic history through a queer lens, this is a wonderful and powerful book, says

time-read
1 min  |
November 26, 2024
Large-aperture standard zoom, too
Amateur Photographer

Large-aperture standard zoom, too

SONY has also revealed a new premium standard zoom, the FE 28-70mm F2 GM.

time-read
1 min  |
November 26, 2024
Super-fast, high-res Sony Alpha Ai II
Amateur Photographer

Super-fast, high-res Sony Alpha Ai II

SONY has announced its new professional full-frame flagship camera, the Alpha A1 II.

time-read
1 min  |
November 26, 2024
39 awesome accessories
Amateur Photographer

39 awesome accessories

Our round-up of the best accessories we've used and reviewed this year, along with some old favourites. There's something here for every budget, starting from just £7, including tripods, bags, filters and much more

time-read
10+ minutos  |
November 26, 2024
Such a thing as society
Amateur Photographer

Such a thing as society

This autumn sees the launch of a major new book and exhibition devoted to examining the multiplicities of photography during 1980s Britain. Peter Dench finds out more

time-read
6 minutos  |
November 26, 2024
Join Club
Amateur Photographer

Join Club

The sociable Canvey Island Photographic Club is keen to grow its in-person meet ups

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 26, 2024
Capturing flight
Amateur Photographer

Capturing flight

Winners and finalists of Bird Photographer of the Year share their tips for success with Hollie Latham Hucker

time-read
10 minutos  |
November 26, 2024
140 years of change
Amateur Photographer

140 years of change

AP has become the world’s oldest surviving consumer photo magazine because we have moved with the times, says Nigel Atherton

time-read
2 minutos  |
September 24, 2024
Preserving history in platinum
Amateur Photographer

Preserving history in platinum

A deep dive into the meticulous art of platinum printing, and the collaboration between the Royal Geographical Society and Salto Ulbeek. Mike Crawford explores how they brought historical photographs to life with enduring beauty and precision

time-read
7 minutos  |
September 24, 2024
Life in the past lane
Amateur Photographer

Life in the past lane

What was life like for an amateur photographer in 1884? John Wade takes a trip back in time

time-read
3 minutos  |
September 24, 2024