David Seymour Richard Avedon advising Fred Astaire on his role as a photographer. Tuileries Gardens, Paris, France. 1956.
“This charming photo shows legendary fashion photographer Richard Avedon and Hollywood s
(...) uperstar dancer Fred Astaire. They are both hiding from the rain and behind a large-format camera with playful smiles and practiced poses, all captured by Magnum’s co-founder, David ‘Chim’ Seymour. The three men were in Paris with Audrey Hepburn for the making of the film Funny Face, which earned four Academy Award nominations.
Avedon’s obituary in the The New York Times states that his ‘fashion and portrait photographs helped define America's image of style, beauty and culture for the last half-century.’ Astaire’s obituary noted that his ‘flashing feet and limber legs not only made him America's most popular dancer but also set standards for motion picture musical comedies that have rarely been met and never exceeded.’
Photographers often hide behind their cameras, but rarely do they allow themselves to be photographed in their secretive mode of work. Chim’s personal engagement with these two fabled stars enabled him to record this delightful encounter, which mocks the idea of hiding behind a camera.”
-- Ben Shneiderman, David Seymour’s nephew (www.davidseymour.com) © David Seymour | Magnum Photos