Seeing photographers portrayed on film is always fascinating to other photographers. In many ways it’s an endorsement of how interesting our profession can be, as well as how the job can lead to challenging and sometimes even bizarre adventures.
With the recent release of Civil War, and the soon to be released film Lee (about the model turned war photojournalist Lee Miller) we thought it was time to review some of the more intriguing films that have used photographers as their central story line.
We have included the source you can currently stream the film, and the Rotten Tomatoes (RT) rating, which is fairly similar to how we feel about these films’ quality – though perhaps we’d add another 10% to the rating because we are biased in our interest towards photographers. These are our Top 10 films to see – in no particular order.
fashion photographer who is played by David Hemmings, whose character was inspired by David Bailey.
Blow Up / 1966 / Amazon Prime / RT - 87%
If you ever wondered why some fashion photographers attempt to have an enigmatic air about them, you can probably blame this movie.
Blow Up is the story of a slightly aloof, devil-may-care London photographer’s strange week. Between shooting a personal project and bullishly trying to meet his fashion work commitments, Thomas also just happens to make some photos in a park, only to realise later that he has photographed a murder.
Italian Director Michaelangelo Antonioni wrote and directed this 'art film' and many people still consider Blow Up to be one of the quintessential films from the 1960’s.
The difference is shooting someone with a
camera ensures they 'live forever' (on film).
The Bang Bang Club / 2012 / Apple TV, Google Play / RT - 49%
The Bang Bang Club tells the true story of South African photojournalists, Kevin Carter, Greg Marinovich, Ken Oosterbroek, and João Silva who covered their country’s bloody revolution from apartheid to democracy in the early 1990s.
While revealing the competition and camaraderie between the photographers, it also highlights the dangers journalists can face when telling stories about their own people in a time of civil war, particularly when two sides are questioning who the media is working for.
The Bang Bang Club also asks the difficult question of photographers - at what point do you put down the camera and help those suffering in front of you?
Minamata / 2020 / Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Netflix / RT - 78%
Photography is at its most powerful when describing the injustices of our world - the wars, the famines, the cruelties of mankind. For the people of Minamata Japan though, W. Eugene Smith’s photos were central to revealing decades worth of methylmercury poisoning by the Chisso chemical company and its terrible effects on their community.
Johnny Depp gives a convincing performance as Smith, the renowned Magnum photographer worn down by wars, whisky and debt. Minamata is a confronting look at what people often endure at the hands of powerful corporations, and it reminds us that emotive documentary photography can make a difference.
We’ll Take Manhattan / 2012 / Amazon Prime / RT - 50%
Gen Z’ers might dream of changing society, but if you want to see real seismic generational change, go back to 1960. Two years before the Beatles were a thing, and photographers were still shooting fashion on large format in studios, a young David Bailey joins Vogue magazine and starts challenging the establishment’s views on fashion and the world.
Using a 35mm Pentax and an unknown Jean Shrimpton, Bailey shoots an editorial feature in New York while being constantly harangued by an art director. While not revealing anything new to us about photography, it is a reasonable story about how change is never easy, particularly when it comes to new ways of seeing other’s work. (Tip - watch to the end).
Mapplethorpe / 2018 / Amazon Prime, Apple TV / RT - 34%
Robert Mapplethorpe was a very successful and yet an incredibly controversial photographer; so how did he get from being a broke artist and wannabe, modern day Michelangelo to hanging well-hung penises on some of the world’s most famous gallery walls?
This biopic reveals how Mapplethorpe (played by former Dr Who, Matt Smith) used luck, raw talent and some really big business balls to turn what otherwise would have been pornography into some of the most collectable fine art photography of the 20th century.
The film also covers his early relationship with singer Patti Smith, his difficult relationship with his very Catholic family and his untimely death at just 42-year of age. While the acting is rather predictable, the use of Mapplethorpe’s actual fine art images throughout the movie make this a good watch.
as a desperate sleazy war photographer.
Salvador / 1986 / Prime Video, Apple TV / RT - 90%
Life is difficult when all you know what to do is photograph war.
Having survived Vietnam, Cambodia, Ireland and Lebanon, down-and-out fast-talking sleazy scuzbag Richard Doyle (played by James Woods) decides to make a road trip with his stoner mate, Dr Rock (Jim Belushi) in the hope of picking up photo work in the world’s latest trouble spot, El Salvador.
Relying on friends for money and film, Boyle soon discovers how dangerous and politically complicated the situation is. Soon he’s over-his-head trying to survive. The real Richard Doyle along with his friend, Oliver Stone were nominated for an Academy Award for their screenplay of this film, while James Wood was nominated for best actor. (A must see –TL)
Dennis Stock and actor James Dean.
Life / 2014 / Apple TV / RT - 64%
Dutch photographer Anton Corbijn is famous for his portraits of celebrities, but he is also an accomplished film director.
His 2015 film Life, tells the story of another photographer, a 27-year-old Dennis Stockton who is trying to get his first photo-essay in Life magazine. Having met a new actor and sensing he might be the next ‘big thing’, Stockton convinces his agent to let him shoot a story on James Dean.
The film, based on true events, goes on to reveal Stockton’s struggles with the actor. There are some enjoyable moments in this film, including a red carpet scene where the photographers are all lugging Speed Graphic cameras and popping bulbs (how easy do we have it nowadays!). Stockton’s actual photos of Dean feature at the end of the movie.
the 1947 film of the same name.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty 2013 / Disney + / RT - 52%
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a whimsical ode to Life magazine.
As staff are being laid off, shy negative asset manager Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) leaves the office in search of photographer Sean O’Connell (Sean Penn) who might have the cover for the Life’s final edition.
This film is not about photography, but rather, the adventure of photography; Mitty travels through exotic locales, always a day or two behind O’Connell but at the same time experiencing the joys of life most seasoned photographers take for granted.
(For me, this film is personal; I had work accepted for Life in 1999, only to have the magazine renege on the deal a day later when they couldn’t afford the agreed fee. The magazine closed soon afterwards).
film is more fairytale than biopic.
Fur - An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus / 2006 / Apple TV / RT - 33%
I was ecstatic when I discovered a film was being made about Diane Arbus; then I heard it was a work of fantasy, and it starred Nicole Kidman.
Arbus took us down some amazing rabbit holes with her incredible documentary photography, but the rabbit hole director Steven Shainberg takes us down in Fur is not much more than a fairytale in which Arbus lends her name to a character.
Truth be known though, Arbus’s estate denied the use of any of her images in the film, which leaves you wondering if other attempts at telling Diane’s biopic hit the same hurdle.
What does make this film worthwhile is Robert Downey Jnr who does not disappoint in his revealing character, Lionel. Hopefully we see a decent film about Arbus another day.
feel good movie for photographers?
Pecker / 1998 / Apple TV, Amazon Prime / RT - 52%
Pecker is a ridiculous B grade movie about a Baltimore teenager who loves photographing his friends and family.
A gallery owner sees his work, he gets an exhibition in New York, media exposure, trouble with the locals and eventually the “local boy makes good” happy ending.
The humour is National Lampoon-ish, but there are a few fun digs to the real photo art world (my favourite - “What they call art up in New York, young man, looks like just plain misery to me”).
Cindy Sherman appears as herself but the most ridiculous thing about the film, is how Pecker can just keep shooting photos without ever reloading a film!
Worthy mentions
Proof / 1991 / Apple TV / RT - 94%
Shot in Sydney, Hugo Weaving plays a blind photographer who uses a camera to help ‘describe’ the world around him – with help from a very young Russell Crowe.
Make sure you see the behind the scenes documentary Hearts of Darkness to witness how crazy he really was.
Apocalypse Now / 1979 / RT - 97%
Rumour has it that Dennis Hopper’s acid-munching existential photojournalist was based on UK/Australian photojournalist Tim Page. “The horror… the horror…”
The Midnight Meat Train / 2008 / Apple TV, Prime Video / RT - 71%
Based on a novel by horror master Clive Barker of Hellraiser fame, Bradley Cooper plays a street photographer in this dark horror film about photography, trains, and meat!
who is either crazy, sleazy or just a run-of-the-mill psychopath.
One Hour Photo / 2002 / Prime Video / RT - 81%
In his creepiest role ever, Robin Williams plays a one-hour film-lab manager who cares about your photos for all the wrong reasons. Thank goodness we’ve gone digital.
Double Exposure: The story of Margaret Bourke-White / 1989 / Youtube / No Rating
Despite featuring some basic acting by Farrah Fawcett, this made for TV, low budget movie is a reasonable telling of Bourke-White’s life. Could make for a big budget remake in the future.
Kodachrome / 2017 / Netflix / RT - 72%
A laid-back son joins his super-grouchy famous photographer father (Ed Harris) on an emotive road trip to get his last rolls of film processed at the last Kodachrome lab.
We just don't recommend Austin Powers as being your role model.
Austin Powers - International Man of Mystery / 1997 / Prime Video / RT - 73%
Probably not the best career to hide the fact you are a spy. A very funny film that sees Austin using unique, pre-#MeToo banter to encourage his models to work harder “you’re an animal baby yeah!”
The Bridges of Madison County / 1995 / Prime Video / RT - 90%
Clint Eastwood shoots with Nikons instead of 44 Magnums. He stars as a photojournalist whose worldly charm sways a married yet discontent farmwife (Meryl Streep) in this romantic drama which was a box-office hit.
The Rear Window / 1954 / Prime video / RT - 98%
A suspenseful Alfred Hitchcock murder mystery featuring James Stewart as a neighbourhood busybody & photographer.
The Public Eye / 1992 / RT - 61%
A film loosely based on the life of Arthur Fellig, the 1940’s NY crime photographer nicknamed “Weegee”. (A must see – Editor)
Best 10 Documentary Films about Photographers
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed / 2023 / Apple TV / RT - 95%
Explores Nan Goldin’s work and activism, holding the Sackler family accountable for the opioid crisis.
The Way I See It / 2020 / YouTube, Prime Video / RT - 84%
Explores the work of Pete Souza and his time as Whitehouse photographer to Reagan and Obama.
see for street photographers
Finding Vivian Maier / 2013 / Prime Video / RT - 95%
Perhaps the best street photographer of her era, Vivian Maier’s huge body of work was found in an attic after her death.
The Salt of the Earth / 2014 / Prime Video / RT - 94%
A deep look at some of the darkest corners of the world through the lens of Sebastião Salgado.
McCullin / 2012 / Prime Video / RT – 100%
McCullin was one of the world’s best war photographers; he is honest about its toll on his life.
Bill Cunningham: New York / 2010 / Prime Video / RT - 99%
Renowned icon of the New York, Bill Cunningham has chronicled fashion for more than 60 years.
Annie Leibowitz: Life Through a Lens / 2008 / RT - No rating.
Annie is Famous for hundreds of celebrity portraits (including the Queen), an interesting doco.
Martha: A Picture Story / 2019 / Apple TV / RT - 100%
A National Geographic intern turned NY Post photographer, Martha Cooper tells her story.
In No Great Hurry: 13 lessons, Saul Leiter / 2013 / Apple TV, Amazon Prime / RT - 94%
Saul Leiter’s street photography is a celebration of colour and mood. Well worth a watch.
Uncropped / 2023 / Available soon / RT - 89%
Featuring the story of photographer James Hamilton who shot for over four decades for publications such as Harpers Bazaar, New York Observer and The Village Voice – chronicling the lives of famous artists and musicians in New York City. ■
