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Autoportrait

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Personnalité marquante de la photographe du vingtième siècle, Helmut Newton livre son enfance protégée dans l'Allemagne d'avant le nazisme, la découverte précoce du sexe puis de la photographie, la fuite vers l'Asie en 1938, la guerre, les femmes, l'amour, et l'invention d'une nouvelle expression artistique. De nombreuses photographies illustrent le récit du parcours créatif de l'auteur.

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First published January 1, 2002

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About the author

Helmut Newton

101 books50 followers
Helmut Newton, born Helmut Neustädter was a German-Australian fashion photographer noted for his nude studies of women.

Born to a German-Jewish button-factory owner and an American mother, Newton attended the Heinrich-von-Treitschke-Realgymnasium and the American School in Berlin. Interested in photography from the age of twelve when he purchased his first camera, he worked for the German photographer Yva (Else Neulander Simon) from 1936. The increasingly oppressive restrictions placed on Jews by the Nuremberg laws meant that his father lost control of the factory in which he manufactured buttons and buckles; he was even briefly interned in a concentration camp. ‘Kristallnacht’ on 9 November 1938 compelled the family to leave Germany.

Newton's parents fled to Chile. He was issued with a passport just after turning 18, and left Germany on 5 December 1938. At Trieste he boarded the 'Conte Rosso' (along with about two hundred others escaping the Nazis) intending to journey to China. After arriving in Singapore, Newton was interned by British authorities and was sent to Australia on board the 'Queen Mary'. Internees travelled to the camp of Tatura, Victoria by train under armed guard. He was released from internment in 1942, and briefly worked as a fruit-picker in northern Victoria. In April 1942, he enlisted with the Australian Army and worked as a truck driver. After the war, in 1945 he became an Australian citizen, and changed his name to Newton in 1946. In 1948 he married actress June Browne.She later became a successful photographer known as Alice Springs.

In 1946, Newton set up a studio in fashionable Flinders Lane and worked primarily on fashion photography in the affluent post-war years. He shared his first joint exhibition in May 1953 with Wolfgang Sievers, a German refugee like himself who had also served in the same Company. The exhibition of ‘New Visions in Photography’ was held at the Federal Hotel in Collins Street and was probably the first glimpse of 'New Objectivity' photography in Australia. Newton went into partnership with Henry Talbot, a fellow German Jew who had also been interned at Tatura.

Newton's growing reputation as a fashion photographer was rewarded when he secured a commission to illustrate fashions in a special Australian supplement for Vogue magazine, published in January 1956. He won a twelve-month contract with British Vogue and he left for London in February 1957. He left the magazine before the end of his contract and went to Paris where he worked for French and German magazines. He returned to Melbourne in March 1959 to a contract for Australian Vogue.

He settled in Paris in 1961 and continued work as a fashion photographer. His works appeared in magazines including, most significantly, French Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. He established a particular style marked by erotic, stylised scenes, often with sado-masochistic and fetishistic subtexts. A heart attack in 1970 slowed his output somewhat but he extended his work and his notoriety/fame greatly increased, notably with his 1980 "Big Nudes" series which marked the pinnacle of his erotic-urban style, underpinned with excellent technical skills. He also worked in portraiture and more fantastical studies.

Newton was extremely fond of his hometown of Berlin, and in October 2003 he donated an extensive photo collection to the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, establishing the Helmut Newton Foundation. The foundation’s aim is the conservation, protection and presentation of the oeuvre of Helmut Newton and Alice Springs.

In his later life, Newton lived in Monte Carlo and Los Angeles. He was killed when his car hit a wall in the driveway of the famous Chateau Marmont, the hotel on Sunset Boulevard which had for several years served as his residence in Southern California. It has been speculated that Newton suffered a heart attack in the moments before the collision. His ashes are buried next to Marlene Dietrich at

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5 stars
155 (43%)
4 stars
126 (35%)
3 stars
59 (16%)
2 stars
16 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Theresa.
55 reviews9 followers
March 8, 2023
Hilarious, crude, raunchy, and, at times, touching. I enjoyed Helmut Newton's Autobiography so much that I could hardly put it down. In some ways it almost reads a send-up of the memoir-genre with statements like this that had me laughing: "... but being the perfect person that I am, the angel, the perfect husband, I didn't make much of a fuss."

This autobiography is really a case of "when someone shows you who they are, believe them," if you're at all familiar with any of Newton's work, you won't be too surprised by the content.
Profile Image for John Eder.
Author 5 books2 followers
May 22, 2015
"I always keep some chains in the trunk of my car, since I never know who I might want to tie up." I'm paraphrasing a great story told to me by photographer George Holz, who assisted Helmut Newton. Newton is an all time great of photography. His work continues to be (mostly unsuccessfully) imitated. In this origin-story bio, Newton lays out where he came from, and how he arrived at his style. While he is doing what could be called erotic art, Newton is never pornographic - he's a model of restraint - no pun intended - and very German. As a writer, he's entertaining and charming. A really fun book, it's a shame there will be no volume two, due to his untimely death.
Profile Image for Lauren Camerer.
17 reviews
September 1, 2024
Wonderful!! I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it after reading. Helmut tells stories from his past that are touching, relatable, heartbreaking, hilarious, raunchy, etc. I love how he never tries to convince the reader that he’s the most morally sound or talented person— he just tells his story and lets you decide! It’s such a raw story of his life; this will be a no.1 classic for me that I’m already looking forward to rereading down the line.
Profile Image for Anya.
157 reviews
May 21, 2018
Фотографам и не только будет интересно узнать биографию мастера.
Profile Image for Sashi Nallapati.
10 reviews2 followers
Read
March 8, 2025
Didn’t actually finish, but it felt like I did. He got soo annoying
Profile Image for Vadim.
208 reviews28 followers
May 1, 2021
Унылое повествование об амурных похождениях и ничего полезного о ремесле.
Profile Image for Vitaly.
24 reviews
November 8, 2021
Давно хотел прочитать, с тех пор как учился фотографии.. и вот в путешествии увидел в книжном шкафу у друзей эту книгу. Написано легко о непростом пути немецкого еврея, спасшегося в гитлеровской Германии, поколесившего по миру в поисках нового дома и своей суженой и ставшего впоследствии известным фотографом. Конечно сейчас такое трудно будет повторить. Основной посыл - брать от жизни все, что дает на данный момент и идти к своей цели, несмотря на преграды и устоявшуюся зону комфорта. Поставил 4 звезды за небольшой перебор с описаниями любовных похождений :)
Profile Image for Marie.
269 reviews5 followers
November 27, 2012
What a fascinating man! I truly appreciate the authors honesty. I can not recall ever reading a book that was this honest - I absolutely adored it.

The story of this book is so wonderful - what a great life, without being an arrogant ass or begging for fame like most these days. I found myself actually sad that I could not be a part of such a rich story or life.

Thank you for sharing the story of your life!
Profile Image for George.
50 reviews8 followers
December 29, 2008
Perhaps Newton deserved a more pretentiously literate, debauched, elegant, and exquisitely fluent ghost writer to do justice to his brilliant narrative mind? A terse, unsentimental, lean account of his career.
Profile Image for Mike.
39 reviews
February 2, 2009
For anyone who loves fashion, photography or life and love, this book is a must read. Living through WWII as a jew, escaping, loving, living life and almost always care-free, that is Helmut Newton.
Profile Image for Diabardo.
31 reviews
April 17, 2017
great memoir, even if you are not into photography, but who's not?
Profile Image for Juan Raffo.
146 reviews2 followers
February 17, 2018
Poco sabía de la vida de Helmut Newton hasta que cayó en mis manos este libro de quien fue uno de los mejores fotógrafos de moda que ha existido.

Famoso por su irreverencia y provocación, lo conocía por algunos de sus trabajos más representativos, pero hasta que llegó a mis manos esta biografía, puño y letra del mismo Newton, no había imaginado la asombrosa, agitada, sufrida y a la vez divertida vida que tuvo.

Una vida de película; sin vergüenzas narra su juventud en Alemania, su huida a China con apenas 18 años escapando de la persecución nazi, solo, sin prácticamente un marco en el bolsillo y sin profesión excepto su cámara y su fascinación por la misma. Como se detuvo en Singapur y sobrevivió como gigoló y fotógrafo a destajo. Su siguiente huida a Australia cuando empezó la guerra, prisionero alemán de los australianos, logra salir del centro de detención entrando al ejército australiano donde se las arregló para no hacer nada aparentando que hacía. Sus primeros trabajos para las revistas de moda de Australia en la post-guerra y sus contratos más importantes en Francia y Nueva York trabajando principalmente para Vogue y Elle.

Newton tenía una gracia innata en la vida que le ayudó a sobrevivir como un judío exiliado sin nacionalidad y esa gracia se refleja en este libro, se deja leer y es el testimonio de un hombre que se sobrepuso a las dificultades con inteligencia y esfuerzo y supo burlarse con ironía de ese mismo mundo de la moda y el glamour que le pagaba las cuentas del Porsche.
Profile Image for Gedi௨.
162 reviews56 followers
May 3, 2020
"to write about one's success, small or big, is simply of no interest to the reader. Getting there is what this book is all about."

PROs
+ autobiography of Helmut Newton sharing his life with strangers
+ great batch of biographic photos
+ insights in to the fashion magazine 'terrain vague'
+ a dedicated part of the book to "about my work"

CONs
- lack of conclusions and linkage, but it suits Newtowns blitz style
- mentions of things rather than building stories and combining them into single-shot plot


SUMMA SUMMARUM
A autobiography written by photographer hints upfront that one should not expect too much fro the book, as photographers tell stories in photos, not words. Pictures in the book are more interesting than written text and unfortunately Newton is not sharing too much how he came up with those pictures.

Profile Image for zara.
3 reviews1 follower
March 23, 2024
A let down, Newton recounts his life from birth but you don’t really get to know him that well, beneath the surface, he doesn’t talk about his moods on a deeper level, what drives his passion for photography - although by his own admission he isn’t a sentimental person, nor someone who likes to remain stuck in the past. His juvenile, boyish mischief never left him, even well into old age, and you can tell by his style of writing, which is very honest and very simple. There’s a section in the last part of the book which I wish were longer - he talks about his methods of working and briefly about the type of equipment he uses, I wish this were longer! anyway. good read but disappointing, I was just expecting something more personal
Profile Image for Klo Diana.
8 reviews1 follower
March 9, 2023
A crazy little book with a crazy little life story! Loved reading this one and loved the tone of it, flat, unemotional, as it happened kind of narrative. Fascinating and charming.
Profile Image for Mike.
328 reviews6 followers
July 20, 2008
Really enjoyed Newton's takes on life, photography, business, and people. He starts off describing his braty upbringing in a rich German Jewish family in Berlin. Being a weak boy, his parents signed him up for gym run by two spinster sisters. The one would push his legs when he lay on the floor in some odd exercise and he would fart in her face every time he could to try and get out of doing the exercise... hilarious. Clearly he describes his early obsession with women and his beginnings as a photographer.

He escapes Berlin just in time in 1938. When he was getting his passport, he describes a good German diplomat who received him screaming slurs and insluts etc. As soon as the door was closed, he quietly told him where he had to go and what he had to do. The door opens and he starts in where he left off telling the dirty Jew to get out... Get Out!

He ends up in Singapore, gets a few jobs here and there, but is more of a gigalo in his words than anything else. Ends up in Australia picking peaches since most of the able bodied population was in the war. After marrying in Melbourne after the war, he starts his studio. Eventually he leaves for London and Vogue... doesn't like London much and heads to Paris. Does much better there and starts to take on the style that would make him famous.

I really enjoyed how in his forties he still described himself as relatively unknown and knew there was much more to be done. I liked how he preferred commission, editorial work and respected the access doors opened up through such work instead of focusing on fine art. It was also very admirable how he would break contracts or leave a successful studio he had built to continue doing what he thought he should all the while ignoring what business minded people were telling him.
Profile Image for tarynresende.
50 reviews
January 3, 2025
Read this out of curiosity for my art history paper where I was going to critique his work.
As a person who really liked his work before and saw it as a portrayal of his female subjects looking strong, powerful, and confident, I wanted to see another perspective and examine if he was really a ‘feminist’ and fashion icon. And from what i have read from other books and now his autobiography is that this man only has three main interests:
1. Having sex with women
2. Taking photographs of naked women
3. Being a voyeur

Concluding to that this man doesn’t even have a passion for photography but rather uses his photography job to see beautiful women naked and fetishize behind the lens. Ew.

This man would talk about his experiences of being a Jew in WWII and having to evacuate. Rather than discussing the politival hardships he I nstead would complain that he hasn’t seen a woman or slept with one in ages.
His book definitely changed my outlook on this artist Alot of his words were straight out misogynistic.

I’m rating this book three stars not for helmut but rather how reading is knowledge. Prior to reading these books and knowing his work from galleries and online interviews , Helmut’s controversial photographs are celebrated and seen as a pivotal moment in fashion photography. With these celebrations I struggled to find what helmuts true intentions are and his backstory on why he only photographs women and this book gave me the best insight there is. Rather than listening to people critique his work based on their opinions, he was the one writing his experiences and his passions which is crazy to think that no one has even really discussed this side of him before.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jaimie.
1,738 reviews25 followers
October 23, 2013
After reading this autobiography I understand the context of Newton's photographic aesthetic. His focus on sex and scandal was driven by his personality, which as a young man with a very European viewpoint was preoccupied with and very open about sexual freedoms.

My initial interest in reading about Newton's life was driven by the fact that he is a photographer, but I found myself more interested in the rest of his life (which is astounding in it's own right). His escapades involving women were laughable and entertaining and balanced out the fear and uncertainty that was present due to hsis circumstances as a German Jew during WWII and having to uproot his life again and again. Overall I was captivated and impressed by his drive to success and his willingness to take risks to survive and thrive.
Profile Image for Pat.
12 reviews
April 11, 2008
FOR ME THIS BOOK IS FASANATING IN THAT HE IS SO HONEST IN SOME OF THE THINGS HE SAYS, FOR EXAMPLE HIS MOTHER SEEING ONE OF THEIR MAIDS LEAVING FOR HER DAY OFF (DRESSED AS WELL AS SHE) SO FIRED HER UPON HER RETURN BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT PEOPLE SHOULD STAY IN "THEIR PLACE". WHO WOULD ADMIT THAT? ALSO HOW SPOILED AND OBNOXIOUS HE WAS AS A CHILD BUT HOW REALLY THAT IS HOW HE GOT WHERE HE DID, BY NOT CHANGING REALLY.
ALSO IT IS ALWAYS AMAZING TO SEE HOW PEOPLE WERE AFFECTED BY HAVING TO FLEE EUROPE WHEN HITLER WAS IN POWER AND WHERE THE ROAD LEAD FROM THERE...
HIS PICTURE COLLECTIONS ARE REALLY AMAZING. ALWAYS AMAZING TO ME THAT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS WITH BLACK AND WHITE COULD GET SUCH DEPTH OF FIELD..BEAUTIFUL, AND OF COURSE HIS WORK WAS VERY EDGY AND TRUE TO HIS VISION.
Profile Image for Anka Gujabidze.
10 reviews19 followers
August 17, 2010
This is very interesting autobiographical book,about selfish person and brilliant photographer,Who is working 24 hours a day to achieve his aim.And also interesting is how he is describing himself,without any borders or frames which may irritate some people. I like his manner of writting.it's very kind and sometimes shoking.He is using everything and everyone to create good image and he is saying that.Also interesting his perception of things and how he uses this percieved material in his photos.
45 reviews9 followers
May 20, 2012
Me encantó. La edición en español tiene varios errores (entre ellos, repiten un párrafo completo en el segundo capítulo) pero la traducción es buena y en ningún momento se lee como una versión separada de la original.

Newton no era literato pero explica bastante bien su vida, a pesar de algunas limitaciones del lenguaje. En parte es una novela erótica, porque el sexo fue una prioridad para el autor y su obra. La segunda parte, dedicada a su trabajo, es muy buena y explica algunas circunstancias alrededor de sus obras más famosas. Apto para fans y no fans.
78 reviews8 followers
August 2, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. I think it was really well written, and revealed Newton as a rather honest, down to earth person. I liked the fact that he actually is capable of admitting his weaknesses, and telling the world how he screwed up at times. I also admire his spirit - the transition from being a wealthy German teenager to a "nobody" in Singapore must have been pretty harsh. But what I admire the most is how he worked his butt off to reach his goal and make his dreams come true.
Profile Image for Kim.
72 reviews3 followers
May 22, 2009
i'm not usually big on biographies or autobiographies, but i've realized i really enjoy reading those of artists. they have a special way of storytelling and have THE most interesting lives. i mean...most of newton's photos are of naked ladies - you have to assume he's got some stories to tell.
8 reviews
February 27, 2024
Totalmente recomendable; lo leí en un momento en el que la lectura no era algo cotidiano para mi, pero me absorbió por completo. Diría que es la forma en la que está narrado. En las últimas páginas aparecen una serie de trabajos de Helmut realmente interesantes
Profile Image for Alexander.
17 reviews
March 20, 2007
Mr. Newton, what was the hardest thing about being interned during WWII?

There weren't any chicks at the camp.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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