Caught on Camera: Paparazzi Capturing Your Every Move
Valery Plotnikov and Rino Barillari, two contemporary photographers, made indelible marks in their respective fields, each with a unique approach to capturing the essence of their subjects.
Based in the Soviet Union, Valery Plotnikov was Vladimir Vysotsky's principal photographer, starting in 1967 and continuing until his death. Known for his meticulous staging and thoughtful attention to detail, Plotnikov selected the background, clothing, hairstyle, pose, and props for each subject, resulting in photographs that stand out for their meticulousness[1]. Among his subjects were Andrei Myronov, Mikhail Boyarsky, Dmitry Likhachev, Mstislav Rostropovich, and, of course, Vysotsky himself. The last photographs taken by Plotnikov were at Vysotsky's funeral[2].
In stark contrast, Rino Barillari began his career at an early age in Rome, where he quickly established himself as a prominent paparazzo. Known for stalking and photographing stars in candid, often dramatic moments, Barillari earned the nickname "king of the paparazzi" due to his ability to provoke strong reactions from the celebrities he photographed[3]. His approach involved persistent pursuit of candid shots, seeking to reveal unguarded moments that staged celebrity photos would not show. This immersive, sometimes confrontational style became characteristic of his work, setting him apart in the realm of paparazzi photography[4].
Barillari's career as a photojournalist began in Rome in the 1950s, after he ran away from home in Limbadi, Calabria. Initially, he made ends meet with odd jobs and sometimes pilfered coins from the Trevi Fountain. Rome was a popular destination for Hollywood stars like Ava Gardner, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, and Alfred Hitchcock during the time Barillari arrived. Among the many legendary celebrities he captured, some of the most iconic include Elizabeth Taylor and Ingrid Bergman in the Italian capital[1][2].
Barillari's photographs are valuable because they capture unique, authentic moments of stars, often in their everyday lives without warning them of a flash[5]. One of his most famous photos was taken when actress Sonia Romanoff threw an ice cream at him, creating a "scandal." Barillari has spoken proudly about the heroes of his photographs, both stars and the downtrodden[6].
In the 1970s, Barillari began photographing criminal organizations, protesters, instigators of street fights, and prison riots, further expanding his repertoire[7]. Valery Plotnikov, on the other hand, dressed stars in his own clothes if he thought they didn't look striking enough, demonstrating a different approach to staging[1].
Both photographers' works primarily consist of black-and-white and color photographs, and their contributions to their respective fields continue to influence and inspire photographers today.
In the realm of entertainment, Valery Plotnikov, despite working within the Soviet Union, managed to capture iconic images of celebrities such as Vysotsky, showcasing a unique blend of pop-culture and artistry in his meticulously staged photographs. Conversely, Rino Barillari, a prominent figure in Rome, gained notoriety as the "king of the paparazzi," using an immersive and sometimes confrontational approach to reveal unguarded moments of celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Ingrid Bergman, making significant contributions to the world of entertainment and pop-culture.
