Renowned photographer Anton Corbijn has been declared an ICON!
In the realm of music photography, few names resonate as profoundly as that of Anton Corbijn. Known for his iconic black-and-white portraits and long-term collaborations with major artists, Corbijn has left an indelible mark on the industry.
Born in the Netherlands, Corbijn's passion for photography began in his teenage years, snapping shots with his father's camera. This early interest led him to London in 1979, where he would immerse himself in the vibrant music scene.
Corbijn's work is characterised by high-contrast images that emphasise authenticity, imperfection, and emotional depth. His subjects have ranged from influential musicians like Tom Waits, David Bowie, and Kurt Cobain, to cultural figures such as Cameron Diaz, William S. Burroughs, and Allen Ginsberg.
Over the years, Corbijn has directed approximately 80 music videos, working with bands and artists including U2, Depeche Mode, Nirvana, Metallica, and The Killers. His style, often capturing birthmarks, freckles, wrinkles, and scars, reveals inner beauty and struggle.
Beyond music photography and videos, Corbijn has focused on photographing painters and other artists in his series called "Inwards and Onwards," featuring figures like Gerhard Richter, Anselm Kiefer, and Lucian Freud.
His contributions to music photography have been formally recognised with prestigious awards such as the Icon Award at the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards in 2023.
Joining previous Icon Award winners Henry Diltz and Jill Furmanovsky, Corbijn's influence and enduring legacy in the field are undeniable.
Meanwhile, Kalum Carter, a photographer, filmmaker, creative director, and writer, offers insights and analyses about photography and filmmaking. Carter's work highlights the power of visual storytelling and fosters an appreciation for the impact of photography.
This year, the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards are set to showcase great photography, following the success of last year's event which drew over 22,000 entries from 30 different countries. In addition to the Icon Award, all other category awards will be presented, including two new categories this year: Portrait and Festivals.
Tom Pallant, an award winner from previous years, is now a judge for the awards. The ceremony for 2025 will take place at Abbey Road on October 02, 2025.
For more information about the awards, visit the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards website.
[1] Anton Corbijn Official Website [2] The Guardian: Anton Corbijn: ‘I'm not a photographer, I'm a storyteller’ [3] The Telegraph: Anton Corbijn: the man who made U2 and Depeche Mode look cool [4] The New Yorker: Anton Corbijn's Uncanny Portraits
- Anton Corbijn's iconic portraits and collaborations with major artists have significantly influenced the realm of music photography.
- Corbijn's photographic journey began with a curiosity for capturing moments using his father's camera in his teenage years.
- Corbijn's unique style, characterized by high-contrast images and an emphasis on authenticity, has captured the inner beauty and struggles of subjects such as Tom Waits, David Bowie, and Kurt Cobain.
- In addition to music, Corbijn has focused on photographing painters and other artists, including Gerhard Richter, Anselm Kiefer, and Lucian Freud, in his series called "Inwards and Onwards."
- Beyond photography, Corbijn has directed approximately 80 music videos, working with a diverse range of bands and artists like U2, Depeche Mode, Nirvana, Metallica, and The Killers.
- Recognition of Corbijn's contributions to music photography came in the form of the Icon Award at the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards in 2023, joining winners Henry Diltz and Jill Furmanovsky.
- Aspiring photographers can look forward to the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards, which will showcase great photography and introduce new categories this year, including Portrait and Festivals.
- Kalum Carter, a photographer, filmmaker, creative director, and writer, offers insights into the power of visual storytelling and the impact of photography in various fields such as news, fashion-and-beauty, entertainment, and lifestyle.
