Many of us know Ringo Starr as the drummer for The Beatles, but did you know he’s also a talented photographer? I think you might be pleasantly surprised to see what happened when he traded his drumsticks for a camera.
Rock and roll stars are often at the top of the camera rather than taking pictures of themselves. Ringo Starr has experienced both sides of that equation, as he enjoys photography as much as being in it. The reason I know this is thanks to the photographer and the educator Tatiana Hopper’s latest video where she shares the story of Starr’s love of photography.
The video begins early in Starr’s life, where we learn that there were only five photos of the drummer growing up. While I’m sure many individuals living in similar working-class environments can relate to this, it’s sad to think that just a handful of images are all that can be said about this. someone’s childhood. In part, I’m sure this is why Starr is so keen to record it later when he has the financial means. Next, we see various examples of his work, from intimate photos of his bandmates to snaps of his family. An interesting quote from Starr regarding photography is how he takes pictures now, not later. This is a different approach to many documentary photographers and something we can all learn from.
What a pleasant surprise to learn about Ringo Starr’s photography. I’m not the biggest fan of The Beatles, but the pictures he took capture an era that many of us cherish. Personally, I would love his pictures even if they don’t have celebrities in them. The fact that they contain some of the most famous faces on the planet is just a nice bonus. In my opinion, picture book he produced that would keep up with many other documentary photographers of the era, and that is a testament to his photographic skills.
What do you think of Ringo Starr’s work? Think it is any good? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.
