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Bob Dylan and Julia Roberts. Robert Plant and Nicole Kidman. Johnny Cash and Elizabeth Taylor. Normally you wouldn’t think of these people in the same context—but Match Prints, the new photography book by Jim Marshall and Timothy White (published by Collins Design, an imprint of Harper Collins), does it for you, and (somehow) it totally works.
Dubbed “the rock photographer” by (none other than) Annie Leibovitz, Jim Marshall has shot over 500 album and CD covers and his photographs of Woodstock and the Monterey Pop Festival (including the iconic image of Jimi Hendrix lighting fire to his guitar) defined a generation. Although Timothy White has shot more than his fair share of rock stars too, you’ve most likely seen his work at your local cineplex—since he has photographed (and continues to shoot) some of the most recognizable movie posters of our time.
The two met over 20 years ago—poolside at the Sunset Marquis in Hollywood (Jim hysterically recalls Timothy looking like “an oiled rat”). Mutual admiration turned into an enduring friendship, and they were soon to discover that many of their photos shared a common ground despite being taken over 20 (or even 35) years apart. “It all started with my photo of Jim Morrison and Timothy’s photo of Robert Mitchum; their head’s cocked just so, both cupping their cigarettes with similar authority and disdain. I was so excited by the similarities between the two images that I hung them side by side in my apartment,” says Jim.
That excitement eventually (what took you so long, guys?) led to the publication ofMatch Prints. The celeb-filled tome contains spread after spread of some of the biggest showbiz names of the 20th and 21st centuries. One of the most striking? Jim’s image of Shelley Winters (taken in 1963) next to Timothy’s image of Shirley MacLaine (taken in 1991)—both of these movie legends are seen only in the reflection of the round mirrors that they hold. And you don’t want to miss the youthful Liza of 1977 paired with the mature Liza of 1996 (tiny heart-shaped tattoo under her breast and all).
Match Prints also contains several insightful anecdotes from the subjects themselves. What are Alice Cooper’s thoughts on his portrait alongside one of Lil’ Kim—both of them wearing printed fur boots? “She probably bought hers in some fancy boutique; I ran the leopard down, killed it, skinned it, and made the boots. Not just anyone can wear leopard, you know. And clearly, I have better legs.”
No word on what Bette Midler thinks about her photo being paired with Mama Cass, though…
PRIZE PATROL!
Of course, now you want a copy of Match Prints for yourself, right? Well, don’t worry—Instinct will take care of that. Our friends over at Harper Collins have (very generously) given us 10 copies to share with you, our loyal readers. But we’re going to make you work for it…
E-mail us at
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with “Match Prints” in the subject line and tell us in 100 words or less which celebrities you’d like to see paired together and why. The first 10 entries (with a valid e-mail, home address and telephone number) will win a copy of Match Prints—which retails for $40. Only one entry/winner per household please.
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