Punched by Bowie, thumped by Jagger and swatted with a newspaper by Dylan: a new book reveals what it really took to get the shot as a paparazzo, long before autofocus did the hard work
Forget autofocus tracking and 30fps bursts: this veteran tabloid photographer's new book recalls a time when fieldcraft, nerve and legwork mattered more
David Koppel, a London paparazzo during the 1980s and 1990s, faced a barrage of celebrity encounters that inspired his new book, Spotlight. The book showcases his most iconic images and the stories behind them. Koppel had numerous run-ins with famous figures, including David Bowie punching him, Mick Jagger thumping him, and Bob Dylan swatting him with a newspaper. He also encountered Pierce Brosnan, Joanna Lumley, Frank Sinatra, Princess Diana, Marlon Brando, and Kate Moss.
Koppel's career as a paparazzo was about finding the right place at the right time, often requiring creative solutions. For example, he photographed Diana greeting Liza Minnelli by posing as an usher after missing the press rota. He also caught Marlon Brando by following him into a hotel after being turned away from his original plan.
Koppel's persistence and resourcefulness earned him recognition, even if it meant facing criticism like the time Bob Dylan called him a "paparazzi scum." Despite the profession's decline in public tolerance, Koppel's unguarded images remain unique and valuable, capturing celebrities in their natural state. His new book, Spotlight, published by Pap Art in November 2023, will be priced at £75.
Written by urgent.news from Digital Camera World's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
