Jasmine on Carlton Beach in Cannes, 1988: captured by Derek Ridgers
❚ MY PAL THE STRAIGHT-UP PHOTOGRAPHER Derek Ridgers is making headlines this week on two accounts. Yet another book goes on sale, with the unlikely title of Cannes, being as he says himself, “something completely different”. He explains: “One original title option was Nuts In May. It was thought that that reference might be a bit too obscure. I have no idea what the Cannes Film Festival is like these days, I haven’t been there for nearly 30 years, but it was certainly more than a bit nuts, at times, back in the Eighties and Nineties.”
The Hollywood Reporter has splashed on a major review of Derek’s book from IdeaLtd, in which the picture we see here is typically full-on, showing Jasmine on Carlton Beach in 1988. “There’s the sun, sea, beach, girls, crowds, the beautiful French Riviera… and you’ve got famous film stars wandering around all over,” says our author. “For a photographer, it’s utterly addictive.”
➢ See several more of Derek’s Cannes photographs
at the Hollywood Reporter
Having also said “After 45 years, I can afford to lighten up a little,” this week also sees Derek featuring in a talk at London’s major gallery Tate Modern, as part of its Offprint weekend. According to the blurb, Derek sits down with fellow photographer Yasmine Akim to talk about what it’s like behind the camera on the dancefloors of boundary-pushing queer parties, clubs and raves across generations. She has especially documented parties and performances at INFERNO.
➢➢ Shapers of the 80s ➣➣ 