The Passing of a Creative Icon: Diane Keaton's Photography Legacy
A true artist's spirit, Diane Keaton, has left us with a unique and often overlooked passion project.
While the world remembers Diane Keaton for her iconic roles in The Godfather and Woody Allen's films, her love for photography and its artistic expression is a story that deserves to be told.
Keaton's journey into photography began with a simple fascination. She carried a Rolleiflex camera during her travels in the 1970s, capturing the essence of unloved American hotels in her book, Reservations (1980). The direct flash technique she employed created a distinct, square black-and-white aesthetic, showcasing her eye for detail and design.
But here's where it gets controversial: despite her obvious talent, Keaton never considered herself a photographer. In an interview with House Beautiful, she humbly stated, "I shoot the pictures, but I'm not doing them in any big way. I just like it. I like images."
And this is the part most people miss: Keaton's photography extended beyond just capturing images. She was an enthusiast and a collector, with a dream to "purchase every photography book ever published" and create a public library of image-driven books, as she once shared with The New York Times.
Keaton's passion for collages and her unique approach to art are showcased in her book, Saved: My Picture World (2022). She described her process to House Beautiful as a playful one, "cutting out paper, throwing it up on the wall, or finding old photographs at swap meets and doing the same."
"I have tons of that - tons, tons, tons. And I have a very long table. I like to play around with cutting objects and putting them in the same moment, maybe presenting them as little collages. But nothing important,"
So, was Diane Keaton just a casual photographer, or did she leave an impactful mark on the art world? What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
