Though there’s not a lot of archive footage of Austin Powers at work as a photographer, we can still learn a great deal from this underrated studio master.
Be a part of the shoot
The 60s was the era of celebrity photographers like David Bailey and Richard Avedon - they were as well known as the models and the publications they shot for. Austin channels these photographers not only through his overpowering charisma, but by jumping in and out of the sets to guide his subjects and physically inject energy and movement. Its almost as if he himself is the subject of the picture.
Have a bottomless list of dialogue for the subject to react to
“You’re an animal! “
Austin never goes quiet, never fumbles for words and never stops shooting. He directs the subject indirectly so they don’t have time to fall into cliche poses of unnatural positions. Mis-direction and nonsensical dialog are still a staple method for photographers - Peter Hurley is a great example.
Put on a show
There is no hanging around - each press of the shutter ends one idea and starts another. Each shot, as chaotic as it might initially appear, is deliberate and purposeful. Even the ‘wasted’ shots taken into thin air are part of the show to amuse and relax the subject.
And I’m spent.