Jean-Jacques Naudet, a Determine within the World of Photography, Dies at 81 — Blind Journal

For many journalists—and particularly for numerous photographers—Jean-Jacques Naudet was an important connector on the planet of images. Between the Seventies and the 2000s, he labored successively as editor-in-chief of Photo journal, as an image editor at Paris Match inside the legendary crew led by Roger Thérond, and as a correspondent for the Hachette-Filipacchi group within the United States. In these roles, he performed an lively half within the publication of a few of the most iconic press photographs of the 20th century.

In the early 2010s, he launched his personal on-line publication, initially titled La Lettre de la Photographie, later renamed L’Œil de la Photographie. The platform shortly grew to become the world’s first every day publication totally dedicated to photographic information, with a every day publication accessible in each French and English, and established itself as a bridge between American and European visible cultures. Jean-Jacques Naudet invited lots of his mates {and professional} contacts to contribute. Supported by patrons, freed from promoting, the publication loved uncommon independence. Budgets have been substantial, the tempo demanding—generally as much as 10 articles revealed in a single day—and the bylines quite a few, bringing collectively each established writers and youthful voices.

It was throughout this era that I met Jean-Jacques, one afternoon in May 2010, in New York. I used to be 25 years previous, deeply captivated with images, and had simply come from the workplace of Peter Galassi, then head of images at MoMA, adopted by a go to to Elliott Erwitt’s studio—two conferences I had organized whereas overlaying a significant retrospective devoted by the New York museum to Henri Cartier-Bresson. Jean-Jacques had all the time made a behavior of warmly welcoming anybody who got here to see him, whether or not in his workplace or at his residence. He agreed instantly to my proposal. I started writing for L’Œil de la Photographie, shortly grew to become a correspondent in New York, and some years later took on the position of editor-in-chief.

Jean-Jacques Naudet was above all a exceptional storyteller of photographers’ lives. I imagine that was what he liked most: speaking about them, recounting their exploits—and, by extension, his personal. Above all, he liked to evoke a selected period—particularly the Eighties—which he appeared to overlook deeply. The golden age of photojournalism, and of the journal he cherished a lot, Paris Match, with its singular tone and its wealth of discipline anecdotes that immediately would appear nearly unbelievable. It was additionally the golden age of the paparazzi, whom he preferred to explain as adventurers, or large youngsters seeking thrills—very like himself. His period additionally coincided with the beginnings of the Rencontres d’Arles images pageant, when it was nonetheless run by a handful of photographer mates who met there in a relaxed and pleasant ambiance. It was additionally a time of friendships with a few of the best photographers of the twentieth century, and of particular moments with them that he liked to share with youthful generations. With L’Œil de la Photographie, he discovered a approach to preserve a few of that spirit alive, whereas absolutely embracing the probabilities of the online: its occasion protection, its infinite pages, direct entry to photographers and their photographs from around the globe, closeness with them, and distinctive editorial concepts, for skilled images but in addition notably for beginner one.

Jean-Jacques was fast to supply recommendation as soon as he appreciated the particular person in entrance of him. He readily shared his intensive deal with guide, by no means spoke unwell of anybody in personal, and positioned generosity on the very coronary heart of his working technique—qualities that made him broadly appreciated within the discipline, significantly within the United States, the place this method to skilled relationships is important. In that sense, he gave me rather a lot and taught me an amazing deal. He additionally anticipated loyalty, which may result in intense skilled relationships, however generally additionally to disagreements. He typically used the expression “photographic father” to explain the bond between a photographer and their scholar, or between a journalist and their mentor. There is little question that he was one for me.

Jean-Jacques liked France—its Parisian resort bars—however above all Provence and its olive-tree gardens, the place his spouse Shiva cooked lamb to perfection for seven hours to the sound of cicadas, the place his grandchildren, whom he known as his “mini babies,” performed within the swimming pool, the place he preferred to hearken to music very, very loud, and the place he would decide up his company in a Renault 4L—effectively, all the time comfortably seated within the passenger seat, as he by no means drove a automotive in his life. Above all, Jean-Jacques liked New York and its extravagance, the place he moved with ease. The metropolis and its inhabitants amused him endlessly and fed the numerous tales he liked to inform his company over legendary lunches, the place good meals, pink wine, and unfiltered cigarettes have been obligatory. New York can also be the town the place he raised his “babies,” Jules and Gédéon Naudet—whom he nonetheless known as that effectively into their fifties—and who grew to become well-known worldwide on September 11, 2001, for filming contained in the Twin Towers as they burned. Finally, it was the town that cast a profound ardour for visible arts, by way of its countless encounters, intense discussions, and distinctive artists. “Formidable,” as he preferred to say affectionately.

Jean-Jacques Naudet liked images deeply—so deeply that one may need questioned whether or not it bordered on obsession. Since founding L’Œil de la Photographie, he spent most of his time—round 14 hours a day—relentlessly going by way of the journal’s emails, filtering what ought to or shouldn’t be revealed, assigning topics to his crew, main conferences on-line or at his residence, and, in fact, marvelling at photographers’ expertise. At an age when most individuals retire and benefit from the time they’ve left, he couldn’t cease. Not cease loving images, not cease discovering it, not cease publishing it. I imagine he had by no means labored more durable in his life. A couple of days in the past, he handed away in entrance of his pc. In a ultimate bow to images.

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