Michael Jackson. The Way You Make Me Feel

He has been covered countless times and GigPhotographer is sure he will be spoken of for many years to come. He is compared to other icons of the past like Elvis, James Dean and Frank Sinatra. However, what makes THIS icon so relevant is because he is (or was) a living icon of THIS generation.

Perhaps he lost his brightness along the way, but a star that burns so bright will burn out. It was in his light that we shall remember him and I thought it was about time GigPhotographer honoured him.

There was a TV Program showing another Top Ten list of his videos. It just so happens I actually watched this one. It only just occurred to me that his videos are actually very simple.

The acclaimed Thriller is very much performance based, we admire the makeup, the choreography and his screen persona.

Beat It has a tenuous plotline but it’s his appearance that captures you because you know what is coming, your anticipation is rewarded by his legendary poses.

And that is my point; he knows what looks good; it is natural, seamless, confident. He seems to have a very natural ability to be self aware of where the camera is, what the audience wants and knows how to combine the dance moves to get to it.

He knew very early on that choreography isn’t just about how you move, but also about using a pose to punctuate a dance. And it is when he punctuates that makes for great photographs.

While researching still clips from his videos it is probably true to say he hardly ever puts a step wrong; obviously during photo shoots and filming of videos they shoot multiple takes, but when choosing the best shots he always knows what works.

As a Photographer who photographs bands and artists, it is apparent to me that they don’t always know how to present themselves. I would even say some seasoned artists don’t have the same third person awareness.

He is the complete showman, every move is a still shot, and every still shot shows his moves. His ability to know what position works is now legendary; what fan hasn’t attempted his poses, his struts and his facial expressions. I only wish I could have photographed him.

When he looks at the camera, there is an intensity in his eyes. When he is interviewed there is a vulnerability. We will never know if this is well rehearsed or just his nature.

In a recent interview, the American R&B artist Ne-Yo describe the man wonderfully, “The man has passed on, but the energy is still with us.” He will always be with us, his influence, this passion, his love. As a Christian, one of my greatest influences was ridiculed, hounded, hunted and misunderstood; to this day Jesus has love as well has hate imbued upon him. It is now through his videos and the photographs we have of this man that he shall be viewed, but it is his heart that shall live on forever for infinite generations to come.

I shall end with this thought, was he more entertainer or more musician? Could his songs have worked without the photographic and energetic Performer?