About this Event
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of photography at Leica Store and Gallery Meatpacking with a very special evening presentation of Behind the Binding. Join us for an invigorating Conversation and Book Signing with photographer Bruce W. Talamon and TASCHEN editor Reuel Golden. Together, they unravel the stories behind Talamon's captivating works and acclaimed book, Soul. R&B. Funk. Photographs 1972–1982.
Programming begins promptly at 6:30 PM.
Following the talk, indulge in signed books with the artist!
Seating is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot in advance!
All photographs ©Bruce Talamon
Bruce W. Talamon
Soul. R&B. Funk. Photographs 1972–1982
TASCHEN
Two books will be available:
Bruce W. Talamon. Soul. R&B. Funk. Photographs 1972–1982, Art Edition $1500
- Edition of 500 Hardcover in a plexiglass slipcase, 12.4 x 17.3 in., 378 pages; with 4 prints in portfolio, printed on Hahnemuehle Photo Rag paper, 11 x 16 in., each numbered and signed by Bruce W. Talamon
- Edition: Multilingual (English, French, German)
Behind the scenes of the 1970s music explosion with Bruce W. Talamon
Talamon saw it all during the golden age of soul, R&B, and funk. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, this young African American photographer from Los Angeles found himself backstage with an all-access pass to the heart of the music scene.
He caught his first big break landing a position as a staff photographer at SOUL Newspaper in LA in the early 1970s, just as soul, R&B, and funk were becoming part of the mainstream. He captured the rehearsals and sound checks, recording sessions and costume fittings, the quiet reflective moments and life on the road, and, of course, the wild photoshoots and memorable performances. These photographs define an era famed for its glamour, fabulous fashions, and utter devotion to the groove.
Including nearly 300 photographs from 1972 to 1982, the extensive Talamon archives are presented in full detail for the first time. Whether you’re a diehard soul fan or a thrilled newcomer to the aesthetic magic of the 1970s, the collection exudes the infectious spirit of an exuberant age. Featuring icons such as Earth, Wind & Fire; Marvin Gaye; Diana Ross; Parliament-Funkadelic; Al Green; Gil Scott-Heron; James Brown; Barry White; Rick James; Aretha Franklin; the Jackson Five; Donna Summer; and Chaka Khan and many others; there are also several stops at the legendary Soul Train studios. Talamon documented a visual period in black music that lasted way past the midnight hour and will never come again.
Art Edition of 500 copies with four prints in a portfolio case, each numbered and signed by Bruce W. Talamon:
James Brown, ABC Television Center, California, 1973
Parliament-Funkadelic, Los Angeles Sports Arena, 1977
The Jacksons, Los Angeles, 1976
Stevie Wonder, Inglewood, California, 1980
Bruce W. Talamon. Soul. R&B. Funk. Photographs 1972–1982 (Icon “Pocket” Edition $20)
- Hardcover, 5.5 x 7.7 in., 0.95 lb, 192 pages
Get down with Marvin Gaye, Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, The Jackson 5, Diana Ross, James Brown, Chaka Khan and many more black music legends in this collection of largely unseen images from the golden age of soul, R&B, and funk. Scaled down from its original limited Art Edition version, this volume gathers the glamour and groove captured by Los Angeles based photographer Bruce W. Talamon in 192 pages. Drawn from TASCHEN’s vast cultural archives, come these pocket-size editions. Condensed, richly illustrated celebrations of the world’s best photographers, artists, and cultural icons, crafted in Italy to exquisite standards. Starting your TASCHEN collection has never been easier—or more affordable.
Bruce W. Talamon (b. July 31, 1949) is a photographer who grew up in the South Central neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. His cameras have taken him around the world.
In 1971 while on foreign study he bought his first camera. For fifty-four years he has had adventures… Twelve years on the music scene, contract photographer for Time Magazine, Jesse Jackson 1984 Campaign stills Photographer, and forty-seven years shooting action, portraits, posters and publicity campaigns for feature films.
Books: Bruce W. Talamon SOUL R&B FUNK PHOTOGRAPHS 1972-1982 (TASCHEN) 2018. Bob Marley, Spirit Dancer (WW Norton) 1984. Collections: Brooklyn Museum, Grammy Museum, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Duke University, Studio Museum Harlem, Corcoran Gallery Washington DC, Hammer Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Getty Museum Los Angeles. Carnegie Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Washington DC.
In 2019 the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery selected his portrait of Earth Wind & Fire to represent one of six inductees for its “Portrait of A Nation” Celebration. In 2019 he shot Stills and the movie poster and publicity photographs for the 2020 Universal Pictures film NEWS OF THE WORLD, directed by Paul Greengrass, starring Tom Hanks. For nine days, he worked on the 2026 movie MICHAEL, directed by Antoine Fuqua, to help capture the visual record of the making of that movie.
In the spirit of that next adventure, Bruce likes to share ideas with photographers about the work. “Anyone can push a button. But can you repeat it? You must know your craft. Understand what that really means. And be prepared to protect your photographs and start conversations about this new future.”
Bruce recently completed the HBO Documentary on Earth Wind & Fire as a Co-Executive Producer and has two more book projects for TASCHEN Books. The adventure continues…
Websites and Contact Information:
Instagram: @brucewtalamon
Websites: www.brucetalamon.com www.marleyspiritdancer.com
Reuel Golden is the former editor of the British Journal of Photography and the Photography editor at TASCHEN. His TASCHEN titles include Mick Rock: The Rise of , both London and New York Portrait of a City books, The ,Her Majesty, the National Geographic editions, the SUMO and . Polaroids.
©Bruce Talamon
Bruce Talamon, Leica Cameras and assorted lenses ©Bruce Talamon
Bruce Talamon, 1980 Earth Wind & Fire Tour of the World, Mexico City ©Bruce Talamon
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Leica Store and Gallery New York, 406 West 13th Street, New York, United States
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