Jeff Bridges. Photo courtesy of Audrey Hall, via The Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries.
Though he's most known for his time in front of the camera, Academy Award–winning actor Jeff Bridges is also a prolific photographer. Soon, a collection of his images, all shot with a Widelux F8 panoramic camera, will make their way to The Sheldon for Jeff Bridges: Pictures, on view in the Bellwether Gallery of St. Louis Artists from October 8 to January 21, 2023.
Pictures, which offers viewers striking imagery and behind-the-scenes looks into such classic films as The Big Lebowski and The Fabulous Baker Boys, is also the first exhibition of Bridges' photography in the Midwest. Ahead of the opening, we caught up with Bridges via email to talk about his longtime love of photography, working with The Sheldon, and what he hopes visitors might glean from Pictures.
Tell me a bit about the camera you use, and why you've stuck with it.
The first time I came across a Widelux was in high school, when our class photo was being taken. A couple of class clowns figured they could beat the panning lens and be in the photograph twice. And they were right. Years later, that observation in high school inspired my series of "Tragedia/Comedia" photographs, which capture both these emotions and facial expressions in one frame.
After a hiatus in my photography, the Widelux came back into my life on our wedding day. [Bridges married Susan Geston in 1977.] Some of our wedding photos are taken with a Widelux. I really admire these photos—showing movement and the passing of time. Realizing how much I enjoy the Widelux, my wife, Sue, gave me a Widelux as a belated wedding gift. I started experimenting with the camera on family and friends and eventually started taking it with me when I was making a movie. The Widelux frame is quite similar to the 1.85:1 ratio of a typical movie. The 28 mm panning lens captures the essence of both still and moving pictures.
I’ve referred to the Widelux many times as a fickle mistress—with a viewfinder that isn’t accurate and no manual focus. I like its arbitrariness and capricious qualities, which are traits I aspire to in my work—a lack of preciousness.
What made you start capturing photographs on set?
Taking pictures on movie sets exhibits a bit of the magic, unmasking things not meant to be seen. Looking behind the curtain is fascinating, but I’m also ambivalent about revealing too much—showing how the “bunny got out of the hat.”
How would you describe your style of photography?
Stylistically, I prefer black-and-white photography. Although I wouldn’t call myself a documentary photographer, I do document life spent on movies sets. I don’t like posed shots, I just want people going about their business.
A photographer who has influenced me greatly is Jacques Henri Lartigue. His panoramic shots have a “snapshot” quality, which I find intriguing given the time period they were taken.
Photo by Jeff Bridges. Courtesy of Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries.
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Do you have a favorite photograph? If so, what stands out about it?
No, not really. For me personally, when I look back at the photographs and then I make these books for the cast and crew...it’s like being transported back in time. I can really remember all those wonderful moments and experiences. So, for me, it’s like home movies—a still version of home movies. Each experience unique in its own way, so I can’t say there is a favorite.
This will be the first exhibition of your photographs in the Midwest. Why The Sheldon?
I was asked by Paula Lincoln, gallery manager of The Sheldon Gallery. She mentioned having an interest in my photography for some time and wondered if we'd be interested in an exhibition. The Sheldon was also keen on The Abiders playing in the concert hall along with the exhibition. But The Abiders are not performing post-COVID...not yet. Everyone at The Sheldon has been terrific to come up with some cool programming in lieu of our appearance. Check out their website for what's coming up.
Have you spent much time in St. Louis?
No, I haven't spent any time in St. Louis. But I had a dear friend and mentor, Rozzell Sykes who has spent some time in St. Louis, and he passed along some good vibes about growing up there for a bit of time.
What do you hope visitors take away from this exhibition?
[I hope they think,] Wow...what a groovy life Jeff has had. Look at all those wonderful folks he got to jam with, amazing how fast time goes and how the way making movies has changed.
Documenting your life is an interesting thing to do, I wonder what parts of my own life I can do that with? Isn’t photography amazing—capturing the play of light and shadow at a particular time for people to see long after those moments are no longer. All those people, all those lives, all those individual thoughts and relationships. Where can I get one of those Widelux cameras?
I didn’t think making movies looked like this. These folks look like they are having fun and working hard. This must be what plorking [working and playing at once] looks like. Maybe you don’t have to be just one thing in life, you can mix it up. Jeff expresses himself in a few different ways, maybe I can, too. You never know what you’ll get, especially if you don’t try to get something.
Is there anything else you'd like folks to know about this work?
The sale of the Pictures books benefits the Motion Picture & Television Fund.
Jeff Bridges: Pictures is free and open to the public. For more information and additional programming, visit thesheldon.org.
