These Portraits of Jay Z, Andy Samberg, and John Mayer Are Absolutely Bonkers | GQ
The elements of a classic Chris Buck portrait are instantly recognizable and often unforgettable: bold colors, crisp lighting, and simple yet slightly bizarre scenarios. The Toronto-born and -bred photographer has a way of capturing iconic figures in the most unconventional, almost dreamlike settings. It’s hard to imagine Jay Z working a fast food joint, Gary Oldman with pie on his face, or Billy Bob Thornton pissing on a backdrop (alright, that last one is pretty believable). But over the course of his 30-year career, Buck has managed to turn the surreal into truly stunning portraits for publications like GQ, The New Yorker and The Guardian Weekend. “I always liked pictures of people that look kind of uncomfortable or vulnerable,” he says. “When making a portrait, I want to capture that uneasiness with them.” That signature uneasiness, more than 300 examples of it, has been packaged in a book aptly titled Uneasy released earlier this year. Each page will leave you A) awestruck, B) scratching your head, or C) wondering why anyone would agree to pose like that. “Ultimately I saw these portraits as more about me than they are about the subject,” says Buck, which likely explains why a majority of the photos are of men at their most unguarded moments. So, what makes a portrait truly memorable? “The No. 1 element is vulnerability,” says Buck. “To me, that is humanity. There needs to be a sense of openness. And ambiguity. It's not clear what this person is thinking or feeling. The ambiguity is kind of an invitation to step in.” Now it’s your turn to step into the wonderfully weird world of Chris Buck with commentary from the man himself.
Photo by Chris Buck