Renowned for his work in photojournalism, celebrity portraiture and film photography, Douglas Kirkland’s retrospective is a compelling look into a career in photography spanning over five decades. With just under 200 images, this exhibition features portraits of celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, ‘Coco’ Chanel, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson and other icons, alongside iconic stills taken on the sets of acclaimed films such as The Sound of Music (1965), Out of Africa (1985), Titanic (1997) and Australia (2008).

“I had imagined my life and then I had lived it. My images tell the story of a dreamer with a camera in his hands. I have always seized the day. For me, photography has always meant to imagine and interpret persons, sites and events. I understand the world better with a camera.” —Douglas Kirkland
[Interview by Moria De Zen, Bassano Fotografia, 2011]. Kirkland’s retrospective at the Southeast Museum of Photography will run from October 21, 2011 – February 19, 2012. On Thursday, Oct 27 Douglas Kirkland will present a special keynote seminar at PDN’s Photo Plus Expo.

© Albert Watson

“Michael Jackson,” taken 1999, printed 2000.

This image is on display as a 96″ x 58″ C-print as part of the exhibition “Who Shot Rock & Roll” at the Brooklyn Museum through January 31, 2010. Read a preview of the exhibition on PDNPulse.