"My Life in the Movies" out in hardback

My Life in the Movies features still photographer's best Hollywood-era camera work

The still photographer behind some of the greatest images in cinema has just released his first book on his life in the movies.

Dave Friedman, the first and only still photographer to be voted into the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences and the man who took the last cinematic images of Steve McQueen and Bruce Lee, has just published My Life in the Movies (Dalton Watson Fine Books, 2008).

My Life in the Movies showcases the best of Friedman’s Hollywood-era camera work. It is also a trip back in time, with the photographer sharing his memories of what it was like to be in close quarters with some of Hollywood’s greatest, making films – and imagery – that will truly last forever.

After an apprenticeship as an assistant cameraman, Friedman went on to become one of the most in-demand still photographers in Hollywood from the late 1960s until the late 1980s. While shooting on location for dozens of Hollywood’s classic films of that era, he befriended stars such as Steve McQueen, Bruce Lee, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Travolta, Michael Caine, James Caan, Goldie Hawn, Cissy Spacek, Omar Shariff, Olivia Newton-John, Jack Nicholson, Richard Dreyfuss and Jaqueline Bissett. Some of his movie credits include Enter the Dragon, Grease, Brian’s Song, Summer of ’42, Carrie, Superman, Tom Horn, Rambo II, The Falcon and the Snowman, Rocky IV and The Running Man.

This 301-page hardback book is priced at $49. A special limited run of 2,500, which includes a slipcase and is signed by Friedman, was released earlier this year at $69.

To order a copy of My Life in the Movies, visit www.daltonwatson.com or call (847) 945-9603.

Dave Friedman signing at Book Soup

Book Soup hosts cinema's greatest still photographers at Oct. 18 signing

Dave Friedman, a still photographer behind some of the greatest images in cinema, will appear at a world famous book store on the Sunset Strip this week to promote his new book.

The signing will take place 2 p.m. Saturday, October 18 at Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. Friedman will sign copies of his new photo book My Life in the Movies (Dalton Watson Fine Books, 2008) .

My Life in the Movies showcases the best of Friedman’s Hollywood-era camera work. It is also a trip back in time, with the photographer sharing his memories of what it was like to be in close quarters with some of Hollywood’s greatest, making films – and imagery – that will truly last forever.

After an apprenticeship as an assistant cameraman, Friedman went on to become one of the most in-demand still photographers in Hollywood from the late 1960s until the late 1980s. While shooting on location for dozens of Hollywood’s classic films of that era, he befriended stars such as Steve McQueen, Bruce Lee, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Travolta, Michael Caine, James Caan, Goldie Hawn, Cissy Spacek, Omar Shariff, Olivia Newton-John, Jack Nicholson, Richard Dreyfuss and Jaqueline Bissett. Some of his movie credits include Brian’s Song, Summer of ’42, Little Fauss and Big Halsey, Enter the Dragon, Carrie, Grease, Superman, Rambo II, The Falcon and the Snowman, Rocky IV and The Running Man.

Friedman was also the still photographer for Steve McQueen’s last two motion pictures – Tom Horn and The Hunter – in which a chapter is devoted to each film and Enter the Dragon, which was Bruce Lee’s last film before his untimely death.

This 301-page book, priced at $69, is a special limited run of 2,500 and includes a slipcase and is signed by Friedman. Hardback books are also available at $49.

The cost to attend the signing is free, but an RSVP is required to guarantee admittance. Contact Tyson Cornell at (310) 659-3684 or e-mail him at tyson@booksoup.com to RSVP.

Publisher Dalton Watson will also take orders from buyers around the world who want to purchase a special limited edition with an inscription from Friedman. For more information, go to www.daltonwatson.com

Excerpt from "A Dose of Rock 'n' Roll"

John Lennon excerpt from A Dose of Rock 'n' Roll

By Nancy Lee Andrews

Ringo Starr wasn't the first Beatle in my life – that place is held by John Lennon. John and May Pang, his and Yoko’s secretary, moved from New York to Los Angeles in the fall of 1973 and were looking for a place to stay. Lou Adler, my boss at the time, offered his palatial Beverly Hills home for a few months. Having a Beatle in residence was a notch on his belt and provided him a lifetime of bragging rights.

Scribes and historians described this period as John's “Lost Weekend,” but I saw nothing to bolster that claim. During this time when John was with May, he was on a creative and productive streak. That eighteen-month period saw the creation of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Walls and Bridges and Pussycats as well as collaborations with Ringo Starr, Harry Nilsson, Elton John and David Bowie. The man was busy and anything but lost.

The three of us spent a lot of time hanging out in the studio (John was recording Rock 'n' Roll with Phil Spector), listening to music at the Troubador where Linda Ronstadt and the Eagles were regulars. He also enjoyed the eclectic offerings of Los Angeles. One night we went to a Bruce Lee movie at midnight with Bob Dylan. John loved eating at funky Chinese restaurants downtown because the food was great or getting hot dogs at Pinks or waiting in line for a delicious burrito from a Mexican stand. There was an unspoken understanding that a camera was not part of the comfort zone when he was among friends. It was about sharing time creatively that John loved.

On the other hand, John understood more than any other artist I knew how to convey his message through the media. John possessed one of the quickest minds, had a great wit and a big heart. He was on a higher metaphysical plane than anyone I had ever met. If you wanted to be around John, you checked your “bullshit” at the door or be prepared to get caustically busted. It’s no wonder that he and Harry Nilsson connected on so many levels, musically, politically and the heart. The Pussycats album was the ferment of these two great artists at that time… a classic.

John introduced me to one of the great loves of my life and for that I will be forever grateful. He saw a union between Ringo and me that could have been something to stand the test of time. Time is relative, time is what it is and for however long it lasts you drink it up, drain the cup and smile. I think that’s what John would say if he were here.

John Lennon came, he saw and he conquered, leaving a mark on our souls, some deeper on others. I love my personal mark he gave me. It’s extraordinary, but the night I got the phone call that John had died I was on my way out the door for some of that tasty Chinese food he so loved.

To order A Dose of Rock 'n' Roll, go to www.daltonwatson.com. To see more pictures, go to www.adoseofrocknroll.com.

Steve McQueen featured on IconicPhotos.com

Rare art prints of Steve McQueen available on IconicPhotos.com

IconicPhotos.com, a new Web site, has signed photographers Barbara McQueen and Dave Friedman, to an exclusive deal that offers limited edition prints of Steve McQueen to the public.

These images offer a privileged insight into a previously unseen side of one of the 20th Century's most charismatic and admired stars, and a rare treat for collectors and fans.

“For the past two years, the only way someone could purchase my limited edition prints were if you attended one of my photo exhibitions,” said Barbara McQueen. “Now they’re available to everyone online by going to www.iconicphotos.com.”

Barbara McQueen had carved a very successful career for herself as a fashion model when she met actor Steve McQueen in 1977. At a time when she was stepping back from the modeling industry, McQueen was equally beginning to turn his back on the trappings of Hollywood stardom. They were to spend the next three years together, marrying in 1980 the year of Steve's death. During that time, she captured wonderful and unique images that the very private McQueen allowed to no one else.

Barbara's photographs, approximately 400 in all, record a behind the scenes life of personal pleasures and enthusiasms — hitting the road in Steve's pickup truck, visiting collectors' shows and swap-meets, driving 700 miles for a rare World War I motorcycle, flying a vintage mail plane, and generally ducking out of Hollywood. About 150 of those photos were featured in her 2006 book, Steve McQueen: The Last Mile. (Dalton Watson Fine Books)

Dave Friedman is a world renowned photographer and motion picture Still Photographer known for his pictures of celebrities and cinema, racing and ballet. His collection also included photos of Bruce Lee, John Travolta, Robert Redford, Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson.

As the still photographer on Tom Horn and The Hunter, Friedman collection includes approximately 40 photos of the iconic superstar at work and play on the set of his last two pictures.
Friedman, who resides in southern California and is working on a photo book regarding his Hollywood years, called My Life In The Movies. (Dalton Watson Fine Books). The book is expected to have a May 2008 release date.

For more information, logon to www.IconicPhotos.com.