I am very attracted by bad taste-it is a lot more exciting than that supposed good taste which is nothing more than a standardized way of looking at things.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that unconventional or 'bad' taste can lead to more exciting creativity than conforming to traditional standards of good taste.
Helmut Newton emphasizes the allure of embracing bad taste in art and aesthetics, arguing that it sparks excitement and originality. He critiques the notion of good taste as merely a monotonous standardization that stifles creativity and encourages a narrow view of beauty, suggesting that true innovation comes from breaking norms and exploring the unconventional.
In practice
In a speech about creativity in art, one might say, 'As Helmut Newton once stated, 'I am very attracted by bad taste.' This reflects how breaking away from norms can often lead to more intriguing results.
I have always avoided photographing in the studio. A woman does not spend her life sitting or standing in front of a seamless white paper background. Although it makes my life more complicated, I prefer to take my camera out into the street... and places that are out of bounds for photographers have always had a special attraction for me.
I like photographing women who appear to know something of life. I recently did a session with a great beauty, a movie star in in her thirties. I photographed her twice within three weeks and the second time I said: "You're much more beautiful today than you were three weeks ago." And she replied: "But I'm also three weeks older.
They often ask me to shoot for them. But I say no. I think an old guy like me ought not take pages away from young photographers who need the exposure.
I hate good taste. It's the worst thing that can happen to a creative person.
The point of my photography has always been to challenge myself, to go a little further than my Germanic discipline and Teutonic nature would traditionally permit me to.
On those who overanalyze his music: When you tear the wings off a butterfly, it is no longer a butterfly
The most difficult thing for me is a portrait. You have to try and put your camera between the skin of a person and his shirt.
I've made it my goal to revolutionise pop music.
When you begin a picture you often make some pretty discoveries. You must be on guard against these. Destroy the thing, do it over several times. In each destroying of a beautiful discovery, the artist does not really suppress it, but rather condenses it, makes it more substantial. What comes out in the end is the result of discarded finds. Otherwise you become your own connoisseur.
I've just finished my 20th book this past year and I'm working on my 21st book about the Middle East right now that I'll finish this year. And I get up early in the morning and when I get tired of the computer and tired of doing research, I walk 20 steps out to my woodshop and I either build furniture or paint paintings. I'm an artist too.
There's enough songs for people to listen to, if they want to listen to songs. For every man, woman and child on earth, they could be sent, probaby, each of them, a hundred records, and never be repeated. There's enough songs. Unless someone's gonna come along with a pure heart and has something to say. That's a different story.
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