In Newton's Footsteps

You see on the cover that this issue is dedicated to the work of Helmut Newton. More than anyone who shoots a camera, Newton opened the doors to public perception and acceptance of nude photography, and helped establish the genre as one of the most controversial art forms of our times.

THE NEW NUDE has been embraced warmly by our readers and I would like to thank those who have sent their reflective and positive feedback. It is a pleasure to read your letters and see that our efforts are being appreciated.

We have now established distribution in more than twenty countries, including such mega markets as the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Africa and the UK. Thanks to the growing readership, we have even managed to move our publishing activities out of my garage in Portugal to a leading worldwide distributor in London.

Just as Helmut Newton took nude photography into places few at the time dreamed was possible, our mission at THE NEW NUDE is to do just that, to follow in Newton's footsteps, to open doors and bring you the best in nude photography.

Inspiration for a photographer comes from many places.
I was inspired first by guru Richard Avedon, who took me under his wing as an assistant in New York. Soon I discovered the provocative work of Helmut Newton. One of the things that impressed me and stuck in my mind was that Newton had a special working relationship with June who, more than just being his wife, was his muse and his model. I have developed by chance, or by good fortune, the same rapport with my wife Luba, my model and consultant and, like June Newton, an accomplished photographer in her own right.

Newton died at the wheel of his Cadillac in Beverly Hills in 2004, a symbolic end to a remarkable career. Whenever I want to get in touch with his spirit, I take Luba to Dave’s, June and Helmut's favourite Chinese restaurant in Paris, where the walls are crammed with works by the great master and other rarities. This restaurant is a piece of photographic history. Just imagine, you can fill up on dumplings and relive Newton moments at the same time.

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