Read Time 5 minutes
Visual essay: Everybody wants to be a cat
The photo team at Darklight are very much what you would call “Cat People.” Between the three of us, we have a grand total of six feline companions. And all very much ‘on brand’ in terms of DARK/LIGHT aesthetic: from fluffy and white, to black and hairless. All this to say, it was about time we delved into the world of feline photography. Spanning 1948-2023; inspiration [and images] were taken from the grungy streets of Tokyo with Daido Moriyama’s Stray Cats, from Tim Walker’s pastel Persians printed in Vogue Italia, and famous faces like Audrey Hepburn, Leigh Bowery and Cher.
Midcentury Kitty on the Red Chair, Sue Abramson [2015]
Daniel Gebhart de Koekkoek
New York, Elliot Erwitt [1954]
From Stray Cats, Daido Moriyama
Pastel Cats, Northumberland, Tim Walker [2000] Courtesy of Vogue Italia
Audrey Hepburn and Simone, Richard Avedon [1959] Courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar
State of Grace, Juergen Teller [2019] Courtesy of Puss Puss
Cher with black cat, Richard Avedon [1972] Courtesy of Vogue US
FREDDIE MERCURY WITH HIS CAT TIFFANY
BY RICHARD YOUNG [1988]
From Dancing with Cats by Burton Silver, Heather Busch [1999]
Save the prawns, Alexis Ko [DARKLIGHT PRO] [2023]
Stephen Eichorn, courtesy of Puss Puss
Cats and plants, Stephen Eichorn
Before a cat will condescend
to treat you as a trusted friend,
some little token of esteem is needed,
like a dish of cream.
[T.S Eliot]
Dalí Atomicus, Philippe Halsman [1948]
Leigh Bowery with Gulliver, Michael Costiff [1986]
CAT SCANS, VIA. @welcome.jpg
Freja Beha Erichsen, Karl Lagerfeld, courtesy of Chanel
Onlookers at Fabulous Felines pet store. New York City, Walter Chandoha [1961]
HOLLYWOOD AUDITION FOR BLACK CATS [1964] – UNKNOWN PHOTOGRAPHER
Peter Bald, Jamie Campbell
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