Rankin (photographer) explained

Rankin
Birth Name:John Rankin Waddell
Birth Place:Glasgow, Scotland
Alma Mater:London College of Printing
Spouse:
    Children:1

    John Rankin Waddell (born 1966), known as Rankin, is a British photographer and director who has photographed, amongst other subjects, Björk, Kate Moss, Madonna, David Bowie and Queen Elizabeth II.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

    The London Evening Standard described Rankin's fashion and portrait photography style as "high-gloss, highly sexed and hyper-perfect".[7]

    He has directed music videos, documentaries, a feature film, short films and commercials.[8] [9]

    Early life and education

    Rankin was born in Glasgow.[10] In 1976, his family moved to Yorkshire,[11] where he attended Thirsk School. They again relocated, to St Albans, where he studied at Beaumont School.[12]

    He worked as a hospital porter when he was 21,[13] and studied accounting at Brighton Polytechnic until he realised his interests lay elsewhere and dropped out.[14] [15]

    Rankin took up photography on a BTech course at Barnfield College in Luton, and then a BA course at the London College of Printing. He did not graduate from either.[16] [17]

    Celebrity portraits

    Rankin's portraiture includes:

    His portrait of "a drained-looking" Tony Blair, taken on the eve of the Iraq War for the cover of the Financial Times magazine was seen as controversial.[18] [19] [20]

    Music videos

    Rankin has directed music videos for artists including:-

    Magazines and books

    Rankin's works have appeared on the cover of magazines including Vogue, Elle, Harpers Bazaar, Vanity Fair, GQ and Rolling Stone.[21]

    In 1991, Rankin and fellow London College of Printing student Jefferson Hack launched the magazine Dazed & Confused. They drew upon their experience with earlier college magazine Untitled.[22] [23] [24]

    He launched his own fashion magazine, Rank, in 2000. Rankin is also publisher of AnOther Magazine and AnOther Man. In 2011, he founded Hunger.[25] [26]

    Rankin has published over forty photobooks including Female Nudes (1999), Rankin Male Nudes (2000), Breeding: A Study of Sexual Ambiguity (2004), and Beautiful (2007).[27]

    Television

    Rankin took part in 2008's television reality show Britain's Missing Top Model. The show followed eight young women with disabilities who competed for a modelling contract; photo shoot with Rankin, and Marie Claire magazine cover picture.[28]

    In 2011, Rankin was the photography teacher in Jamie's Dream School on Channel 4.[29] He then presented the BBC Four documentary America in Pictures – The Story of Life Magazine.[30]

    He travelled to South Africa for the 2012 BBC documentary South Africa in Pictures.[31]

    BBC Four broadcast his 2014 documentary Seven Photographs That Changed FashionI, in which he created tributes to images by Cecil Beaton, Erwin Blumenfeld, Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, Herb Ritts, David Bailey and Guy Bourdin. Rankin interviewed some of the original photographers, models and assistants, and used contemporary models.[32]

    Rankin is a regular photographer and guest judge on Germany's Next Topmodel.[33]

    He hosted the 2021 Great British Photography Challenge on BBC4.[34]

    Films

    Rankin has directed films including:

    He produced visual art for Spectre.

    Exhibitions

    For his 2009 Brick Lane exhibition Rankin Live, he set out to photograph 1,000 ordinary people, completing one portrait every fifteen minutes, each printed and hung within thirty minutes.[35] [36]

    Rankin has exhibited at galleries including MoMA, New York, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

    A Rankin retrospective exhibition was held at 180 Studios in London in 2024.[37]

    Commercials

    Rankin and his production team have created for brands including:-

    Campaigns

    Rankin has supported Women's Aid, providing photographs for their Blind Eye,[38] What's It Going To Take?, and Valentine's Day[39] campaigns.

    Nike and Product Red commissioned him to shoot their 2012 HIV/AIDS campaign, Lace Up, Save Lives.[40] [41]

    In 2019, Rankin designed a plastic waste monster and photographed it to support Surfrider Foundation's initiatives against plastic waste.[42] [43]

    During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Rankin shot portraits of NHS staff to celebrate their work.[44]

    He was a judge for 2021's Holocaust Memorial Day Trust Light Up The Darkness competition.[45]

    Rankin has photographed campaigns for Amnesty International; the Institute of Cancer Research; Oxfam; the Teenage Cancer Trust, and Breast Cancer Awareness

    In 2024 he photographed King Charles III[46] for the cover of The Big Issue[47] to highlight the Coronation Food Project.[48]

    Studio

    In 2009 Rankin developed Annroy, a contemporary building in Kentish Town . It was designed by Trevor Horne Architects and incorporates Rankin's photographic studio and gallery. The name is a portmanteau of his parents' given names.[49] [50] [51]

    Personal life

    Rankin was married to actress Kate Hardie from 1995 to 1998.[52] Since 2009, he has been married to model and yoga teacher Tuuli Shipster.[53]

    He is a supporter of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, where his wife volunteers and has donated a series of photographs to the charity.[54] [55]

    Awards

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: British Photographer Rankin Reveals How He Tickled the Queen LBBOnline. 2022-02-21. www.lbbonline.com. en. 21 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220221224702/https://www.lbbonline.com/news/british-photographer-rankin-reveals-how-he-tickled-the-queen. live.
    2. Web site: Queen Elizabeth II - National Portrait Gallery . 2022-03-03 . . en . 3 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220303213612/https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw65865/Queen-Elizabeth-II . live .
    3. News: 2018-10-29 . Unfashionably fashionable: the best of Rankin – in pictures . en-GB . . 2022-02-21 . 0261-3077 . 21 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220221231708/https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/gallery/2018/oct/29/unfashionably-fashionable-the-best-of-rankin-in-pictures . live .
    4. Web site: Freeman. Sarah. 2018-11-01. RANKIN. 2022-02-23. Beyond Magazine. en-GB. 23 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220223183414/https://www.beyondmags.com/rankin/. live.
    5. Web site: Rankin . 2022-03-01 . . en . 1 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220301202311/https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/artists/rankin . live .
    6. Web site: Young. Richard. 2017-02-13. Rankin: photographer of the famous. 2022-02-21. Great British Life. en-UK. 21 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220221223657/https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/people/rankin-photographer-of-the-famous-7205946. live.
    7. Web site: Tuuli, madly, deeply: Tuuli Shipster is truly shipshape. 2010-07-08. Eyre. Hermione. Evening Standard. 17 May 2022. 31 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220531022158/https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/tuuli-madly-deeply-tuuli-shipster-is-truly-shipshape-6489808.html. live.
    8. Web site: 2007-01-26 . The Lives of the Saints . 2022-03-17 . Peter . Bradshaw . The Guardian . en . 17 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220317192228/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/jan/26/comedy.drama . live .
    9. Web site: Rita Ora Facemelt . 2022-05-16 . HUNGER TV . en-GB . 17 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210417022111/https://www.hungertv.com/feature/rita-ora-facemelt/ . live .
    10. Web site: Roberts . Lesley . 2013-05-12 . Acclaimed photographer Rankin reveals his Glaswegian parents as the inspiration behind his new exhibition . 2022-02-19 . . en . 19 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220219184930/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/real-life/acclaimed-photographer-rankin-reveals-glaswegian-1884423 . live .
    11. Web site: Junior Meets: photographer Rankin. 2022-02-19. Junior Magazine. en. 19 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220219184848/https://www.juniormagazine.co.uk/lifestyle/junior-meets-photographer-rankin/. live.
    12. News: 2011-04-08. The Inventory: Rankin. Financial Times. subscription. 2022-02-19. 19 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220219184847/https://www.ft.com/content/f5e316a6-5ff0-11e0-a718-00144feab49a. live.
    13. Web site: Rankin talks through his stunning portraits of NHS workers . Thomas . Barrie . . 21 February 2022 . 4 July 2020 . 17 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220217193509/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/rankin-nhs-portraits-coronavirus . live .
    14. Web site: Rankin strikes a pose in University of Brighton talk . 2022-03-03 . . en-GB . 3 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220303214259/https://www.brighton.ac.uk/about-us/news-and-events/news/2018/11-29-rankin-strikes-a-pose-in-university-of-brighton-talk.aspx . live .
    15. Web site: Rankin Photography and Biography . 2022-03-03 . en-US . 16 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220216112824/https://www.famousphotographers.net/rankin . live .
    16. Web site: 2018-11-08. Rankin's best photograph: a supermodel in a cow mask. 2022-02-19. Frizzel. Nell. The Guardian. 20 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220220020633/https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/nov/08/rankin-best-photograph-supermodel-cow-farm-mask. live.
    17. Web site: Rankin gives us Six of the Best. 2022-02-19. whynow. 28 April 2021 . 19 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220219184906/https://whynow.co.uk/read/rankin-gives-us-six-of-the-best. live.
    18. News: Walsh . John . 2003-05-02 . Rankin: An image maker at the cutting edge of fashion The Independent . 2024-05-30 . The Independent . en.
    19. Web site: Flintoff . John-Paul . 2006-11-19 . Photographic detritus . 2024-05-30 . John-Paul Flintoff . en.
    20. News: 2024-05-30 . Rankin: A rebel who styles his own image . . 2024-05-30 . en . 0140-0460.
    21. Web site: 2010-09-06 . Eva Herzigova for Vanity Fair Spain September 2010 by Rankin . 2022-05-27 . Fashion Gone Rogue . en-US . 25 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200925175503/https://www.fashiongonerogue.com/eva-herzigova-vanity-fair-spain-september-2010-rankin/ . live .
    22. Web site: 2011-11-05. Still Dazed at 20: the gang who changed pop culture. 2022-02-19. Eva. Wiseman. The Guardian. 2 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211202002202/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/nov/05/dazed-confused-gang-still-cool. live.
    23. Web site: DAZED FOUNDER JEFFERSON HACK, A LIFETIME OF BREAKING NEW GROUNDS. 2 February 2018. 22 August 2021. 22 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210822094813/https://1granary.com/interviews/business-insiders/jefferson-hack/. live.
    24. Web site: Roy. Rebekah. 2010-05-04. Dazed & Confused founder Jefferson Hack speaks with the Business of Fashion. 2022-02-19. Drapers. en. 19 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220219184849/https://www.drapersonline.com/insight/comment/dazed-confused-founder-jefferson-hack-speaks-with-the-business-of-fashion. live.
    25. Web site: Milligan. Lauren. 2 February 2012. Rankin's Hunger. 16 February 2016. Vogue. 4 June 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160604075947/http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2012/02/02/rankin-launches-hunger-magazine. live.
    26. Web site: HUNGER TV | HUNGER MAGAZINE | Fashion, Beauty, Music, Photography, Art, Culture. HUNGER TV. 21 September 2021. 17 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210917183536/https://www.hungertv.com/. live.
    27. Web site: Info . 2022-05-21 . Rankin . en-US . 31 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220531005027/https://www.rankinphoto.co.uk/info . live .
    28. Web site: 2008-07-29 . And Our Winner Is... . 2022-02-28 . . en . 28 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220228182122/https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/fashion/shopping/and-our-winner-is-212055 . live .
    29. Web site: John. Crace. 2021-05-27. Jamie's Dream School celebrity reports. 25 February 2011. The Guardian. 27 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210527151144/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/feb/25/jamies-dream-school-celebrity-reports. live.
    30. Web site: 2021-05-27. BBC Four - America in Pictures: The Story of Life Magazine. BBC. 27 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210527151300/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b017svd6. live.
    31. Web site: South Africa in pictures: Rankin's view through a lens. Matilda. Battersby. 7 October 2015. The Independent. 18 September 2021. 18 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210918094222/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/south-africa-pictures-rankin-s-view-through-lens-5536533.html. live.
    32. Web site: BBC Four - Seven Photographs that Changed Fashion. BBC. 21 September 2021. 10 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171010095116/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00gq75c. live.
    33. News: 2021-10-03. Oliver. Adey. Germany's next top model: Heidi Klum once again relies on star photographer Rankin. The Latest News . 13 November 2020 . 22 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210822092237/https://gettotext.com/germanys-next-top-model-heidi-klum-once-again-relies-on-star-photographer-rankin/. live.
    34. Web site: 2021-05-24. TV tonight: Rankin heads the Great British Photography Challenge. 2022-02-19. The Guardian. en. 20 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220220033005/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/may/24/tv-tonight-rankin-heads-the-great-british-photography-challenge. live.
    35. News: Anthony . James . 2009-02-12 . In pictures: Rankin Live! preview . en-GB . The Guardian . 2022-03-03 . 0261-3077 . 24 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201749/https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2009/feb/12/rankin-live-preview-photographs . live .
    36. Web site: 2009-07-17 . Rankin Live . Laura . Milligan . 2022-03-03 . British Vogue . en-GB . 3 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220303201346/https://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/rankin-unveils-live-exhibition . live .
    37. News: Donnell . Chloe Mac . 2024-05-27 . Spray-painting Kate Moss and Jude Law up a lamp post: Rankin in retrospect – in pictures . 2024-05-30 . the Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
    38. Web site: Blind Eye. Women's Aid. 22 August 2021. 22 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210822092908/https://www.womensaid.org.uk/what-we-do/blind-eye/. live.
    39. News: Women's Aid sends alternative Valentine's message. Mark. Sweney. 14 February 2007. The Guardian. August 22, 2021. 22 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210822092907/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/feb/14/advertising.uknews. live.
    40. Web site: Nike RED - Lace Up. Save Lives. . 2022-02-28 . SoccerBible . 28 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220228183051/https://www.soccerbible.com/news-archive/2009/11/nike-red-lace-up-save-lives-30-11-09/ . live .
    41. Web site: Nike x (RED) — — Colin Cornwell . 2022-02-28 . colincornwell.com . en . 28 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220228183051/https://colincornwell.com/Nike-x-RED . live .
    42. Web site: Rankin Creates Plastic Monster to Rampage Social Media for Ocean Pollution Campaign LBBOnline. 2022-02-19. www.lbbonline.com. en. 19 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220219184850/https://www.lbbonline.com/news/rankin-creates-plastic-monster-to-rampage-social-media-for-ocean-pollution-campaign. live.
    43. Web site: Rankin's Latest Campaign Against Plastic Pollution Goes Viral. August 12, 2019. Look To The Stars. August 12, 2019. 21 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190821121058/https://www.looktothestars.org/news/19216-rankins-latest-campaign-against-plastic-pollution-goes-viral. live.
    44. Alexander. Ella. 2020-07-03. Rankin celebrates the NHS with a powerful portrait series. 2022-02-19. Harper's Bazaar. 2 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220602025950/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/culture/g33083682/rankin-nhs-portrait-series/. live.
    45. Web site: Holocaust Memorial Day Trust | One Day Photography Exhibition. Holocaust Memorial Day (UK). 21 February 2022. 21 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220221111731/https://www.hmd.org.uk/take-part-in-holocaust-memorial-day/young-people/one-day-photography-exhibition/. live.
    46. News: Peacock . Francesca . 2023-11-10 . Rankin's portrait of King Charles is a fascinating mixture of old and new . 2024-04-05 . The Telegraph . en-GB . 0307-1235 . 5 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240405103714/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/photography/what-to-see/rankin-portrait-photograph-king-charles/ . live .
    47. Web site: MacKenzie . Steven . 2023-11-15 . Behind the scenes of Rankin's historic portrait of King Charles for Big Issue . 2024-04-05 . The Big Issue . en-GB . 5 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240405103714/https://www.bigissue.com/culture/art/king-charles-big-issue-rankin-portrait-behind-the-scenes/ . live .
    48. Web site: Coronation Food Project . 2024-04-05 . King Charles III Charitable Fund . en-GB . 5 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240405103716/https://www.kccf.org.uk/coronation-food-project/ . live .
    49. Web site: Trevor Horne - Rankin - Annroy. 2022-02-21. trevorhorne.com. en-US. 21 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220221223658/https://trevorhorne.com/rankin-annroy. live.
    50. Web site: 2020-11-13 . Annroy Building, Kentish Town NW5 . 2022-05-16 . Oliver's Town . en-GB . 2 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220602025956/https://oliverstown.com/property/annroy-building-kentish-town-nw5-2/ . live .
    51. Web site: John Rankin WADDELL personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK . 2022-05-17 . . en . 17 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220517114332/https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/gRHONWyK703BtKErfQlh8fM7MJs/appointments . live .
    52. News: The Interview: I learnt a lot from mum and dad's break-up; Actress Kate Hardie's Early Years As the Daughter of Tv Star Bill Oddie Taught Her Some Valuable Lessons . Ivan . 1999-05-23 . Waterman . 2022-02-19 . . 26 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220126142414/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+Interview%3a+I+learnt+a+lot+from+mum+and+dad%27s+break-up%3b+ACTRESS...-a060171082 . live .
    53. News: Devine. Rachel. Rankin is Tuuli thankful for his lot. en. 2022-02-19. 0140-0460. subscription. The Times. 16 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211016125409/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rankin-is-tuuli-thankful-for-his-lot-5j33r2mfw7r. live.
    54. Web site: Battersea reveals Rankin collaboration. 2022-03-17. en-US. Samantha. Loveday. Licensing Source. 7 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220407005558/https://www.licensingsource.net/battersea-reveals-rankin-collaboration/. live.
    55. Web site: Passion for pets: Rankin's celebrity portrait series inspires giving back to pets in need . 2022-03-17 . . en . 10 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220510221349/https://www.bluecross.org.uk/news/passion-for-pets-rankins-celebrity-portrait-series-inspires-giving-back-to-pets-in-need . live .
    56. Web site: 2021-09-21. Honorary Fellowship. Royal Photographic Society. 12 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210412164716/https://rps.org/about/awards/history-and-recipients/honorary-fellowship/. live.
    57. Web site: 2021-09-21. Results 2015 - London Fashion Film Festival. London Fashion Film Festival. 19 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211019193038/https://www.londonfashionfilmfestival.com/2015. live.
    58. Web site: 2021-09-21. Mercedes-Benz Bokeh Fashion Film Festival Set To Raise The Bar Again. 7 March 2016. Life Retreat. 21 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210921104705/https://www.liferetreat.co.za/mercedes-benz-bokeh-fashion-film-festival-set-raise-bar/. live.
    59. Web site: Bambina. Wise. 2021-09-21. Fashion, Film and Scandal at South Africa Fashion Events. 29 April 2016. Women's Wear Daily. 21 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210921104701/https://wwd.com/fashion-news/designer-luxury/fashion-film-south-africa-fashion-week-10420724/. live.
    60. Web site: Rosie. Fitzmaurice. Gareth. Richman. 2021-09-21. British Photography Awards 2019: stunning winning photos unveiled. 2 February 2019. Evening Standard. 21 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210921103427/https://www.standard.co.uk/escapist/travel/winners-of-british-photography-awards-2019-a4051031.html. live.

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