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the {warehouse} magazine recently connected with famed paparazzo Ron Galella. Known by many as the Godfather of Paparazzi, he gave us a glimpse into his world and the dynamic business that is the Paparazzo.

Walk through our interview with a new segment called {w}5 - who/what/when/where/why..and sometimes how. Because of our celebrity culture and our seemingly insatiable thirst to know about the private lives of public figures, we decided to ask Mr. Galella about his career and the paparazzi in general.

{w}5 – THE MAN

who was your inspiration to get into this field of work given that you are known as the pioneer paparazzo?

Henri Cartier Bresson and Eugene W. Smith were the two great photojournalists who inspired me to be a photojournalist. I developed my own way of seeing, composing and using my art training. I started out majoring in art in high school then I did ceramics before enlisting in the US Air Force where I got my start in photography for four years. After discharge, under the GI Bill, I enrolled in the Art Center College of Design and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in photojournalism.

what’s the craziest {most dangerous, most risky, most illegal} thing you have done to get a picture?

The craziest, most dangerous, most risky, most illegal thing was to pay a watchman to lock me up one Friday afternoon to Monday morning in a rat-infested warehouse on a the Thames in London. I received a tip that Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton are having a party on their yacht, The Kalisma which was moored adjacent to the warehouse. This warehouse provided the only vantage point in photographing the yacht. I had to hide from the police which had a station adjacent to the warehouse. Because of the rats I slept on the roof the first night, then slept on the fifth floor thereafter. I got my pictures Saturday afternoon when the Burtons arrived with their children and other actors for the party. I found out later the occasion was their secretary’s wedding celebration where Elizabeth Taylor was maid of honor and Richard was the best man. The exclusive pictures ran double page in the National Enquirer. When I was paid only $400, I preferred to keep on photographing rather than spend time selling on the phone. There were no cell phones then.

when did you know that your pictures were a powerful force in the entertainment industry?

I knew that my pictures were a powerful force when Betty Burke of Today is Sunday gave assignments and published my pictures. Also, in 1976 after seeing my second book “Offguard”, the London Daily assigned me to cover British celebrities for Ron Galella’s Gallery in their newspaper for three months. Also, Life Magazine did a five-page cover story “Jackie Watching”.

why were you able to get the shots that you got? Was it luck, timing, tenacity, all of the above or something different altogether?

In shooting great pictures, most of the time I was there – the right place, the right time but luck was a factor. Example, when I got my most famous photo of Jackie, “Windblown Jackie” which I refer to as my Mona Lisa, I followed her from her apartment. When she walked up Madison Avenue, I hopped a taxi to catch up to her and hid in the back seat, the taxi driver blew his horn and that was luck when she turned her head and I got the shot.

where would you be now if you never became a paparazzi?

If I never became a paparazzo, my second love was being a ceramic artist. In 1955 I had to decide whether to go to ceramic art college or Art Center for Design under the GI Bill. If I went to ceramic art college I probably would not be as well known. I believe I made the right choice. Photography is the modern art not painting or sculpture.

how does it feel knowing that you were at the forefront of a profession that’s become one of the most controversial businesses in the world?

My profession is controversial because some celebrities like Jackie and Greta Garbo consider themselves private. When I started photographing celebrities it was more of one to one not like it is today where the photographers are gang-banging sometimes even harassing celebrities. However, most of the celebrities who complain are hypocrites because they really love the publicity and the more they object receiving more publicity.

{w}5 – THE BUSINESS

who is the next Godfather of Paparazzi, the next pioneer paparazzo, the next Ron Galella – or is there no such thing?

There is no other Ron Galella because I’m unique. I m educated and have great passion and love for my work. Most of these photographers do it for the money. I even help magazines of my competitors because they do not have what it takes – love and passion like myselft.

what does the future hold for paparazzi given tabloid magazines like TMZ that use video and amateur photography?

The future of tabloid magazines like TMZ that use video and amateur photography diminish the market. There is always a market for good pictures from professionals. For instance, TV news give only headline news but we still rely on newspapers and magazines for the true complete story. To arrive at the truth we must compare the many sources.

when is it inappropriate to take photos of celebrities or public figures?

My approach to picture taking is to shoot fast trying to capture celebrities off-guard and when a celebrity objects, I stop. I’m one up on them because I shoot fast. With Marlon Brando, he never gave me a warning, he just punched me off-guard.

why should we defend the paparazzi given the negative things that have happened in the industry – i.e. Diana’s death?

We defend the paparazzi because we report what we see and have respect for the truth. Princess Diana died as a result of a drunk and drugged driver who lost control of the vehicle. Also there should be some blame towards the security and Mohamed Al Fayed who tried to outwit the photographer by planting the limo in front of the building and escaping in the back. We know that Princess Diana loves publicity and would have acquiesced. She has always relied on the paparazzi for all her benefits which made her famous. Most of times security is to blame for incidents with the paparazzi.

where is this industry headed? Celebrities are suing & attacking paparazzi, the public sees the word “paparazzi” as a four letter word…and yet the world wide consumption of these types of pictures does not seem to slow down.

Just like Jackie, other celebrities and their publicists are all hypocrites. They all love publicity and all the masses are curious and want to know about celebrities. Suing and fighting only creates more interest and news.

how is technology – i.e. photoshop, videos, the internet – changing the paparazzi

Harvey Levin, a lawyer and head of TMZ, is an internet god with his speed and up-to-date accounts on celebrity activity. I object to photoshop because my photographs capture realism. We should all have a greater respect for truth. But truth is subjective seen through the eyes of the photographer. He selects what he wants. The only objective photos are taken with a rocket with a camera. {w}

Want to see Ron Galella's work for yourself? Visit the Centaur Theatre for Viva Italia - celebrating 50 years of his photographs. The exhibit runs from October 6 until December 6.