Based on the response to my earlier post (here), there seems to be lots of interest in the work of photographer Reid Miles. Following is a bit of a Reid redux.
Recently, Jackie wrote to tell me she has 7 signed photographs by Mr. Miles. Her father, she told me was the director of Marketing for Code-A-Phone answering machines in 1980. According to her dad, Reid was very kind. No doubt–you don’t get this type of performance by actors and models if you haven’t created a positive vibe and if you don’t know how to make them comfortable and creative.
As you look through the images remember that in 1980 there was no Adobe Photoshop. You could retouch images with an airbrush and superimpose one image over another but it was a very expensive and time consuming process. So I can only imagine how many takes it took to get everyone’s expression just right in a single image. I’ve art directed hundreds of studio photo sessions and done some minor league directing and I can tell you it is not easy.
Be aware too, I think we can assume these are all sets constructed in a studio, not locations. Take a close look and you can see the attention to detail, it’s impressive.
As Jackie pointed out, the originals are signed by Miles. She told me too, that she and her siblings are interested in selling them. If anyone knows of a place they might be offered for sale and/or how much they might be worth, contact me and I’ll get you in touch with her.
Here’s how a few appeared in print…
And the collection…
Curious? Here’s the skinny on that 1980s Code-A-Phone (PDF)…
My original post: Meet Reid Miles: The Norman Rockwell of photographers……
Posted in October 2024 / Chuck Green is designer, a contributor to numerous magazines and websites, and the author of books published by Random House, Peachpit Press, and Rockport Publishers. All rights reserved. Copyright 2007-2024 Chuck Green. Contact.
Corrections:
I remember a casual exchange between cinematographer Dave Shore and Reid, on a commercial shoot at Miles’s studio (wish I could remember what street it was on) in Hollywood. Reid had a small still-life setup in a corner apart from the commercial shoot, that he was amusing himself with while we lit the set. He made a few 8×10 polaroids, and offered one to Dave. Dave made a motion to take it, and Reid pulled it away quickly. Then with his free hand he made a gesture, rubbing the fingertips over the thumb, which means “money money money”…
Do you recall what he would charge for one of those elaborate commercial images?
I had the pleasure of working for the infamous and wonderful Reid Miles. Is there a comprehensive book of his work?
He was a king among kings in the photo advertising world.
Thanks for speaking up Jean.
I, and I’m certain many others here, would love to hear about your experience with Reid. Sadly I have found very little online about Miles’ photographic work or his career. Neither have I found a comprehensive portfolio of his work.
I have several of the photos from his shoots that I was in.
One was Liza Minnelli’s Album cover; another a cigarette ad.
I have them framed….wouldn’t dream of selling them!
His studio was on Las Palmas….just north of Santa Monica Blvd; on the east side.