Acclaimed still photographer David James was given carte blanche to capture all aspects of the Indy 4 production. In turn, he takes us backstage to experience the world of movie making up close and personal. Not only does David James invite us backstage but also shares with us an artistic vision with his amazing photographs.
David James was born in England and began his photographic journey at MGM Studios in the Stills Department. After leaving London to travel to Hollywood, his life changed in 1992 when he heard of a historical project that would be filmed in Poland. The project was Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List and it was a photographer’s dream. Not only the opportunity to work with the Hollywood director, but a chance to create some artistic and documentary style photos with a film shot in classic black and white.
David James submitted his portfolio to Amblin Entertainment, a few days later he was awarded the job and the rest as they say is history. Now with his tenth project with Spielberg, David James has achieved a relationship with the director that shines through his images. Without such a relationship, David would never get some of the brilliant shots that are showcased on these pages. You can sense the respect and trust David is given and without it we never would have some of these wonderful images.
If there is any question on this, all is revealed in the first few pages with the preface by Steven Spielberg and the forward by Indiana Jones himself. Spielberg talks of his understanding of the power and importance of stills for a film production and how David James is in fact a member of his “on-set family.”
Harrison Ford continues the praises, who first worked with David on the 1999 film, Random Hearts. “He never intrudes on an actor or a director’s work,” Ford shares about David. Ford continues talking on David’s dedication. During one setup shot, David got a little too close to the action and Ford actually snapped him with the whip. That is in fact dedication and a war wound that will be a entertaining story to share at parties for the rest of his life.
Along with the photographs, David shares his insight on his process and his experience through the 80-day shoot. With the seven chapters, we learn on where and how the film was shot. From on-location to sets to the backlots of Universal Studios, David gives us a glimpse of the process. The one advantage David James had on this film, was the fact that Spielberg is still mostly an old school director. In that he still tries not to rely on green screen and special effects. If Spielberg can shoot it live, that is his preferred method, and the photos are all the better for it.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: A Photographic Journal, is for fans of Indiana Jones, but also for those who love photography. This book isn’t just a collection of stills from the film, but art. David James has an eye and his vision is captured beautifully in these pages. If you enjoy David's images be sure to go hunting for his previous books on the set of such acclaimed films like Schindler’s List, The Last Samurai and Superman Returns, to name just a few.
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