British photographer (born 1966)
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 .
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
The
London Evening Standard described Rankin's fashion and portrait photography style as "high-gloss, highly sexed and hyper-perfect".
[12]
He has directed music videos, documentaries, a feature film, short films and commercials.
[13]
[14]
[15]
[16]
Early life and education
Rankin was born in
Glasgow .
[17] In 1976, his family moved to
Yorkshire ,
[18] where he attended
Thirsk School . They again relocated, to
St Albans , where he studied at
Beaumont School .
[1]
He worked as a hospital porter when he was 21,
[19] and studied accounting at
Brighton Polytechnic until he realised his interests lay elsewhere and dropped out.
[2]
[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.
[3]
[20]
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.
[46]
[47]
[48]
Music videos
Rankin has directed music videos for artists including:-
Magazines and books
Dazed & Confused , published spring 2020
Rankin's works have appeared on the cover of magazines including
Vogue ,
Elle ,
Harpers Bazaar ,
Vanity Fair ,
GQ and
Rolling Stone .
[21]
[23]
[37]
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 .
[54]
[55]
[56]
He launched his own fashion magazine, Rank , in 2000. Rankin is also publisher of
AnOther Magazine and
AnOther Man . In 2011, he founded Hunger .
[57]
[58]
Rankin has published over forty
photobooks including Female Nudes (1999), Rankin Male Nudes (2000), Breeding: A Study of Sexual Ambiguity (2004), and Beautiful (2007).
[50]
[24]
Performance by Rankin , published in 2021
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.
[59]
In 2011, Rankin was the photography teacher in
Jamie's Dream School on
Channel 4 .
[60] He then presented the
BBC Four documentary America in Pictures – The Story of
Life Magazine .
[61]
He travelled to South Africa for the 2012
BBC documentary South Africa in Pictures .
[62]
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.
[29]
Rankin is a regular photographer and guest judge on
Germany's Next Topmodel .
[63]
He hosted the 2021 Great British Photography Challenge on
BBC4 .
[64]
Films
Rankin has directed films including:
The Lives of the Saints (2006)
[13]
[14]
Hardwire (Short 2013)
[65]
Balance (Short 2014)
[66]
He produced visual art for
Spectre .
[23]
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.
[67]
[68]
Rankin has exhibited at galleries including
MoMA, New York , and the
Victoria and Albert Museum .
[50]
A Rankin retrospective exhibition was held at 180 Studios in London in 2024.
[69]
Commercials
Rankin and his production team have created for brands including:-
Campaigns
Rankin photographing the
Surfrider Foundation Plastic Monster.
Rankin has supported
Women's Aid , providing photographs for their Blind Eye ,
[72]
What's It Going To Take? , and Valentine's Day
[73] campaigns.
Nike and
Product Red commissioned him to shoot their 2012
HIV/AIDS campaign, Lace Up, Save Lives .
[74]
[75]
[15]
In 2019, Rankin designed a plastic waste monster and photographed it to support
Surfrider Foundation 's initiatives against
plastic waste .
[76]
[77]
During the
COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Rankin shot portraits of
NHS staff to celebrate their work.
[19]
[78]
He was a judge for 2021's
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust Light Up The Darkness competition.
[79]
Rankin has photographed campaigns for
Amnesty International ; the
Institute of Cancer Research ;
Oxfam ; the
Teenage Cancer Trust , and
Breast Cancer Awareness
[5]
In 2024 he photographed King Charles III
[80] for the cover of The Big Issue
[81] to highlight the Coronation Food Project.
[82]
Studio
Annroy studio
In 2009 Rankin developed Annroy , a contemporary building in
Kentish Town (
51°32′57″N 0°08′52″W / 51.5492°N 0.1478°W / 51.5492; -0.1478 ). 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.
[83]
[84]
[85]
Personal life
Rankin was married to actress
Kate Hardie from 1995 to 1998.
[4] Since 2009, he has been married to model and yoga teacher Tuuli Shipster.
[86]
He is a supporter of
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home , where his wife volunteers and has donated a series of photographs to the charity.
[87]
[88]
Awards
References
^
a
b
c
"The Inventory: Rankin" .
Financial Times . 8 April 2011.
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"Rankin strikes a pose in University of Brighton talk" .
University of Brighton .
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^
a
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c Frizzel, Nell (8 November 2018).
"Rankin's best photograph: a supermodel in a cow mask" . The Guardian .
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^
a
b Waterman, Ivan (23 May 1999).
"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" .
Sunday Mirror .
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e Argyriades, Marcia (5 November 2009).
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^
"Queen Elizabeth II - National Portrait Gallery" .
National Portrait Gallery .
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^
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b Barrie, Thomas (4 July 2020).
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^
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b
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^
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d Lau, Susie (10 November 2009).
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g Clark, Charles (12 May 2016).
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^
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b
c
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e
f
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h
i
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k Grimes, Gary (19 June 2020).
"Behind the Lens with Rankin, the Bad Boy of Celebrity Photography" . Interview Magazine .
Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022 .
^
a
b
"LeBron James Stars in Audemars Piguet Video directed by Rankin" . DSCENE . 30 January 2018.
Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022 .
^
a
b
c
d
"Destroy, 2009" . Rankin .
Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022 .
^
a
b
c
d
e
f
"BBC Four - Seven Photographs that Changed Fashion" . BBC .
Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2021 .
^
a
b
c
d
e Fulton, Rick (28 February 2019).
"Rankin snapped beauties including Kate Moss but Gordon Brown is his top pick" . Daily Record .
Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022 .
^
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b
c
d
e
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^
a
b
c Young, Richard (13 February 2017).
"Rankin: photographer of the famous" . Great British Life .
Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022 .
^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h Deeks, Sarah (18 June 2010).
"Portraits By Rankin" . British Vogue .
Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2022 .
^ Raisbeck, Fiona (15 January 2013).
"Cara Delevingne and Rita Ora pucker up for steamy new Rankin shoot" . Marie Claire .
Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2022 .
^
a
b
c
d
e
f Roberts, Paul G. (10 August 2015).
"Living Legends" . MASTERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY . Vol. 10. Fashion Industry Broadcast.
ISBN
978-1-62590-498-0 .
^
a
b
c
d
e
"Rankin Interview: Britain's Greatest Photographer - Art - Culture" . Luxury London . 4 February 2019.
Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2022 .
^
a
b
"Eva Herzigova for Vanity Fair Spain September 2010 by Rankin" . Fashion Gone Rogue . 6 September 2010.
Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2022 .
^ Lewry, Fraser (1 April 2022).
"Mick Jagger releases creepy new solo single Strange Game" . loudersound .
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a
b
c
d
"TV stars pose without makeup for charity campaign" . ITV News . 17 September 2013.
Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022 .
^
"Jay-Z by Rankin" . Clash Magazine . 2 September 2009.
Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022 .
^
a
b
c
d
e Maresca, Cecilia (10 November 2010).
"Rankin Designers in the 21st Century" .
Vogue Italia .
Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022 .
^
a
b Cadman, Molly (27 November 2015).
"Rankins Destroy Project" . Molly Cadman's Photography .
Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022 .
^
"Rita Ora Rocks Curly Hair for Hunger Magazine by Rankin" . Fashion Gone Rogue . 26 June 2015.
Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2022 .
^
a
b Ovchar, Illya (4 September 2021).
"World-Famous Photographer Rankin on Inspiration, Great Images, and More: Exclusive Fstoppers Interview" . Fstoppers .
Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022 .
^
a
b
"AMG GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE" . RANKIN FILM .
Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022 .
^ Walsh, John (2 May 2003).
"Rankin: An image maker at the cutting edge of fashion | The Independent" . The Independent . Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ Flintoff, John-Paul (19 November 2006).
"Photographic detritus" . John-Paul Flintoff . Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^
"Rankin: A rebel who styles his own image" . 30 May 2024.
ISSN
0140-0460 . Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^
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"The Enemy's No Time For Tears by Rankin & Chris" . www.promonews.tv .
Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022 .
^
"Nelly Furtado - "Say It Right" Directed by Rankin &…" . videos.antville.org .
Archived from the original on 6 April 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2022 .
^ Knight, David (14 November 2008).
"Robyn - Rankin and Chris HSI" . Promo News .
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^ Wiseman, Eva (5 November 2011).
"Still Dazed at 20: the gang who changed pop culture" . The Guardian .
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^
"DAZED FOUNDER JEFFERSON HACK, A LIFETIME OF BREAKING NEW GROUNDS" . 2 February 2018.
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"Dazed & Confused founder Jefferson Hack speaks with the Business of Fashion" .
Drapers .
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^ Milligan, Lauren (2 February 2012).
"Rankin's Hunger" .
Vogue .
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^
"HUNGER TV | HUNGER MAGAZINE | Fashion, Beauty, Music, Photography, Art, Culture" . HUNGER TV .
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^
"And Our Winner Is..."
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^
"BBC Four - America in Pictures: The Story of Life Magazine" .
BBC .
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^ Battersby, Matilda (7 October 2015).
"South Africa in pictures: Rankin's view through a lens" .
The Independent .
Archived from the original on 18 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021 .
^ Adey, Oliver (13 November 2020).
"Germany's next top model: Heidi Klum once again relies on star photographer Rankin" . The Latest News .
Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021 .
^
"TV tonight: Rankin heads the Great British Photography Challenge" . The Guardian . 24 May 2021.
Archived from the original on 20 February 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022 .
^
"Hardwire" . IMDb .
Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022 .
^
"Balance" .
IMDb . 17 May 2014.
Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022 .
^ Anthony, James (12 February 2009).
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ISSN
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^ Milligan, Laura (17 July 2009).
"Rankin Live" . British Vogue .
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^ Donnell, Chloe Mac (27 May 2024).
"Spray-painting Kate Moss and Jude Law up a lamp post: Rankin in retrospect – in pictures" . the Guardian .
ISSN
0261-3077 . Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^
a
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"rankin & chris - HSI London" . Web Archive . 22 February 2007. Archived from
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^
a
b
"The latest issue of Leica's S Magazine" . Leica Rumors . 27 November 2012.
Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2022 .
^
"Blind Eye" . Women's Aid .
Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021 .
^ Sweney, Mark (14 February 2007).
"Women's Aid sends alternative Valentine's message" . The Guardian .
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^
"Nike RED - Lace Up. Save Lives" . SoccerBible .
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^
"Nike x (RED) — — Colin Cornwell" . colincornwell.com .
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^
"Rankin Creates Plastic Monster to Rampage Social Media for Ocean Pollution Campaign | LBBOnline" . www.lbbonline.com .
Archived from the original on 19 February 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022 .
^
"Rankin's Latest Campaign Against Plastic Pollution Goes Viral" . Look To The Stars . 12 August 2019.
Archived from the original on 21 August 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2019 .
^ Alexander, Ella (3 July 2020).
"Rankin celebrates the NHS with a powerful portrait series" .
Harper's Bazaar .
Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022 .
^
"Holocaust Memorial Day Trust | One Day Photography Exhibition" .
Holocaust Memorial Day (UK) .
Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022 .
^ Peacock, Francesca (10 November 2023).
"Rankin's portrait of King Charles is a fascinating mixture of old and new" . The Telegraph .
ISSN
0307-1235 .
Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024 .
^ MacKenzie, Steven (15 November 2023).
"Behind the scenes of Rankin's historic portrait of King Charles for Big Issue" . The Big Issue .
Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024 .
^
"Coronation Food Project" . King Charles III Charitable Fund .
Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024 .
^
"Trevor Horne - Rankin - Annroy" . trevorhorne.com .
Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022 .
^
"Annroy Building, Kentish Town NW5" . Oliver's Town . 13 November 2020.
Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022 .
^
"John Rankin WADDELL personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK" .
Companies House .
Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022 .
^ Devine, Rachel.
"Rankin is Tuuli thankful for his lot" .
The Times .
ISSN
0140-0460 .
Archived from the original on 16 October 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2022 .
^ Loveday, Samantha.
"Battersea reveals Rankin collaboration" . Licensing Source .
Archived from the original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022 .
^
"Passion for pets: Rankin's celebrity portrait series inspires giving back to pets in need" .
Blue Cross .
Archived from the original on 10 May 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022 .
^
"Honorary Fellowship" .
Royal Photographic Society .
Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021 .
^
"Results 2015 - London Fashion Film Festival" .
London Fashion Film Festival .
Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021 .
^
"Mercedes-Benz Bokeh Fashion Film Festival Set To Raise The Bar Again" . Life Retreat . 7 March 2016.
Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021 .
^ Wise, Bambina (29 April 2016).
"Fashion, Film and Scandal at South Africa Fashion Events" .
Women's Wear Daily .
Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021 .
^ Fitzmaurice, Rosie; Richman, Gareth (2 February 2019).
"British Photography Awards 2019: stunning winning photos unveiled" .
Evening Standard .
Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021 .
External links
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