RIP music photographer and photo agency founder Michael Putland who has died aged 72. He died peacefully at home in the UK after a short illness.
The Retna photo agency was established in 1977 by Michael – The photo collection includes celebrities and pop culture icons, along with fashion and event images from the 60s to early 80s. It includes rare early photos of the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, Elton John, David Bowie, ABBA, KISS, Bruce Springsteen and hundreds of other major performing artists, as well fashion models including Heidi Klum and other celebrities and icons.
While Michael’s photography is now with Getty Images – in 2005 Retna UK and Retna US were sold and became separate entities – Corbis then represented Retna US in 2009. Retna UK went to Photoshot (now Avalon)
In January 2019 the assets of Retna USA were acquired by Globe Photos including more than 750,000 negatives and 250,000 vintage prints, as well as the Retna Photo Agency name and its database of contacts and photographers. Earlier this year Globe Photos partnered with MediaPunch.
Michael was a legend and an inspiration to many young photographers growing up in the 70’s era. He sure was for me. I would see his brilliant photos weekly in the British music paper Sounds. There were so many amazing photos, my favorite was Bryan Ferry in tennis shorts. I always wanted to meet Mike. RIP.
How do you even put words fitting enough for this man? Michael was not only brilliant but he had a kind heart, a love for photography and all that were part of it. He understood the changes in this industry and I welcomed and respect his advise back in the day and more recently. We lost one of the greats!! RIP sweet Michael!
Sigh. Michael was one of a kind. A gentle soul with unbound talent and creativity. Always so down to earth. It was an honor to work for him.
I first met Michael on 29th January, 2016 at Grays of Westminster exclusively Nikon shop in London. Michael introduced himself and told me that between 1969 and 1973 he set up his first studio and in the basement of my shop. He said he had to buy his Nikon D810 from us. He then asked if I could take him downstairs to see where his studio was based. He said if you stand there Gray that is where I shot Alice Cooper. He told me wonderful stories of his early struggles to make it. And make it he did as by 1971 he was the official photographer for the British music magazine Disc and Music Echo. His first assignment that year was to photograph Mick Jagger in London. He went on to work with some of the most remarkable musicians of the twentieth century. His body of work covers ABBA to Zappa.
Michael was a gentleman of the old school and one of the kindest men I have ever met. It was an honour to meet him and we continue to feature his work in every issue of Nikon Owner magazine and courtesy of his widow Sophie. In 2022 he was awarded the Exceptional Achievement in Photography at the AP Awards Ceremony (the Oscars of the photographic industry) which was accepted by Sophie Putland.