Adam Cooper on the Making of Blinds & Shutters

Adam Cooper, son of photographer Michael Cooper, has shared his experience working on the cult classic, Blinds & Shutters. With over 600 photographs and commentary from 93 legendary contributors, Blinds & Shutters is a unique insider's view of the Sixties through the lens of Michael Cooper.

Michael Cooper died tragically in 1973. Before he passed away, he conceived the idea for Blinds & Shutters and expressed a wish that it should be published with a little help from his friends. In an interview with Digital Camera World, Adam tells of his commitment in finding a publisher that would produce a book true to his father's vision.

'It was only when I was introduced to Genesis, which publishes limited editions, that I met people who really understood what I was trying to do and who were prepared to take the chance on the concept.'

The result of close collaboration between Adam, Genesis and 93 contributors, and five years' of international research was a mind-expanding journey through the Sixties, internationally acclaimed as the definitive cult chronicle of that decade. Michael Cooper's relaxed relationship with the musicians and artists of the time is revealed in photos that are uniquely intimate.

'The great thing about Michael's work is that 99.99% of it was never commissioned - he was just in the right place at the right time.'

Looking through his father's photos, Adam sees that he grew up surrounded by the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, and even featured on at the Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album shoot as a 3 year old. Now a photographer himself, Adam has worked on numerous films, documentaries and music videos.

30 years since its publication, Genesis were delighted to collaborate again with Adam on the anniversary release of Blinds & Shutters, releasing the final copies in a special anniversary binding, as well as producing a selection of limited edition prints.

The full interview is available in the latest issue of Digital Camera World magazine.