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While the paparazzi are often harshly vilified by the media, celebrities, and onlookers alike, a new photo series exhibit at the Centro Italiano per la Fotografia in Turin presents their controversial work as a unique art form.

The term 'paparazzo' (plural: paparazzi) was introduced to the world via Walter Santesso's role as a persistent news photographer in Federico Fellini's iconic 1960 film, La Dolce Vita. This started both a cultural 'Golden Age' in Italy and a rampant international increase in brazen cameramen invading the personal space of famous people for that perfect, intimate, newsworthy shot. Some popular celebrities were flattered, while others became violent. Artists and photo editors, such as the British Alison Jackson, even resorted to staging 'scandalous' photos of the rich and famous using lookalike actors.

The profession's glory days came to a screeching halt in 1997 when Princess Diana's tragic death in a Paris car crash was blamed by some media outlets on the paparazzi who chased her in a nearby vehicle. Today, the paparazzi face numerous legal restrictions as the catalysts for anti-stalking and harassment bills in many countries, and many are currently under restraining orders.

Whether you love or hate the job, the vintage photos showcased at Arrivano i Paparazzi in Turin provide a nostalgic window into the past, as well as a poignant commentary on the struggle for privacy famous people still face. Scroll down to see our favorite black and white photos, and vote for the ones that made the most impact on you.

#1

Anita Ekberg Facing The Paparazzi With Bow And Arrows, October 20, 1960

Anita Ekberg Facing The Paparazzi With Bow And Arrows, October 20, 1960

Marcello Geppetti Report

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KK
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seeing the other pictures, I understand Anita Ekbergs sentiment.

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#2

Kate Moss And David Bowie, 2003

Kate Moss And David Bowie, 2003

Ellen von Unwerth Report

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Yvonne Bernal
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

RELAX folks - YES, this is staged because it is one of many pics from a photoshoot of David Bowie and Kate Moss taken by the great Ellen von Unwerth for the October 2003 issue of Q magazine.

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#3

Jackie Kennedy Captured By A Celebrity Photographer While Walking Quietly On Madison Avenue In New York. October, 1971

Jackie Kennedy Captured By A Celebrity Photographer While Walking Quietly On Madison Avenue In New York. October, 1971

Ron Galella Report

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lazy panda
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was a documentary about Jackie on Netflix a while back and apparently, this photographer stalked her to the point where she had to take out a restraining order on him.

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#4

Brigitte Bardot Leaves The Hotel Forum. Rome, 1965

Brigitte Bardot Leaves The Hotel Forum. Rome, 1965

Vittorio La Verde Report

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#5

Tazio Secchiaroli Flees An Angry Walter Chiari. The Actor At The Time Was In A Relationship With Superstar Ava Gardner And Was Followed Every Step By Paparazzi. Rome, 1957

Tazio Secchiaroli Flees An Angry Walter Chiari. The Actor At The Time Was In A Relationship With Superstar Ava Gardner And Was Followed Every Step By Paparazzi. Rome, 1957

Elio Sorci Report

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Agnes Jekyll
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Before Paparazzi sued! Chiari has two fists with his name on both of them.

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#6

Sofia Loren At Ciampino Airport, Returning From The United States. Rome, November 14th, 1961

Sofia Loren At Ciampino Airport, Returning From The United States. Rome, November 14th, 1961

Agenzia Dufoto Report

#7

Aiché Nanà's Striptease At Rugantino's Restaurant, Rome 1958. Aiché Nanà And Tazio Secchiaroli, Whom Took The Picture, Were Both Fellini's Inspirations For The Film "La Dolce Vita." The Film's Character Paparazzo, Inspired By Secchiaroli, Is The Origin Of The Word Paparazzi

Aiché Nanà's Striptease At Rugantino's Restaurant, Rome 1958. Aiché Nanà And Tazio Secchiaroli, Whom Took The Picture, Were Both Fellini's Inspirations For The Film "La Dolce Vita." The Film's Character Paparazzo, Inspired By Secchiaroli, Is The Origin Of The Word Paparazzi

Tazio Secchiaroli Report

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Raquel Leal
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The difference between the men and women faces and body language is great!

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#8

Don Gussoni Quarrels With Photographer Giacomo Alexis, Rome 1959

Don Gussoni Quarrels With Photographer Giacomo Alexis, Rome 1959

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#9

Photojournalist Tazio Secchiaroli Hides Armed With His Camera. Rome, 1958

Photojournalist Tazio Secchiaroli Hides Armed With His Camera. Rome, 1958

Ezio Vitale Report

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Matthew Hyder
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Geez, hiding with an expression like that, he looks like a sleazy peeping tom that should be aware of how shady he is or whatever. :p

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#10

Lucien Benedetti And Marina Meucci Stand Against The Photographer. Rome, Circa 1965

Lucien Benedetti And Marina Meucci Stand Against The Photographer. Rome, Circa 1965

Agenzia Dufoto Report

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#11

Stefania Sandrelli. Rome, Early 60s

Stefania Sandrelli. Rome, Early 60s

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#12

Soraya's Arrival At Termini Station Attracts The Attention Of "Assault Photographers"

Soraya's Arrival At Termini Station Attracts The Attention Of "Assault Photographers"

Agenzia Dufoto Report

#13

Anthony Steel Lashes Out Against Photographers. Rome, August 1958

Anthony Steel Lashes Out Against Photographers. Rome, August 1958

Tazio Secchiaroli Report

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Ok Ha-Neul
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

he's getting chased and still taking pictures? wow this dude has the dedication of a thousand hungry roaches

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#14

Alain Delon And Romy Schneider Dance During The Golden Age Ciak Evening At Brigadoon Restaurant. Rome, July 29, 1961

Alain Delon And Romy Schneider Dance During The Golden Age Ciak Evening At Brigadoon Restaurant. Rome, July 29, 1961

Marcello Geppetti Report

#15

Paparazzi Colleagues Chatting On Break In Sistina Street, Rome, 1958

Paparazzi Colleagues Chatting On Break In Sistina Street, Rome, 1958

Ezio Vitale Report

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#16

Marilyn Monroe Lookalike Underessing Before Jfk Impersonator

Marilyn Monroe Lookalike Underessing Before Jfk Impersonator

Alison Jackson Report

#17

Patrizia Pellegrino With Her Children Play On The Marina Beach

Patrizia Pellegrino With Her Children Play On The Marina Beach

Corrado Calvo Report

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blugeagua
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A water gun in the shape of an actual gun...... the f**k

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A Ghost
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Before I scrolled down I thought she was pointing an actual gun at paparazzi...

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Amina Hays
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh stop getting your knickers in a twist, it's just a mother playing with her children several years ago. Get over it.

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Amina Hays
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Regarding the people saying this is horrifying and other words to that effect, I'm just curious as to what you think a water PISTOL should look like, instead of a PISTOL shaped water PISTOL? I just like saying pistol. Pistol pistol pistol :-)

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Bama Katt
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

THANK YOU. I know lots of people are afraid of guns, like a handgun is gonna up and attack you its own, and I've seen that carried to some pretty ridiculous extremes. But being afraid a pistol shaped squirt gun even EXISTED, that's a new one. Oh noes!! Look what she's teaching the children!! She's teaching them that be frightened little lemmings for the rest of their lives if they don't learn how to read context.

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CluelessLlama13
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Personally, I'm most bothered by this photo being in color while the rest are black and white. It adds significantly to the out-of-place feel...

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Chess Wizard
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The photo was a very unflattering one, taken by paparazzi, just like the other photos.

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Nadine
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Regardless of the fact that it is a water gun, we should not be familiarizing and normalizing the concept of weapons to kids. Guns remain a culture of violence. Wish we live in a world where kids are not exposed to that, then maybe they can grow into more peaceful adults

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Bama Katt
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is EXACTLY why this is a valuable picture. Teach the children young that they'll spend their lives as cowering little lemmings if they don't learn how to read context.

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Taryn Wallace
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why we can't have fun things anymore... everyone is soooo upset by a mom playing with her kid.... just because it looks like a real gun doesn't make it real and it doesn't make her a bad person for playing with it

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.gas.
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6 years ago

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Why would ever point a gun at your kid? Even a water gun...

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