Renowned photographer Platon has once again proven his mastery of the art form by winning the Judge's Choice Award at the 2025 Abbey Road Music Photography Awards with his striking portrait of legendary musician Nile Rodgers. The award-winning image, which captures an intimate close-up of Rodgers' hand holding a guitar pick emblazoned with the iconic Chic logo, showcases Platon's extraordinary ability to distill complex narratives into single, powerful frames.
Few photographers have influenced modern portraiture as profoundly as Platon throughout his distinguished career. Over the years, he has photographed an impressive roster of subjects ranging from world leaders like Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin to music icons such as Adele and David Bowie. Each image bears his distinctive signature of piercing intimacy that makes his photographs impossible to forget, establishing him as one of the most recognizable voices in contemporary portrait photography.
What makes this particular winning photograph so remarkable is its unconventional approach to portraiture. At first glance, the image might not appear to be a traditional portrait since it focuses entirely on Rodgers' hand rather than his face. However, this artistic choice demonstrates Platon's genius for finding humanity and narrative in the smallest details. The hand that appears in the frame has shaped some of the most influential grooves in popular music culture, serving as a powerful symbol of rhythm, creativity, and artistic legacy.
From a technical perspective, the photograph reveals Platon's evolution as an artist while maintaining his signature aesthetic sensibilities. The image was captured using a Hasselblad X2D 100C camera paired with an XCD 120mm lens, representing a fascinating blend of traditional Hasselblad quality with cutting-edge digital technology. This equipment choice reflects Platon's transition from his long-standing use of film-based Hasselblad 500 series cameras to modern digital medium format systems.
The technical excellence of the image is immediately apparent in its extraordinary detail and tonal depth. With 100 megapixels of resolution, viewers can almost feel the texture of Rodgers' skin and experience the tactile gleam of the guitar pick. This level of clarity and dynamic range demonstrates how modern digital medium format cameras can deliver the same legendary Hasselblad sensibility that has made the brand synonymous with professional portrait photography for decades.
Platon's approach to photography has always been characterized by remarkable restraint and purposefulness rather than relying on elaborate setups or grand gestures. His work demonstrates the power of trust, attention to detail, and the courage to get extraordinarily close to his subjects. This philosophy is perfectly exemplified in the Nile Rodgers portrait, where the photographer's ability to find profound meaning in a simple gesture creates an image that speaks volumes about the subject's artistry and influence.
For photography enthusiasts interested in learning more about Platon's creative process and philosophical approach to portraiture, his episode of Netflix's "Abstract: The Art of Design" provides an incredible behind-the-scenes look into the psychology and craftsmanship behind his iconic images. The documentary offers valuable insights into how one of the world's most celebrated portrait photographers approaches his subjects and creates images that resonate with viewers on both emotional and intellectual levels.
