The art of peeping: 17 of the most powerful paparazzi shots

Paparazzi often expose celebrities in an unsightly light, an exhibition held in Turin presents their controversial work as a unique art form. "Paparazzi time! Photographers and stars of dolce vita yesterday and today" - this is the name of the exhibition at the Italian CAMERA Photography Center.

The term " paparazzo "(plural — "paparazzi") appeared in 1960 thanks to the cult film by Federico Fellini" La Dolce Vita " (La Dolce Vita). This was the name of one of the characters in the picture, the prototype of which was numerous "hunting photographers" like Marcello Geppetti or Tazio Secchiaroli, who scoured in search of shots with stars to sell them to the press. After the release of the film, this name became a household name. 

The star of the cult film Federico Fellini's "La Dolce Vita" (La Dolce Vita), Anita Ekberg, went against the paparazzi with a bow and arrow, on October 20, 1960.

More and more brazen photojournalists appeared in the world, invading the personal space of celebrities. Some stars were flattered by such attention, but others were indignant and tried to fight back against the impudents. Some photographers even resorted to staging "scandalous" photos of the rich and famous, using actors similar to them. 

Kate Moss and David Bowie, 2003. In fact, this is a staged shot taken as part of a photo shoot by fashion photographer Ellen von Unwerth.

The glory days of the profession were numbered in 1997, when the tragic death of Princess Diana in a car accident in Paris was blamed on photographers who chased her in a nearby car.

Whether you love or hate their work, the paparazzi photos presented in this collection open a nostalgic window into the past.

Jackie Kennedy was walking along Madison Avenue in New York in October 1971, when America's most famous paparazzi, Ron Galella, took this iconic picture.

Brigitte Bardot leaves the Forum Hotel in Rome, 1965.

The famous shot with the priest Don Gussoni leaving a nightclub. Rome, 1959. Gussoni's futile attempts to snatch the camera from the hands of photographer Giacomo Alexis fell into the lens of the famous paparazzi Geppetti and forever destroyed the reputation of the minister of the church.

Ayshe Nana's striptease at the restaurant "Rugantino", Rome, 1958. During the dance, street photographer Tazio Secchiaroli took several pictures of the artist, and then published them in the press, which caused a big scandal. This story inspired Fellini to create the film "Sweet Life".

Photojournalist Tazio Secchiaroli is ambushed. Rome, 1958. The role of the scandalous photographer in the Fellini film went to Walter Santesso. The director gave him the surname Paparazzo, from which the term "paparazzi"later came.

Tazio Secchiaroli runs away from an angry Walter Chiari. The actor was in a relationship with superstar Ava Gardner at the time, and paparazzi were watching his every move. Rome, 1957.

Sophia Loren at the Rome-Ciampino airport, returning from the USA, Rome, 1961.

Actress Patricia Pellegrino plays with children on the Marina beach.

Italian actors Lucien Benedetti and Marina Meucci against the photographer, Rome, 1965.

Stefania Sandrelli, Rome, early 60s.

The arrival of Soraya, the queen of Iran, at the Termini station attracted the attention of"photosturmoviki".

Alain Delon and Romy Schneider dance during the "Golden Age" evening at the Brigadoon restaurant. Rome, July 29, 1961.

British actor Anthony Steele against photographers, Rome, August 1958.

Marilyn Monroe undressed in front of John F. Kennedy. This is a staged photo with doubles. In reality, there were no intimate photos of Monroe and Kennedy.

Fellow paparazzi talk, Rome, 1958.