About Lou O' Bedlam / Luciano Noble II  

Photos of Lou O' Bedlam (26)

Lou O' Bedlam's favorite photos from other Flickr members (295)

Contacts (6,069)

Groups (50)

Testimonials (82)

• 

  Big Fuzzy says:

  "It's simple, Lou has inspired me. I got caught up in a lot of the technobabble crap, and now all I want is some light and great DoF. Thanks for reminding me of the basics Lou. I look forward to what your inspiration pulls out of me!"

  8th September, 2009

• 

  BartF says:

  "Great guy."

  19th August, 2009

• 

  m(air)y says:

  "ahhhhh hello mister photo-brilliance. your words are wonderful too."

  18th August, 2009

• 

  ahbanach says:

  "Mr. O'Bedlam is most definitely not invisible."

  9th August, 2009

• 

  Savannah Owen says:

  "I just recently discovered your Flickr account and I instantly fell in love with all of your photos. Your images capture beauty like any I've ever seen and I hope to be close to as good as you are someday! Keep on doing what your doing and being an inspiration to people like me! =D"

  18th July, 2009

• 

  flightless bird says:

  "Perfect."

  7th July, 2009

• 

  Nancy Macias Photography says:

  "Simply AMAZING!"

  30th June, 2009

• 

  °IchBinEinBaum° says:

  "shit, this man's photography is pure awesomeness i just peed my pants!!!!"

  5th June, 2009

• 

  Nirazilla says:

  "Lou is the modern Michelangelo of Polaroid portraiture. Try and prove that statement wrong. It's not easy. Believe me, I've tried. His works are addictive. Well-taken. Humorous. And human.
  
  (I had like two more paragraphs of unfiltered praise I had to edit out of this testimonial. To keep things succinct. Because I figure if you're reading this and you're not Lou himself, you're pretty much wasting your time. Go look at his fucking pictures.)"

  14th May, 2009

• 

  Gramercy° says:

  "Lou's posts are a part of my morning routine. Coffee + cig + Lou photo. More than just a skilled photographer, he shows us the human side to his subject as opposed to just utilizing them as a prop. Lou inspires me to be a better artist."

  2nd May, 2009

• 

  ceethreedom says:

  "lou's photos make wanna smash my face. i'm not sure what that means, but take it positively."

  27th April, 2009

• 

  sthakurphotography says:

  "You know that feeling when you hear a great song on the radio, and the style sounds so familiar that you associate it with your favorite band and genre of music? Lou's photos have that same effect. When you see a beautiful, unique beauty captured on film, with hints of flare and other nifty little charms, one instantly thinks Lou. Hands down, the best portrait photographer this side of flickr."

  26th April, 2009

• 

  Brother -in- Spirit says:

  "a king among trades, a true master of his craft.
  
  Beauty always in the mold of his work and perfect capturing of the human self, if you dont know his stuff --- you should"

  23rd March, 2009

• 

  [Brandon] says:

  "Wonderful work. Lou never ceases to amaze me."

  21st March, 2009

• 

  (sand) says:

  "I'd like to know every person he has the luck to photograph.... they are all so beautiful.
  And I'd like to photograph like him, too.... his photos are all so beautiful.
  
  Polaroid shouldn't stop to produce film just to allow Mr. O' Bedlam to continue his awesome work, i tell you."

  14th March, 2009

• 

  wrightmight says:

  "when he isn't making the rest of us photographers jealous, he's dumping loads of black pepper on his eggs. LOADS. that much i do know."

  19th February, 2009

• 

  Marcus Steinmeyer says:

  "It's very unusual to me to write a testimonial, but the Lou O'Bedlam shots are so great that made me put some words around here. Lou, for me, your pictures say something, they make me feel good!! Congrats my friend!"

  8th February, 2009

• 

  mcmortygreen says:

  "«Fallen in love with light» Lou O 'Bedlam is one of my personal favorite photographers ever. I open his flickr everyday to get a new dose of light impressions, positive and inspirations.
  
  Good luck to you, Lou, with your new digital camera!"

  5th February, 2009

• 

  jon madison says:

  "you've never seen so many beautiful faces captured so beautifully well in one place. this cat makes me weep for the demise of polaroid, and pray for its resurrection."

  28th January, 2009

• 

  marcιη says:

  "He is a master of beautiful portraits shoot.."

  27th January, 2009

• 

  memothek says:

  "yes another testimorial for Lou,and he deserves more.The way he connects with life ,people,faces it's just amazing,Great portraits with soul .Inspiring work.don't stop."

  24th January, 2009

• 

  trish yeung says:

  "Lou is such a wonderful photographer. His photographs speak out to people with their stories, their personalities. Each portrait speaks out and all of his photos are nothing short of spectacular. Not only is he a fantastic photographer, he's also an amazing human being.
  
  Lou, keep doing what you do because you're damn good at it."

  21st January, 2009

• 

  vic.v says:

  "how did i go so long without finding Luciano's photostream...? dunno... but his has fast become one of my favorite collections on flickr... beautiful models and one hell of a keen eye. word. he is right photography is love, and i love his stuff."

  8th January, 2009

• 

  jena ardell says:

  "Lou O'Bedlam: The Man, The Legend. The Photographer.
  
  Although his online personna is a tad bit intimidating (the dude gets 103+ comments on ONE photo!!), Lou is seriously one of the nicest guys I've ever met. He's got a wicked sense of humor and the ability to turn Polaroids and Mamiya shots to gold. Just look at how he harnesses light!! And if being an amazing photographer wasn't enough, Lou is a highly entertaining writer as well. At times, his photo captions are as equally impressive as his photographs!! The man just has a magical way with images and words.
  
  ~Jena~"

  20th December, 2008

• 

  andy khouri says:

  "Louie is the only photographer I personally know to have proven the polaroid an instrument of great worth. Sure, I'd see a good shot in a magazine or online somewhere, but I'd never actually known anyone who could do it. Luckily for me, I now know the best.
  
  Although the most I've physically contributed to Louie's work is holding a reflector and letting him shoot the back of my head, I consider him a sort of collaborator. My... um, existence is such that Lou is never wanting for new faces, and in return he documents for me in his inimitable style (though some do try to imitate it) some of the most special people I know. It works out pretty well."

  6th December, 2008

• 

  Mr Birch says:

  "I once helped him pay his rent*. It was the least I could do.
  *By buying his book"

  5th November, 2008

• 

  Megan McIsaac. says:

  "i don't even know where to start when i tell you about lou and his photographs. his photographs have a dreamlike quality to them, theyre so romantic and soft. i think my favourite part about lous photographs is that i always feel like i have met the people in his photographs, he does such a lovely job with capturing their personalities and their vibe. i could go on for days, but lou makes beautiful photographs. he's a cool cat too. 'nuff said."

  30th October, 2008

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  P e r m a n e n t V a c a t i o n says:

  "Lou's pictures had an inspiring effect on me over the past few months, especially as for the use of backlight and close-up in portraiture. So : thanks Lou.
  And he is also the one whose pictures convinced me to buy my SLR 680 (on its way). I hope I will eventually master this tool and the art of lighting as well as he does."

  10th October, 2008

• 

  Farmer1976 says:

  "Lou's photos have such a nice feel to them- like the person in the photo knows me- I just love the knack Lou has for catching that look. Amazing!"

  1st October, 2008

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  Nathan Gillespie says:

  "come to virginia?!
  your pictures are soo
  good, honestly"

  23rd September, 2008

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  Linn Heidi Stokkedal says:

  "What a amazing and inspirational photographer, he really knows how to make people feel good through his photos."

  23rd September, 2008

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  mikefiction says:

  "I look forward to Lou's daily photos. His work is both beautiful and revealing of character."

  23rd September, 2008

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  Christina*Kay says:

  "Some the most amazing portraits on flickr. I can't believe that I didn't come across your stream sooner."

  20th September, 2008

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  Allister Ann says:

  "your photos are simply...breathtaking!
  each a new and unique to each person.
  keep up the amazing work"

  12th September, 2008

• 

  polaküche™ says:

  "I came home todays afternoon and find a parcel with a book inside at my stairway. It was Lou's book of beautiful people. And what can I say? It's great!
  
  Till this moment I only knows Lou's pictures and thoughts from my screen, but now I can hold them in my hand.
  
  I'm very fascinated of the talent of this man. So, thanks for sharing your point of view."

  12th September, 2008

• 

  Shaun • Keenan says:

  "Lou takes pictures you wish you'd taken.
  The one word he's ever said to me was 'Thanks'."

  3rd September, 2008

• 

  tisaface says:

  "why do i keep looking at your photo stream with a dialup connection? i guess i must be that addicted to your work! please don't ask about the dialup. it's too painful."

  31st August, 2008

• 

  Laura Mary says:

  "Lou writes beautifully, and takes beautiful photos of beautiful people. Buy his books and praise his work! He is most deserving."

  30th August, 2008

• 

  prettygoodhoney says:

  "I'm not gonna lie, I've spent the past two weeks looking through your sets and I feel like I've been on some magical photo carpet ride. Gorgeous work."

  24th August, 2008

• 

  dlemieux says:

  "One of the funniest, wittiest f*ckers on flickr....possibly in the universe....I hope to one day meet him in person and laugh a lot but most especially let him work that polaroid magic on my mug....
  I heart Lou. Period."

  4th August, 2008

• 

  James Fallen Photography says:

  "Love your portraiture style, period. Lou is the guy who made me want to dive into medium format. Keep up the amazing work man!"

  22nd July, 2008

• 

  Flirty Feet says:

  "Lou... a man with a wonderful eye and a caring heart. Thanks for sharing your gift of photography with the world..."

  15th July, 2008

• 

  Mackenzie Ashton. says:

  "Oh boy do I love what you do..."

  29th June, 2008

• 

  COOP666 says:

  "Man, I really dig these photos."

  21st June, 2008

• 

  Withnail1 says:

  "I don't write too many testimonials. That being said, I can't help myself in this instance. I'm pissed. I carry my camera around, constantly looking and waiting for that moment. You know, the moment when something great is happening and the stars align just right and everything is perfect. I rarely get that moment, so I try to create it. Then I find Lou's photo stream...
  It's full of beautiful images of beautiful people doing...nothing spactacular...and they're awesome! He's not waiting for that moment or creating it, he recognizes that each moment is that moment and he captures it. They are living and enjoying life and he is capturing it in it's fullness. I can feel these people and their emotions actually radiating from his images."

  1st June, 2008

• 

  re.becca says:

  "no one even comes close to capturing the complete beautiful package of personality and polaroids all in one instant.
  
  basically, your work kicks ass all over the place.
  as do our emails.
  
  as will our super secret cover shoot."

  8th May, 2008

• 

  Converse and Bowling Shirts says:

  "To quote Lieutenant Dan, "You're a god-damn genius Gump"."

  2nd May, 2008

• 

  Melissa Marie. says:

  "He's just that smooth."

  26th April, 2008

• 

  rocketjim54 says:

  "ok
  so i got the book
  first
  i looked through the book
  ok..i read some
  then
  i read the book
  now
  im waitin' for the NEXT book
  i have this idea
  get on a plane
  fly to LA
  have lou take my pic
  tell him some crazy shit about my life (old fuck that i am)
  then fly back
  cool idea
  maybe i'd be in the next book
  i'm still waitin'"

  25th April, 2008

• 

  avlack says:

  "Lou & his lovely Polaroid Glamour! Love it!"

  22nd April, 2008

• 

  BRANDON TAELOR AVIRAM. says:

  "god damn,
  it took me a while to click through your ENTIRE photo stream, today.
  totally worth it - B.taelor"

  17th April, 2008

• 

  grahampage_ says:

  "Before I met Lou I was told he was going to bring the meat. I met Lou and he did, in fact, bring the meat."

  15th April, 2008

• 

  weareallokay says:

  "Lou is the future."

  13th April, 2008

• 

  DarkDaze Photography says:

  "hey lou, my book arrived today, well i should say yr book, but its now mine so what..... anyways its a humbling experience, I recognise myself somewhat in, (or my photographs even), in the brilliant foreword by todd, and i recognise a piece of fleeting photos i havent ever taken but wished i had in yr pages. Its near perfect buddy, I am pleased that you took the time to make it and send it out into the world of the 'hold it in yr hand realness' , and i could have said that in a mail, but i want everyone to know, and I'm not even drunk....yet.
  
  good work man, keep on, DD."

  11th April, 2008

• 

  michael charles says:

  "the only stream i check religiously. mr. o'bedlam does more with a square than most could do with a cube. truly stellar."

  8th April, 2008

• 

  StephenMcleod says:

  "I love Lou's portraits, and the stories that come along with them. Lou's got soul."

  4th April, 2008

• 

  revivify says:

  "I'm trying to think of a witty line to describe the amazingness that is LFN (that's short for Lou fuckin' Noble), but it's hard to encompass him in a single line. So I'll just say this: if you don't know Lou, you're missing out."

  31st March, 2008

• 

  laura.77 says:

  "Lou's photos make me check Flickr daily just for new ones!!
  Each one is a story in itself,usually filled with a beautiful or unique person and they all have wonderful atmospheres to them!
  Keep them coming!"

  30th March, 2008

• 

  mia_magic says:

  "Lou's photographs make you feel like you can actually walk around inside of them and feel the sunshine yourself. It has been such a pleasure to be able to follow his work here. I am inspired."

  14th March, 2008

• 

  © keico says:

  "i think he is a magician. and he does not afraid to show his cards. but no one can do the better job than he does. that's why i think he is the real one."

  14th February, 2008

• 

  beetleginny says:

  "Lou is the guy you hate after your first encounter with him. He's confident and directs his photos with precision. He is almost so confident that he walks that fine line between confident and conceited, however like a experienced tightrope walker he doesn't cross that line. However, you can't hate Lou for too long cause on top of being super cool, he's funny and extremely talented. So...
  
  ...wait a second, you can hate lou, cause most guys don't come this bundled.
  
  I tip my hat to you, sir, Mr. Lou O'bedlam."

  30th January, 2008

• 

  i am a mermaid princess. says:

  "Lou takes some of the beautiful endearing and evoking captures. His use of subjects are always striking, and his use of light is just.. :O tehe. In particular, his polaroids and portraits are probably one of the most beautiful works. Thank you for sharing such wonderful works"

  21st January, 2008

• 

  Mackeson says:

  " … it is sunday morning and i’m eating oreo cookies, drinking coffee and listening to ballad of a tin man ~ that should be balladof a “thin” man, ~ over and over again, hoping that the bag holds out until the end of lou’s photostream … it’s hard to know what’s more addictive ... christ! I wish I could smoke in the house …"

  6th January, 2008

• 

  Brain Squirrel on Heroin says:

  "Before attending an exclusive "Photo Nerd Out", all I'd heard about Lou was "you're going to love him". Not only was this true, there came a point where I was actually uncomfortable with how much I loved him. All I could do was laugh nervously while he kept cracking jokes, doing impressions, taking pictures, etc.
  
  With as little as I know about Lou, and considering this is the first time I've written a testimonial for anyone on Flickr, his pictures are without fail some of the best pola-portraits I've EVER seen, and he should do something about it. Like sell them for millions of $$$. I hope that I see him again."

  25th November, 2007

• 

  Blaise K says:

  "oh, sure--we're both heeb zebras and we both know our way around a hellmouth as it turns out. but there are bold layers upon bold layers upon bold layers here that i am inherently drawn to. and by bold i mean passionate and seemingly macho, but also so very thoughtful and intuitive. and then he often goes and writes something charming and witty about the story behind the photo. i wonder if he was forced to take ritalin as a child. visually, it's as if he documents the act of falling in love with each subject, every time. and so, naturally, you long to be in front of his camera. unless maybe you're a guy who's really insecure about his sexuality. (hint: that's so gay.)
  
  and i can say quite emphatically that lou has changed the way i think about (and see) polaroids. what he does with portraits is like the song "magic man" by heart. you know those lyrics? really, i think maybe this is true.
  
  of course, as of this writing, i've yet to meet him, so he could actually be a total prick, in which case you can fucking forget everything i just said, and i will totally deny ever having said it. like, you'll be all, "what ever happened to lou noble?" and i'll be all, "wait, twat? i'm sorry i cunt hear you.""

  23rd October, 2007

• 

  Lauren Max says:

  "i've never met this man, but, i long to meet this man."

  5th October, 2007

• 

  iam(zana) says:

  "I'm saving up my money to go to LA to get my picture taken by Mr O' Bedlam."

  23rd July, 2007

• 

  Inoka . says:

  "super hero , and super photostream ! Love your works !"

  22nd July, 2007

• 

  drew... says:

  "lou o'bedlam is my hero."

  21st July, 2007

• 

  Kristopher Hannum says:

  "This guy...this guy...amazing.
  
  Lou takes pictures that make me (and certain other San Francisco brothers of mine) jump around and scream like idiots because they're that stupidly good."

  3rd July, 2007

• 

  miamizeiss says:

  "Lou has got to be the most genuine person I've met in years. I feel special having him in my life. He also gives fantastic presents. If you have the opportunity to shack him up in your home, I'd say it is in your best interest to have him over.....for more reasons than one."

  2nd July, 2007

• 

  ~BostonBill~ says:

  "Raw emotion. Pure beauty. A profound understanding of the world around him. And what a wonderful world it is. His images are like a canvas and his written word is the paint. Lou makes it look all too easy. There is a genius at work here."

  26th June, 2007

• 

  Max*Power says:

  " About 8 years ago I wanted to be a professional photographer, started taking class and within a year all the joy I found in photography had been sucked out of me. Over the years that followed I rarely picked up a camera but was always looking through photos trying to find someone to inspire me. sadly this never happen.
  Then about a year ago I stumbled across someones photos here on Flicker, this person did what nobody else was able to do, give me something back that I had lost for far too long, the love of photography.
  After looking through Lou's shots I was blown away by not only his photos but the stories that went along with them. To this day I get inspired everytime I see one of his shots & anybody who wants to see truly beautiful photos has come to the right man."

  25th June, 2007

• 

  _micaela says:

  "lou lou takes good pictures. can i call you lou lou?"

  12th June, 2007

• 

  rugosa rosa says:

  "robert capa once said
  
  "If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."
  
  lou embodies this, with stunning results.
  his camera is more like a sword, deftly slicing through moments and turning them into memories.
  
  he is a hero and an inspiration to all of us."

  28th February, 2007

• 

  Witness to Light says:

  "Without knowing it, this man taught me Polaroid Love. Hopefully, one day i'll be able to build a Time Machine that's as kick-ass as his one!
  Bring on the Bedlam!! x"

  14th February, 2007

• 

  dirty fingernails says:

  "I can get lost in his work like I can get lost in a used book store. It's a rare feeling."

  12th December, 2006

• 

  Tod Brilliant says:

  "Forget about his skills with the magical Pola680, forget about his bizarre ability to hang out with beautiful people 24/7, and even, for a moment, forget that the man not only understands, no *groks* Buckaroo Banzai in all it's glory . . . have you forgotten all that? Good - because now you've forgotten everything about Lou O' that one must know if one is to know what a Pola-genius he is. Now that your mind is empty, take advantage of your fleeting zen sensibilities and push through his pictures with your wide open mind. . .now you'll relate to just how and why Lou and Polaroids were born for each other, and how lucky we are for their children (ya'll do get it on, Lou. . .must cost a fortune!)."

  5th August, 2006

• 

  roidrage says:

  "Surprisingly normal."

  14th July, 2006

• 

  fight off your daemons says:

  "Lou is not only a fantastic polaroid photographer, but also an amazing story teller.
  Every polaroid tells us a story, whether it's thorough words or through pictures.
  Lou has the ability to capture all the small things that make this world a great place to live in such as a wink, a smile, hair, parties, music, fun, and colors."

  27th June, 2006

• 

  JAMIE X has moved says:

  "imagine, if by some strange act of God, Moses returned from Mount Sinai carrying not the ten commandments, but instead a polaroid land camera.
  this man would be Lou O' Bedlam.
  (i am fully aware that this testimonal makes precious sense.)"

  26th June, 2006

• 

  defekto says:

  "Lou rocks...RAWKS! He is passionate, devoted and positively dedicated to the mighty Polaroid.
  
  It's hard to describe, but I can feel the love in every one of his photos and as his work evolves and grows ... well, what comes after love?"

  29th April, 2006

Joined:

November 2005

Hometown:

Los Angeles

Currently:

Los Angeles, United States

I am:

Male and Single

Occupation:

Life Saver

Website:

LOU O' BEDLAM DOT COM

Email:

louobedlam [at] gmail.com