"A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera." -Dorothea Lange Dorothea Lange trained to be a teacher when, in 1913, she decided to be a photographer. She studied for two years before moving to San Francisco to open the portrait studio she ran from 1919 to 1940. Social conscience Lange began photographing everyday people doing their everyday things. She would go to areas in San Franciso blighted by the Depression quite often. During this time she made the "White Angel Breadline" photograph. Her work caught the eye of Paul … [Read more...] about On Photography: Dorothea Lange, 1895-1965
On Photography
On Photography: Philippe Halsman Jumpology
"When you ask a person to jump, his attention is mostly directed toward the act of jumping and the mask falls so that the real person appears." -Philippe Halsman Sometimes, a photographer shares his personal work that was never originally intended for publication. Sometimes the "thing" a photographer becomes known for happens by, well, happenstance. Consider Philippe Halsman and his jumping portraits. The featured jumpers Top row, l-r: Mrs. Henry Ford, Ray Bolger – dancer & Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz, Bridget Bardot, Audrey … [Read more...] about On Photography: Philippe Halsman Jumpology
On Photography: Greg Gorman, 1949-present
For me, a photograph is most successful when it doesn't answer all the questions and it leaves something to be desired. I like each picture that I take to be a testament to the individual character of my subject. -Greg Gorman Greg Gorman is a celebrity photographer of quite some renown. He is a wine buff, vintner, instructor, foodie and all around good guy. I've known Greg for a couple of decades. He is a man of style and has a taste for the elegant. He is really an amazing portraitist. He has a timeless style. His portraits are dynamic and … [Read more...] about On Photography: Greg Gorman, 1949-present
On Photography: Bert Stern, 1929-2013
"There have been many beautiful women since Marilyn Monroe. But who is there that has her total magic? Nobody has that vulnerability anymore." -Bert Stern Bert Stern has been called the "original mad man" because of a single photograph that changed, no, revolutionized product photography. In 1955, Look magazine's art director gave him his first commercial photography assignment — a campaign to introduce Smirnoff Vodka to America. He envisioned a reflection, upside down, of the pyramids in a martini glass. The ad agency asked how he would … [Read more...] about On Photography: Bert Stern, 1929-2013
On Photography: Herb Ritts, 1952-2002
"Sometimes people have trouble with the context of why a picture is taken. Whether you take it for Vogue or for the GAP or for yourself matters little to me. -Herb Ritts A circumstance of birth was a happy player at the beginning of Herb Ritt's life and would carry him onto a stellar career in photography and director of music videos. Ritts grew up in Brentwood a suburb of Los Angeles. His next door neighbor was Steve McQueen. From an early time, Herb was around high-profile people. He became comfortable being around and with them. This … [Read more...] about On Photography: Herb Ritts, 1952-2002
On Photography: Mona Kuhn, 1969-present (NSFW)
"The body is a place where our mind resides, and that’s what I’m photographing." -Mona Kuhn Mona Kuhn makes fine art with her camera and often unclothed human beings. She is a contemporary, working photographer, who, in addition to her gallery works, has enjoyed a broad career in editorial and fashion. Her clients range from Bottega Veneta to Chanel and Dior. Magazines include Harper's Bazaar, W, La Monde and Numéro. Her portrait clients are often actors like Liev Schrieber and Tom Hiddleston. Galleries Kuhn's first solo exhibition was held … [Read more...] about On Photography: Mona Kuhn, 1969-present (NSFW)
On Photography: Robert Capa, 1913-1954
"If your pictures aren't good enough, you aren't close enough." -Robert Capa Robert Capa is accepted as the greatest war photographer during the first half of the twentieth century. Capa (born André Friedmann) was born in Budapest, Hungary. Germany, 1930-1933 Capa studied photography in Berlin in the early 1930s and served as a darkroom assistant at the Deutsche Fotodienst Agency. He left for Paris during the rise of the Nazis. There, he shared a darkroom with Henri Cartier-Bresson and Chim (David Seymour). Spain, 1936-1939 Capa made … [Read more...] about On Photography: Robert Capa, 1913-1954
On Photography: Robert Mapplethorpe, 1946-1989
“I went into photography because it seemed like the perfect vehicle for commenting on the madness of today’s existence.” -Robert Mapplethorpe Robert Mapplethorpe is one of my photographic heroes. His work, from flowers to women to controversially erotic, inspires my vision for some of my work. I have seen many of his prints in galleries. Every time I see one of his works my breath catches because of the beauty it shares with me. Mapplethorpe, the early years Mapplethorpe earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Brooklyn's Pratt … [Read more...] about On Photography: Robert Mapplethorpe, 1946-1989
On Photography: Elliott Erwitt, 1928- present
“The whole point of taking pictures is so that you don't have to explain things with words.” -Elliott Erwitt Elliott Erwitt is a keen observer of human humor. His photographs are endearing, heartwarming and oftentimes smile or even laugh worthy. Early career Elliott Erwitt served in the U.S. Army as a photographer's assistant in France and Germany during the 1950s. There, he met other photographers who had a great influence on him, Edward Steichen, Robert Capa and Roy Stryker among them. Stryker had run the Farm Security Administration's … [Read more...] about On Photography: Elliott Erwitt, 1928- present
On Photography: David Bailey, 1938-present
"It takes a lot of imagination to be a good photographer. You need less imagination to be a painter because you can invent things. But in photography everything is so ordinary; it takes a lot of looking before you learn to see the extraordinary." — David Bailey David Bailey defined fashion photography in the Swinging Sixties London scene. He was the inspiration for the photographer played by David Hemmings in the cult 1966 film "Blow Up" directed by Michelangelo Antonioni. The movie follows a London fashion photographer who unknowingly … [Read more...] about On Photography: David Bailey, 1938-present
On Photography: Howard Schatz, 1940-present
"Though the photo can seem simple in its beauty, almost lyrical by chance, a long list of important ingredients is necessary to achieve just the right result." -Howard Schatz Howard Schatz's professional life started with medicine. He was a world-renowned Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of California. His specialty was the retina of the eye. He wrote over a hundred peer-reviewed papers and seven textbooks in his field from 1970 through 1995 when he changed careers and began making photographs. Fire hose of … [Read more...] about On Photography: Howard Schatz, 1940-present
On Photography: Yousuf Karsh, 1908-2002
"There is a brief moment when all there is in a man's mind and soul and spirit is reflected through his eyes, his hands, his attitude. This is the moment to record." -Yousuf Karsh Yousuf Karsh is inarguably the greatest photographic portraitist of the twentieth century. His subjects are a whos-who of celebrities, politicians, royalty, movers and shakers, authors and astronauts. His catalog of photos and stories about the sessions are engaging vignettes into this master of photographing people. The young Karsh Yousuf Karsh was born in … [Read more...] about On Photography: Yousuf Karsh, 1908-2002
On Photography: Horst P. Horst, 1906-1999
"I don’t think photography has anything remotely to do with the brain. It has to do with eye appeal." -Horst P. Horst Horst Paul Albert Bohrmann was his given name. He adopted Horst P. Horst as his working name and went on to become an icon of American photography. Starting out Horst began by studying architecture and assisting the famous architect Le Corbusier in Paris. He became acquainted with George Hoyningen-Huene and began his career as a photographer. By 1931 he was working for French Vogue. He had mounted a well-received exhibit at … [Read more...] about On Photography: Horst P. Horst, 1906-1999
On Photography: Margaret Bourke-White, 1904-1971
"Saturate yourself with your subject and the camera will all but take you by the hand." - Margaret Bourke-White Margaret Bourke-White was a pioneering photojournalist who was the first to document Soviet industry in the 1930s. During that time she photographed in Germany and the dust bowl of the American midwest. Her storied career Margaret Bourke-White was hired by Henry Luce, the founder of Time and Life magazines, in 1929. Her assignment was to cover business and industry for Fortune magazine. She was there photographing the vault in the … [Read more...] about On Photography: Margaret Bourke-White, 1904-1971
On Photography: Gordon Parks, 1912-2006
"I bought my first camera in Seattle, Washington. Only paid about seven dollars and fifty cents for it." -Gordon Parks Gordon Parks was in many respects a Renaissance man. He excelled at documentary photography, as a musician and as a director of significant motion pictures. Farm Security Administration (FSA) Gordon Parks taught himself photography with his $7.50 pawnshop camera. He found work at the FSA despite having no formal or professional training. He quickly developed a style. That style made him a famous, celebrated photographer of … [Read more...] about On Photography: Gordon Parks, 1912-2006
On Photography: Abelardo Morell, 1948-present
"It’s important to me to have what I photograph undergo a certain transformation — to become a thing different from what we are used to, to be another version of itself." -Abelardo Morell Abelardo Morell makes photographs that, at first look don't make any sense. There is a scene in a room that can't have that scene in it. A red bed with an ornate headboard is in front of a photo of the Brooklyn Bridge. Wait. Examine the scene more carefully. The bridge photograph isn't behind the headboard. It is in front of it. How in the world? Times … [Read more...] about On Photography: Abelardo Morell, 1948-present
On Photography: Sally Mann, 1951-present
“One of the things my career as an artist might say to young artists is: The things that are close to you are the things you can photograph the best. And unless you photograph what you love, you are not going to make good art.” – Sally Mann Sally Mann is a photographer. A fine art photographer. A documentary photographer. She has also photographed architecture, landscape and still life. She is famous for her portrayal of her own family. First work Sally Mann began her photography career at Washington and Lee University. There, she documented … [Read more...] about On Photography: Sally Mann, 1951-present
On Photography: Richard Avedon, 1923-2004
“If each photograph steals a bit of the soul, isn’t it possible that I give up pieces of mine every time I take a picture?” – Richard Avedon Richard Avedon was easily a triple-threat photographer. His fashion work redefined what fashion photographs said; his art photographs were featured in exhibitions; his commercial photographs advertised for clients like Revlon and Christian Dior. Avedon's photographic career begins Richard Avedon served in the Merchant Marine during World War II. He learned the craft of photography by making … [Read more...] about On Photography: Richard Avedon, 1923-2004
On Photography: Helmut Newton, 1920-2004 (NSFW)
(Editor's note: The provocative nature of Helmut Newton's work requires a different format from the regular "On Photography" posts. Please note that some of the photos that follow are not safe for work — NSFW.) “The term "political correctness" has always appalled me, reminding me of Orwell's "Thought Police" and fascist regimes.” ― Helmut Newton Early years Helmut Newton was born in Germany. He bought his first camera at age 12. As a teen, he interned with Geman theatrical photographer Yva, who was a fan of the unclothed female form. Newton … [Read more...] about On Photography: Helmut Newton, 1920-2004 (NSFW)
On Photography: Art Kane, 1925-1995
"Performance shots are a waste of time, they look like everyone else's. If you want to shoot a performer, then grab them, own them, you have to own people, then twist them into what you want to say about them." -Art Kane Sixty years ago, on August 12, 1958, Art Kane made the photo titled "A Great Day In Harlem" for Esquire magazine. With this image, he instantly changed careers from art director to photographer. The picture is of 57 jazz musicians posing on the stoop of 17 East 126th Street in Harlem. The photograph has become one of the most … [Read more...] about On Photography: Art Kane, 1925-1995
On Photography: Douglas Kirkland, 1934-present
"I consider myself very lucky. I'm known for photographing celebrities, but, in a nutshell, my first love is photography." - Douglas Kirkland Douglas Kirkland has done pretty much everything when it comes to photography. Celebrities, notables, movie stills, photojournalism, filmmakers, fashion, Marilyn — his over 60-year career has seen him making photographs of all of these and more. His career in photography began when he was 24 and was hired as a staff photographer for Look magazine. His fame was found early when, in 1961, he spent an … [Read more...] about On Photography: Douglas Kirkland, 1934-present
On Photography: Imogen Cunningham, 1883-1976
“Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I'm going to take tomorrow.” - Imogen Cunningham Beginnings Imogen Cunningham bought her first camera, a 4x5 view camera, from the American School of Art, mail order. The year was 1901. She was 19 years old. While at the University of Washington in Seattle she discovered the work of Gertrude Käsebier, which rekindled her interest in photography. She began to study the chemistry of photography with the help of her chemistry professor, Horace Byers. She photographed plants for the botany … [Read more...] about On Photography: Imogen Cunningham, 1883-1976
On Photography: Paul Strand, 1890-1976
"Your photography is a record of your living, for anyone who really sees.” — Paul Strand Paul Strand has been called the biggest, widest, most commanding talent in the history of American photography. He was born in the midst of one of the most exciting and innovative periods in the history of art. Painters and sculptors were claiming the turn-of-the-century by rejecting the traditional and academic. By combining what he knew as art, with his love of the camera, Strand claimed his own place in photographic history by embracing similar ideas … [Read more...] about On Photography: Paul Strand, 1890-1976
On Photography: Philippe Halsman, 1906-1979
The immortal photographers will be straightforward photographers, those who do not rely on tricks or special techniques. - Philippe Halsman His early career Latvian photographer, Philippe Halsman began working in photography in Paris. His portrait studio in Montparnasse opened in 1934. There he photographed artists — André Malraux, André Gide, Le Corbusier and Marc Chagall. He used a self-designed twin lens reflex camera. Fleeing the Nazis he emigrated with his family to the United States on an emergency visa he got thanks to the help of … [Read more...] about On Photography: Philippe Halsman, 1906-1979
On Photography: Edward Steichen, 1879-1973
“A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it.” – Edward Steichen Edward Steichen not only contributed more photographs to Alfred Stieglitz's Camera Work publication than any other he is also credited with being the first fashion photographer. It's safe to say that he was a twentieth-century V.I.P. (Very Important Photographer). Photographic beginnings Steichen started in photography in 1896. He had his first exhibition of photographs at a salon in Philadelphia in 1899. He was introduced to Alfred Stieglitz by Clarence … [Read more...] about On Photography: Edward Steichen, 1879-1973
On Photography: Alfred Stieglitz, 1864-1946
“In photography, there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.” – Alfred Stieglitz Alfred Stieglitz is best known as the photographer who made photography accepted as a form of art. During his 5 decades-long career, he made photographs, opened and operated art galleries. His early years Alfred Stieglitz studied at the Berlin Polytechnic and then at Berlin University before emigrating to the United States. He studied physics and chemistry, then in 1883 he bought his first camera. He was entranced by the images. He … [Read more...] about On Photography: Alfred Stieglitz, 1864-1946
On Photography: Pete Turner, 1934-2017
“What have I done wrong? Nothing, I think. I am steadily surprised that there are so many photographers that reject manipulating reality as if that was wrong. Change reality! If you don’t find it, invent it!” – Pete Turner Pete Turner was, arguably, the pioneer of color photography, especially in the fields of commercial and fine art. He began his fascination with color photography at age 14 when he started making his own color prints. Of photography, Turner said in a 2006 Photo District News interview: "I love black and white photography, … [Read more...] about On Photography: Pete Turner, 1934-2017
On Photography: Gregory Heisler, 1954-present
“Photography’s one percent inspiration and 99 percent moving furniture.” -Gregory Heisler I have always thought of Gregory Heisler as a gifted photographer and a well-dressed one at that. I've enjoyed chatting with him as well as being present in the audience of several of his very engaging presentations of his work. His has been and continues to be a life lived being a photographer, educator and a genuinely nice guy. He lives a very rich life. Early days — Arnold Neuman Gregory Heisler became Arnold Neuman's assistant through … [Read more...] about On Photography: Gregory Heisler, 1954-present
On Photography: Margaret Bourke-White, 1904-1971
"The camera is a remarkable instrument. Saturate yourself with your subject and the camera will all but take you by the hand." - Margaret Bourke-White Margaret Bourke-White studied photography at the Clarence H. White School of Photography and went on to finish college in 1927. She moved to Cleveland and opened a studio with a primary interest in industrial photography. This work interested Henry Luce, publisher of Fortune magazine, who hired her in 1929. Life magazine Margaret Bourke-White photographed the construction of the Fort … [Read more...] about On Photography: Margaret Bourke-White, 1904-1971
On Photography: Linda McCartney, 1941-1998
“The real thing that makes a photographer is more than just a technical skill, more than turning on the radio. It has to do with the force of inner intention. I have always called this a visual signature...” — Linda McCartney Linda McCartney only took two classes in photography. She attended night school studying art history at the University of Arizona. Her inspirations were by photographers Dorothea Lange, Edward Weston and later Edward Steichen. Photo history was one of her passions. She created cyanotype prints as an homage to Henry Fox … [Read more...] about On Photography: Linda McCartney, 1941-1998
