scale, perspective, depth ... & the Eiffel Tower

Richard Avedon (1959)

I had posted this photograph (above) previously and explained that this was a matter of Genius x 2. Two of my favorite artists -- Richard Avedon, the photographer and the subject, Marc Chagall, the painter. Here are two more shots that make use of the Eiffel Tower and create depth by use of a person in the background.

Regina Relang (1950s)

Frank Horvat (1974)

Marc Riboud

Disclaimer: This post does not do Marc Riboud justice! There is the Pentagon March shot of 1967 (seen at the end of this post), along with additional iconic images that are instantly recognizable, but there are other images equally compelling, some poignant and others just powerfully quiet. This is just a small sampling of some of his less seen work. To read the Magnum bio on Marc Riboud, click here. I encourage you to visit Riboud's website which houses a vast amount of his portfolio material.














Here is the iconic 1967 Pentagon March shot:

Illusion of the Year

A photograph of two lovers was sent to the Archimedes Laboratory where Courtney Smith, Gianni Sarcone, and Marie-Jo Waeber collaborated on this 2011 Illusion of the Year entitled, "Mask of Love". At first you see a single face adorned with the Venetian mask. Upon further inspection, you will see the original image of the two lovers. This type of illusion is called a bistable illusion. To read more, click here.

Bleeding Hearts

This is one of my photographs which I'm posting today because the Bleeding Hearts in my garden are magnificent, prolific, and currently in full bloom!

Imogen Cunningham

Probably one of Imogen Cunningham's most renowned photographs is that of the Magnolia Blossom, shot in 1925. Magnolias, along with Cherry Blossoms and Dogwoods are some of the first trees to bloom in Spring ... and this being Spring here in New York, well ..................

Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott

Probably my favorite fashion photographers today are the team of Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. Maybe this is not a word used in photography critiques, but "stunning" is my immediate reaction. The imagery is saturated -- fully saturated -- and I don't just mean colour or exposure. There is an overall richness and depth aesthetically and in the emotional impact of the photographs. Their work is not just confined to what goes on behind the camera or with their impeccable lighting -- they are equally involved in the hair and make-up room. They put their stamp on everything that goes into a shot. They live and breathe fashion.

Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott met in England in 1994. Alas is from Istanbul, Turkey and Piggott from Bangor, Wales. They credit Guy Bourdin's Charles Jourdan advertising campaign from the 1970s as some of their inspiration. (See my posts on Guy Bourdin.) They are the "it" photographers ... their work in fashion and portraiture has landed them large advertising campaigns and constant editorial work --they are in hot demand ... and I'm guessing that pretty much everyone wants to be photographed by them. (Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott are represented by Art Partner.)

Shakira

Natalie Portman
Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan
Ron Cristiano for Emporio Armani Underwear, 2010

Cindy Crawford
Cameron Diaz

David and Victoria Beckham for Emporio Armani Underwear

Abbey Lee Kershaw for Versace

for Alexander McQueen, Fall 2006

Lara Stone (foreground) for Calvin Klein Jeans

Lara Stone for Paris Vogue

for DSquared2, 2009

Lara Stone in Dolce & Gabbana, Fall 2007 (not sure if they know of Jan Saudek or took any inspiration from him, but this could be influenced by his work)


Mariacarla Boscono for Loewe, Madred (this would appear to be influenced by Guy Bourdin, from whom they say they took some of their inspiration)

Jennifer Lopez for Louis Vuitton

for Gucci Spring 2010 Campaign

From the "Pin Up" Series, shot for W Magazine, 2008

From the "Pin Up" Series, shot for W Magazine, 2008

From the "Pin Up" Series, shot for W Magazine, 2008

Cecil Beaton

What I should have done was to put these photographs in chronological order, for then we would see the development of Cecil Beaton's work. But, I didn't do that. I have allowed these images to load in random order as a deliberate measure to emphasize how varied yet consistent his work. (Actually, I didn't do it deliberately, some were clustered together intentionally while the rest were simply just random. I'm trying to justify my laziness in not curating these properly. Part of the problem is that Beaton was prolific -- even editing down to this selection was no easy feat.)

As a young child, Cecil Beaton's inspiration came from society women and actresses. He got his first camera -- a Kodak camera -- at age eleven. In the 1920s, Beaton was a staff photographer for Vogue and Vanity Fair ... he continued as a staff photographer for Conde Nasté publications through the 1960s. For me, personally, his name is synonymous with 'Old Hollywood Portraiture'. From heavily staged scenes to dramatic portraits, he then turned to being an official war photographer when he signed up with the British Ministry of Information at the beginning of World War II. After the war, he turned his attention back to his photography, fashion illustrations and costume design. He won Academy Awards for Costume Design both for Gigi and My Fair Lady and an additional award for Art Direction for My Fair Lady.

(Photo above of Greta Garbo)

Norma Shearer for Vanity Fair, 1930

Jungman Twins, 1926

Tallulah Bankhead

Jean Harlow

Nancy Beaton

Mrs. Charles James, New York, 1955

Truman Capote, Morocco, 1959

Mick Jagger

Marlon Brando

Marlene Dietrich, 1935

Marilyn Monroe

Kyra Nijinsky, 1935

Gwili Andre, 1932



Eileen Dunn (shot for Life Magazine)

Charles James Gowns for Vogue, 1948

Baroness von Thyssen at Roger Vivier's Apartment

Audrey Hepburn, 1960

Andy Warhol and Candy Darling, 1969



Greta Garbo
Jean Shrimpton, 1964

Princess Ira von Furstenberg, 1955

Self Portrait while shooting portrait of Mick Jagger

One of Beaton's sketches of a gown he designed.

The Royal Air Force: The rear gunner in his position in a Wellington bomber. (From the Ministry of Information Second World War Collection.)

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Here is an editorial piece on Beaton from the TSY blog that is an interesting read.