Irving Penn was a legend. He was a fashion photographer. I love him, because I love fashion. :) He is superb because he photographed hats and face nets which I love. I love scarves and gloves and accessories that have to do with the sort of 40's style. It's a shame that he just died a couple of weeks ago; he was brilliant. But 92 is a pretty good long life. I'll always mourn October 7th, because I love his images. I love photography, and I love his subjects; so I am in love. He was educated in the Pennsylvania Museum School of Industrial Arts under the direction of Alexey Brodovitch. He originally painted and drew until he found his passion for photography of feminine chic and glamour. I am feminine, chic, glamorous, sparkly, and styled in the forty's, hence my definite appreciation of Irving Penn. :) He likes PENNsylvania because his last name is PENN. He worked in the first stages of Vogue. He is a legend. His secret was simplicity. He was one of the first to use plain white or grey backdrops to focus on the subject. He focused on expression to bring a sense of drama to the image. His signature technique. I respect him because he used au natural window light. Instead of a studio with huge stage spotlights, he used a skylight. That's legit. He makes the model stand out, and not be so fake. LOVE him. He married his favorite model. awwwww. But she died 17 years ago. They had one son, Tom Penn, who became a designer. How perfect. Clarity. Composition. Form. These techniques helped Mr. Penn make almost anything an original, artistic (Slade's favorite adjective) interesting photograph. "Photographing a cake can be art." He inspires me. He knows how to tell a story, change a life through his art.
"A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it. It is, in a word, effective." --Irving Penn.
Here are some perfect examples of his simplicity of fashion. All the eye catches is the model, and her hat. Which is the objective.
I love this one. Her make up is brilliant, her hand placement is brilliant, I want her hat with the feather stuff.
i.love.this.
The expression is priceless. That was his secret--portraying emotion. This is my favorite I think.
i.love.this.too.
It shows his simplicity and clarity and cleanliness. This is refreshing. I'm going to print it big and put it in my room.
This is legendary. Epic. The famous photo--for a reason. It's brilliant. I want her hat, her net, her everything. Which is his goal right? I love her expression. I love the clarity. I love everything about this photo.
Here is some modern stuff he's done. This shows his signiture center shot, clean, simple, on a plain dropback.
I want this coat. I loveeeee love love love love her expression. She looks like her coat is what is making her so happy, so I want it. Irving knows exactly how to do his job--he's perfect for fashion photography.
I.am.in.love.with.this.
This is one of my favorite photographs I have ever seen in my entire life. I love the car. It explains the setting, along with his hat and coat. I love his stance and arms/hands. It shows naivity and innocence in a positive way. I want this little boy. He is handsome, confident, concerned. Ready to stand up for something he believes in. This has changed my life. Thank you Irving Penn.
Never shall I forget you.
