Richard Avedon (1923-2004) was born and raised in New York City. His interest in photography began at a young age, at 12 he joined a camera club. This club was the Young Men’s Hebrew Association or YMHA for short. In High School, he attended DeWitt Clinton High School, Avedon was a co-editor of the school's magazine with James Baldwin. In high school one of his accomplishments was being named Poet Laureate out of all the New York City High Schools. After high school Avedon went on to join the armed forces during WWII. In the armed forces he was a photographers mate, and in this he would identify photos. After two years he left and began his career as a professional photographer.
At 22, Avedon began his work as a freelance photographer. He first started working for Harper’s Bazaar, here he shot models, and fashion, as well as nightlife and some uncommon locations. Soon after working for them, he became the lead photographer for them. From his early career he always would capture formal portraits he would use for publication. Avedon was always fascinated by how capturing an image can tell so much about the subject, and it evoked their life. He was always confident in his work and this was shown through how he posed his models, dressed them, and the attitudes he had them portray. Later on in his career he shot famous Hollywood women like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn. Also he shot portraits of John F. Kennedy and his family. |
In the image, you see Marilyn Monroe, a beautiful popular actress in the 1950s, she is wearing a sequined dress with her hair curled and a worried/ relaxing face. Her facial expression bring the feelings to the image, Marilyn Monroe was known for her personality, but within this image she seems sad, as if her facade has been taken down, and this is what she really feels like. Richard Avedon is using simplicity, with a white background that shows a middle grey tone, and then having a sharp focus on the subject. He also used a faster shutter speed since everything is in focus.
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In this image, theres a man with a concerned look on his face, and a hand on his forehead casting a shadow over his eyes. This image gives me a feeling that maybe he's stressed after a long day of work. Richard Avedon used simplicity with the white background, but he also took a closer up image and used shadows.
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In this image, you see this guy Gordon Stevens. His hair is a bit scruffy and he is goofing off. It gives off a fun environment and feeling. In this image, Richard Avedon used simplicity with his white background.
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In the image, there is a girl, with her hair being blown back, possibly by a fan and her hair is crazy everywhere. This image reminds me of a fashion shoot by how she's posed, and she isn't in an everyday life place. Richard Avedon used stop action in this image, as well as simplicity and expansive depth of field.
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In this image is Marilyn Monroe, wearing a sequenced dress with her hair curled. She is smiling and this shows a high energy and shows Marilyn Monroes personality. Richard Avedon used simplicity with a simple white background to allow the subject to stand out. Also expansive depth of field so that everything is in focus.
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First Set of 30 Images
Final 30 Images
Final 5 Images
Final 5 Image Self Critiques
In this image, you see Stephanie with a subtle look on her face as she is looking down and away. This image gives off a sad feeling and its like Stephanie is in deep thought. This image is going off of Richard Avedons portrait of Marilyn Monroe, and I tried to reuse the mood the image gave off, as well as the simplicity of the background, as well as the soft lighting.
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In this image, Stephanie is in a mid laugh. This image gives off a happy feeling, and you can tell the model is comfortable in her environment. Avedon's image of Marilyn Monroe I tried to recreate, with how it was Marilyn Monroes natural personality, and here I caught Stephanies natural personality along with the similar elements of simplicity and I also used a little bit of stop action.
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In this image, you have Shane, he is staring down with his hand casting a shadow over his eyes, and he's in what seems to be deep thought. Here I thought this image brought a feeling of being stressed, and Shane looks stressed as well. I recreated the elements of the portrait Avedon shot of the close up of the man. Here I used shadows over Shanes face casted by his eyes, and then I used simplicity and expansive depth of field.
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In this image you have Shane laughing and just being goofy like he always is. This image gives the feeling of fun and carefree. I wanted to recreate Richard Avedons image of Gordon Stevens, and how the model is just goofing off and being himself, and with Shane in the studio thats easy to capture. I used shadows with the ones on his neck as well as expansive depth of field and simplicity.
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