Photographer: Richard Avedson
Date of photographers life: 1923-2004
1. Personal backround: Richard Avedson was born May 15, 1923 in New Yord City. Richards father, Jacob Israel Avedson owned a clothing store called Advensons fifth Avenue which inspired Richard to want to photograph clothes in his fathers store. When he was just 12 years old he joined the (Young Mens Camera Club). Richard went to Dewitt Clintin High School where he continued his photography. Later he dropped out of Columbia University after just a year and soon after that he served in the United States Marines during World War II. In The 1950's he created elegant black and white photos showing latest fasions then worked for numerous famous photography companies and in 1992 Richard became the first staff photographer in the history of the New yorker. Richard passed in 2004 at age 81.
2. Style: Richard Avedson was most noticed for his work in the fasion world also for his minialist, large scale portraits. Some of his most famous and iconic photos were in black and white like the photograph "Dovima with Elephants". In the sixties he did political photography of people such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. From the mid sixties to the nineties he did more controversial photography styles.
If I were to compare Richard Avedson's photos to a painting then it would probably be some of Charles Bierk's black and white portrait paintings.
3. Philosophy: Richard Avedson's photographs are not just plain black and white images, they convey something that is not ordinary in the slightest. Richard Avedson believed that the story of his life was best told through his photographs. Advedson said himself "Sometimes I think all my pictures are just pictures of me. The major inspiration for his photography was fashion.
His dad owned a clothing store and he worked for vogue magazine and thats why fashion was a major idea
behind alot of Avedson's photographs.
4. Influence: Richard Avedson was a amazing photographer and he influenced many people including me. His photos in my opinion show simplicity and complexity all in one photo. I like how he adds a kind of personality to his portrait photos instead of just having a blank face. Black and white photography makes up most of Avedson's photography. I think thats cool because when I take a photo and just by simply making the photo black and white causes it to be seen exponentially different, giving it an entire new way of looking at it. Overall Richard Avedson is a very professional and inspiring photographer.
5. Sources http://www.avedonfoundation.org/
Compare and Contrast: I tried to get my images as close to Richards images as I could with the resources I had. The first thing I had to do was move a couch out of my living room so I could use the white wall behind it. The first image I took was of my brother, I just went into my closet and found the closest thing to the outfit I could find. The second Picture is probably my favorite because I like to wear suits and I think it turned out fairly well. The third image I shot was of my cousin, I just tried to position the shot as best as I could so I could match Richards image.
Artist Statement: My final project on Richard Avedson was very enjoyable to do. I found it very interesting to learn all about him and his personal life. It was very fun looking at all the different styles and characteristics that Richard Avedson had. My favorite part would be recreating the photos and editing the photos to look like the originals. The black and white really adds a key element that is essential. Richard Avedson is a very inspiring, creative, and passionate photographer. I am very glad that I decided to pick Richard Avedson to do my final project on.
Artist Statement: My final project on Richard Avedson was very enjoyable to do. I found it very interesting to learn all about him and his personal life. It was very fun looking at all the different styles and characteristics that Richard Avedson had. My favorite part would be recreating the photos and editing the photos to look like the originals. The black and white really adds a key element that is essential. Richard Avedson is a very inspiring, creative, and passionate photographer. I am very glad that I decided to pick Richard Avedson to do my final project on.