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BIOGRAPHIES
AVEDON, RICHARD
USA, 1923
Born in New York in 1923, Richard Avedon dropped
out of high school and joined the Merchant Marine's photographic
section. Upon his return in 1944, he found a job as a photographer
in a department store. Within two years he had been "found"
by an art director at HARPER'S BAZAAR and was producing work
for them as well as VOGUE, LOOK, and a number of other magazines.
During the early years, Avedon made his living primarily
through work in advertising. His real passion, however, was
the portrait and its ability to express the essence of its
subject. |
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As Avedon's notoriety grew, so did the opportunities to meet and photograph
celebrities from a broad range of disciplines. Avedon's ability to
present personal views of public figures, who were otherwise distant
and inaccessible, was immediately recognized by the public and the
celebrities themselves. Many sought out Avedon for their most public
images. His artistic style brought a sense of sophistication and authority
to the portraits. More than anything, it is Avedon's ability to set
his subjects at ease that helps him create true, intimate, and lasting
photographs.
Throughout his career Avedon has maintained a unique style all his
own. Famous for their minimalism, Avedon portraits are often well
lit and in front of white backdrops. When printed, the images regularly
contain the dark outline of the film in which the image was framed.
Within the minimalism of his empty studio, Avedon's subjects move
freely, and it is this movement which brings a sense of spontaneity
to the images. Often containing only a portion of the person being
photographed, the images seem intimate in their imperfection. While
many photographers are interested in either catching a moment in time
or preparing a formal image, Avedon has found a way to do both.
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