RICHARD AVEDON FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPHER PROJECT

Samuel Beckett, writer, Paris, France, April 13, 1979

Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, headed by Julian Bond, Atlanta, Georgia, March 23, 1963

Veruschka, dress by Kimberly, New York, January 4, 1967

Jacqueline Delubac, Volpi Ball, Venice, Italy, August 31, 1991

Richard Avedon (1923-2004)

  • Richard was born and lived in New York City

  • He joined the armed forces in 1942 during World War II, serving as Photographer’s Mate Second Class in the U.S. Merchant Marine. As he described it, “My job was to do identity photographs. I must have taken pictures of one hundred thousand faces before it occurred to me I was becoming a photographer."

  • At the age of twenty-two, Avedon began working as a freelance photographer, primarily for Harper’s Bazaar. Initially denied the use of a studio by the magazine, he photographed models and fashions on the streets, in nightclubs, at the circus, on the beach and at other uncommon locations, employing the endless resourcefulness and inventiveness that became a hallmark of his art. Under Brodovitch’s tutelage, he quickly became the lead photographer for Harper’s Bazaar.

  • Throughout, Avedon ran a successful commercial studio, and is widely credited with erasing the line between “art” and “commercial” photography. His brand-defining work and long associations with Calvin Klein, Revlon, Versace, and dozens of other companies resulted in some of the best-known advertising campaigns in American history.

Self Portrait, Richard Avedon

Dovima with elephants, evening dress by Dior, Cirque d'Hiver, Paris, August 1955

COMPOSITION: Centered (the model is centered) and Asymmetrical Balance (the elephants are asymmetrically balanced on each side of the model)

LIGHT: The light was controlled with studio lights and natural light.

Similarities:

Both Maille and the subject in Avedon’s photo are facing the same way, have the same expression, and are wearing similar outfits. They are both in similar poses and the angle at which the photo is taken is the same. The subject of the photo is in between two larger objects.


Differences:

In my photo Maille is between two trees instead of two elephants. The background of my photo is also more busier than Avedon’s. The arch of the models back is also different.


COMPOSITION: Centered (the model is centered) and Asymmetrical Balance (the trees are asymmetrically balanced on each side of the model)

LIGHT: The light was controlled by using the sun.


Richard Avedon (American, 1923-2004), Dorian Leigh, mode. Hat by Paulette. Paris, August, 1949


COMPOSITION: Rule of thirds. The model is the main focal point and she is in the rule of thirds top right intersection

LIGHT: This shot was taken into the mirror--that reflection creates more light. There were lights turned on in the room and on the mirror.

Similarities: Maille and the model in Avedon’s photo are both doing their makeup and have similar facial expressions. There is an obstruction in my photo as there is in Avedon’s (the containers). They are both wearing black and have something black on their head. They are both wearing pearl necklaces.


Differences: Avedon’s photo has different lighting and is a picture of a mirror image (he is standing behind the woman and taking the photograph into the mirror) where mine is a picture of a person (I am standing in front of the model and taking a photo of her.


COMPOSITION: Centered. The model is the main focal point and she is centered in the frame

LIGHT: This shot was taken into a window. Sunlight through the glass created reflection for a light source.

Carmen (Homage to Munkacsi) Coat by Cardin, Place Francois-Premier, Paris, August, 1957


COMPOSITION: Centered. The model is the main focal point and she is centered in the frame

LIGHT: This shot was outside with natural sunlight.

Similarities: Both Maille and Avedon’s model are in long jackets, have on black shoes, are midair, and are carrying an umbrella. Both photos are taken from a side angle. Also, both photos are taken in black and white.


Differences:

Avedon’s model is in a city whereas Maille is not. Avedon’s photo has the woman at the direct center of the photo and the photo is taken from a direct side point of view. Additionally, Avedon’s model is more of taking a step whereas Maille is leaping.


COMPOSITION: Centered. The model is the main focal point and she is centered in the frame

LIGHT: This shot was outside with natural sunlight.

Richard Avedon, 1956, Black and White Photography Portrait, Audrey Hepburn


COMPOSITION: Rule of thirds. The model is the main focal point and she is in the rule of thirds left intersection

LIGHT: This shot was taken into the mirror--that reflection creates more light. There were lights turned on in the room behind the model

Similarities: Both Maille and Audrey are looking into a mirror at their own reflection. The photograph is taken from behind he subject in both photos.


Differences: In my photo the subject is taking up more of the frame whereas Avedon’s is not. Avedon has a pure black background and I don’t. Also, the mirror Audrey uses and her hands around it are different than what Maille is using. Also, Audrey’s upper half of her face and barely any hair is shown whereas in my photo this is included.


COMPOSITION: Centered. The model is the main focal point and she is in the centered in the frame

LIGHT: This shot was taken into the mirror--that reflection creates more light. There was natural sunlight shining through the glass window to reflect more light.

WORKS/SOURCES CITED

https://www.avedonfoundation.org/

https://fraenkelgallery.com/artists/richard-avedon

https://www.pacegallery.com/artists/richard-avedon/