Category Archives: Inspirational Photographers

A photograph offers a rare opportunity to show the world just how you view a subject, and the way the photographer views light, shape, texture, composition greatly affects the shot they produce. Irving Penn is considered a genius for his use of light, composition, and printing techniques. This picture taken from National Portrait Gallery titled rock groups shows Big Brother and the Hold Company and the Grateful Dead in San Francisco 1967.

Penn is perhaps best known as a fashion and portrait photographer becoming known for post World War II, glamour chic.

He was given the honor of shooting the first color cover for Vogue which is pictured below:

We leave you with some quotes from the legend until the next time…

“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 one word, effective.” —Irving Penn.

“Sensitive people faced with the prospect of a camera portrait put on a face they think is one they would like to show the world. …Very often what lies behind the facade is rare and more wonderful than the subject knows or dares to believe.” —Irving Penn, 1975.