Portrait+Assignment



Research the work of two portrait photographers. Provide at least two examples of their work and explain unique aspects of their technique in capturing images of people. What are some typical elements of their work?

1)ANNIE LEIBOVITZ

She is an American portrait photographer, born in Connecticut. She attended the San Francisco Art Institute, where she studied painting.When Leibovitz returned to the United States in 1970, she started her career as staff photographer, working for the just launched //Rolling Stone// magazine. In 1973, publisher Jann Wenner named Leibovitz chief photographer of //Rolling Stone//, a job she would hold for 10 years. Leibovitz worked for the magazine until 1983, and her intimate photographs of celebrities helped define the //Rolling Stone// look. On December 8, 1980, Leibovitz had a photo shoot with John Lennon for //Rolling Stone//, promising him that he would make the cover. She had initially tried to get a picture with just Lennon alone, which is what //Rolling Stone// wanted, but Lennon insisted that both he and Yoko Ono be on the cover. Leibovitz then tried to re-create something like the kissing scene from the //Double Fantasy// album cover, a picture that she loved. She had John remove his clothes and curl up next to Yoko. Leibovitz recalls, "What is interesting is she said she'd take her top off and I said, 'Leave everything on' — not really preconceiving the picture at all. Then he curled up next to her and it was very, very strong. You couldn't help but feel that she was cold and he looked like he was clinging on to her. I think it was amazing to look at the first Polaroid and they were both very excited. John said, 'You've captured our relationship exactly. Promise me it'll be on the cover.' I looked him in the eye and we shook on it."Leibovitz was the last person to professionally photograph Lennon—he was shot and killed five hours later.



2)NIGEL BARKER

Barker is currently a judge on Tyra Banks' reality show, //America's Next Top Model//. He was also an official judge for the Miss America Pageant in 2007 and also serves as executive producer for the VH1 photography-based reality contest, //The Shot//. Barker made a special appearance as a photographer on the third cycle of //Canada's Next Top Model//, and in Episode 10 of the first cycle of //New Zealand's Next Top Model//. Barker appeared as guest judge and photographer on the first cycle of //Mexico's Next Top Model//. He also made a guest appearance on the second cycle of //Benelux' Next Top Model//. The elements used in his photos are most texture and studio.
 * Nigel Barker** (born 27 April 1972) is an English famous fashion photographer. He is famous for participating of the show America's Next Top Model.