Annie Leibovitz
Born: Oct 2, 1949 in Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S
Nationality: American Style: Portrait photographer Education: San Francisco Art Institute Annie Leibovitz is an American photographer best known for her work in portraits, especially that of celebrities. Born in Connecticut in 1949, she was interested in art from a young age. |
Upon finishing high school, Leibovitz studied painting at the San Francisco Art Institute, where the family was then living. She had displayed some interest in photography, but it was very much in second place compared to her interest in painting. However, during a vacation to Japan, she developed a greater interest in photography and eventually enrolled in photography classes when she returned to home.
Leibovitz spent several months in an Israeli kibbutz where she took numerous photographs. When she returned to the United States the following year, she contacted John Wenner, who had just launched Rolling Stone magazine, in hopes of getting a job with the magazine as a photographer. Wenner liked her portfolio and gave her an assignment to do portraits of John Lennon. Her work was so striking that one of her portraits of Lennon was even featured on the cover of the January 1971 issue of the magazine. In 1973, Wenner elevated her to chief photographer.
All of Leibovitz’s training and work in photography had been in black-and-white. In 1974, Rolling Stone began publishing color images and Leibovitz faced the challenge of adjusting. She had to learn new skills, especially how to light subjects, and proved that she was capable.
Leibovitz spent several months in an Israeli kibbutz where she took numerous photographs. When she returned to the United States the following year, she contacted John Wenner, who had just launched Rolling Stone magazine, in hopes of getting a job with the magazine as a photographer. Wenner liked her portfolio and gave her an assignment to do portraits of John Lennon. Her work was so striking that one of her portraits of Lennon was even featured on the cover of the January 1971 issue of the magazine. In 1973, Wenner elevated her to chief photographer.
All of Leibovitz’s training and work in photography had been in black-and-white. In 1974, Rolling Stone began publishing color images and Leibovitz faced the challenge of adjusting. She had to learn new skills, especially how to light subjects, and proved that she was capable.
This is a photograph Leibovitz took for the 2012 film Les Miserables, and is simply titled 'Les Miserables'. This particular photo, of the character young Cosette, is used as the film's promotional and merchandise cover. Taken in a studio, the photograph seeks to communicate the sorrow of the character and to display the theme of innocence. Since the photograph focuses on the face of the girl, it draws you into her eyes making the viewer think on her emotions, in this case, it has a rather sombre feeling. As one side of her face is slightly darkened, it adds to the sullen feeling of the photo. The theme of innocence is also successfully communicated due to the character.
I think that Leibovitz would have had to have quite a sound relationship with the subject whilst taking the photograph; since she is a person, she would have needed to be spoken to in order to know what she is meant to do. Also, as she is young, she may have needed additional prep, even though she is a professional.
The title of the photograph, I think, brings the whole theme together as it shares the title with the film.
This photo is taken in high contrast colour which brings out one of the main features of it, Cosette's eyes. The high contrast also brings out the blue in the whole image. Blue being, a connotation of sadness, adds to the mood of the image.
Since it is a portrait, there are additional shapes present, however the fact that her hair is being blown across her face and behind her adds texture. Since the subject is positioned slightly to the right of the photograph, we can assume that Leibovitz has used the rule of thirds as a tool to better draw the viewers attention to the subject. Her face takes up more space than the blue of the background to the right, however in the left the blue is clearly visible behind her hair, also a feature of the photo.
I think that Leibovitz would have had to have quite a sound relationship with the subject whilst taking the photograph; since she is a person, she would have needed to be spoken to in order to know what she is meant to do. Also, as she is young, she may have needed additional prep, even though she is a professional.
The title of the photograph, I think, brings the whole theme together as it shares the title with the film.
This photo is taken in high contrast colour which brings out one of the main features of it, Cosette's eyes. The high contrast also brings out the blue in the whole image. Blue being, a connotation of sadness, adds to the mood of the image.
Since it is a portrait, there are additional shapes present, however the fact that her hair is being blown across her face and behind her adds texture. Since the subject is positioned slightly to the right of the photograph, we can assume that Leibovitz has used the rule of thirds as a tool to better draw the viewers attention to the subject. Her face takes up more space than the blue of the background to the right, however in the left the blue is clearly visible behind her hair, also a feature of the photo.