Biography:
Halsman was born in Riga coming from Jewish parents, Morduch Halsman who was a dentist, and Ita Grintuch, who was a school principal. He studied electrical engineering in college. When he was fifteen years old, he discovered a camera in his father's attic. He then photographed his sister by the window. When he developed the photos in his bathroom, he realized that he was in love with photography. When he was 22 however, he was accused of his own father’s murder; While they were on a hiking trip in the Austrian Tyrol, an area notorious for antisemitism. After a trial based on evidence from the circumstances of the situation, he was sentenced to four years in prison. But that didn’t stop him from becoming a very accomplished photographer.
Halsman was born in Riga coming from Jewish parents, Morduch Halsman who was a dentist, and Ita Grintuch, who was a school principal. He studied electrical engineering in college. When he was fifteen years old, he discovered a camera in his father's attic. He then photographed his sister by the window. When he developed the photos in his bathroom, he realized that he was in love with photography. When he was 22 however, he was accused of his own father’s murder; While they were on a hiking trip in the Austrian Tyrol, an area notorious for antisemitism. After a trial based on evidence from the circumstances of the situation, he was sentenced to four years in prison. But that didn’t stop him from becoming a very accomplished photographer.
Style:
Halsman was a portrait photographer following a surrealist- like style after meeting the artist Salvador Dalí. Majority of his photographs are black and white and experiment with using contrast and dark tones. Many of his portraits document everyday people and were used in magazines but he often experimented with different props. Specifically, his works based on the technique of Dalí used the power of illusion to mimic the aura illustrated in the artist’s pieces. More specifically, Dali’s “The Face of War” painting, was a heavy influence of his work. People would explain his style as “literal” or “ideographic” because he used techniques to depict his subjects as honestly and clearly as possible.
Halsman was a portrait photographer following a surrealist- like style after meeting the artist Salvador Dalí. Majority of his photographs are black and white and experiment with using contrast and dark tones. Many of his portraits document everyday people and were used in magazines but he often experimented with different props. Specifically, his works based on the technique of Dalí used the power of illusion to mimic the aura illustrated in the artist’s pieces. More specifically, Dali’s “The Face of War” painting, was a heavy influence of his work. People would explain his style as “literal” or “ideographic” because he used techniques to depict his subjects as honestly and clearly as possible.
Philosophy:
He had a very particular perspective on the art of photography and believed that capturing the essence of his subjects was a very important part. "If the photograph of a human being does not show a deep psychological insight it is not a true portrait but an empty likeness” He wants something deeper, therefore, his main goal isn’t composition, play of light, a meaningful background, or creation of a new visible image. He stated, “All these elements can make an empty picture a visually interesting image, but in order to be a portrait the photograph must capture the essence of its subject."
He had a very particular perspective on the art of photography and believed that capturing the essence of his subjects was a very important part. "If the photograph of a human being does not show a deep psychological insight it is not a true portrait but an empty likeness” He wants something deeper, therefore, his main goal isn’t composition, play of light, a meaningful background, or creation of a new visible image. He stated, “All these elements can make an empty picture a visually interesting image, but in order to be a portrait the photograph must capture the essence of its subject."
Influences:
Philippe Halsman’s deep and contrasted portraits influenced me by observing the lighting and the angle of which I take my photos. Additionally, his experimentation with props inspired me to add props of my own to my works. At first, it didn’t make sense, but I understood how to integrate certain materials in my photos. Philippe Halsman taught me to take certain things in my everyday life and bring out the smaller details in my photos. In conclusion, Halsman’s impact on my work significantly changed my perspective on photography.
Philippe Halsman’s deep and contrasted portraits influenced me by observing the lighting and the angle of which I take my photos. Additionally, his experimentation with props inspired me to add props of my own to my works. At first, it didn’t make sense, but I understood how to integrate certain materials in my photos. Philippe Halsman taught me to take certain things in my everyday life and bring out the smaller details in my photos. In conclusion, Halsman’s impact on my work significantly changed my perspective on photography.
Sources: |
Compare & Contrast: |
Title: Muhammad Ali
https://www.artsy.net/artwork/philippe-halsman-muhammad-ali-born-cassius-clay |
The goal of this picture is to replicate the iconic portrait of Mohammad Ali which was taken in 1963. The point of this photo- like all of Halsmans portraits- is to capture the essence of the subject. As you can see, my subject doesn't look identical to the person in the other portrait. He is not wearing gloves either. And I think that is okay because the purpose of the photos lies in the expression on each subjects face which is what I wanted to extenuate in this picture.
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Artist Statement:
I chose to take this photo because I really liked the way It was taken. The photo emphasizes the facial expression of the subject. This causes the viewer to think about the context of the photo. The focus in the subjects eyes suggests that he is prepared to defend himself. |
Title: Shirley Maclaine
https://everyday-i-show.livejournal.com/150836.html |
In my second photo, I attempt to replicate Halsman's famous Shirley Maclane picture. Evidently, both girls are in mid air during the photos. I chose to take my picture from a different angle because I wanted the focus to be on the fact that my subject was in mid air. To me, both pictures represent freedom, youth, and looseness. What I find cool is that according to Halsman's philosophy, the background and lighting are irrelevant to the the picture (although they can be a nice bonus) so it was not difficult for me to take a similar photo.
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Title: Devine Marilyn
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/badleye/philippe-halsman-photographer/ |
Here, I recreate Halsman's "Devine Marilyn" picture. In each photo, there is a woman leaning on a railing. I believe the fact that they were leaning so awkwardly has a deeper meaning. To me, they resemble authenticity and energy. The most noticeable difference however, would be the angles that they were taken at. But this doesn't matter.
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