Irving Penn 1917-2009

Irving Penn was a very interesting photographer of the 20th century. He was born in Plainfield New Jersey on June 16th 1917, and just recently passed away on October 7, 2009. He went to the Philadelphia Museum of Art at age 18 for 4 years, during which time he spend two summers working at the Harper Bazaar. His job at the Harper Bazaar was to make copies, and sketch shoes. At this point in his life he had no thoughts of becoming a photographer, only of an artist. In fact, at the age of 25 he spent a year in Mexico painting, at the end of which he decided that he would never be more than a mediocre painter and took up photography. He was later quoted as saying,

"I am a professional photographer because it is the best way I know to earn money I require to take care of my wife and children."

He led a very successful photographic career, his work being featured in among others, Vogue, Museum of Modern Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Addison Gallery of American Art, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. He had a wonderful variety in his work shooting during his career for editorial illustrations, advertising, photojournalism, portraits, still life, travel, and even television. In a phrase that captures his attitude towards such a wide expanse of material, he is quoted as saying,

"Photographing a cake can be art."

Or in others words, it doesn't matter WHAT you are shooting, it is all about HOW you shoot it. He is a rather inspiring photographer because his black and white shots are so simple, and yet they manage to affect my emotions, and leave an impact. It is a shame that he is no longer around to continue producing such beautiful work!