PHOTO 337 Irving Penn

  Irving Penn was born in 1917 in Plainfield, New Jersey. He was born to immigrant parents. Penn was one of the 21st century's greatest photographers. Although he was one of the most well known and top studio photographers out there, he was a very private man and kept most of his works to himself. Penn traveled many places doing his work throughout the years, he went to Mexico, New York, Japan, Spain, Nepal, pairs, etc. before returning to New York to finish most of his career there. After World War II, Penn really began to capture his portrait photography. When Penn was traveling he was allowed to take photos of whatever inspired him the most. He was allowed his own freedom of focus for his photos.

One of his portrait projects that I found most interesting was the "Small Trades" project. Penn traveled the world and took photos of people who were selling things on the streets to make a living. This photo above, similar to many other small trade photos I enjoy is one of my favorites. I enjoy the way Penn made people feel comfortable in the photos and captured what the sell in their photo. For example, the picture above shows a man who sells vegetables on the streets. The man seems to enjoy what he does because of his facial expression. The contrasts in the photo also really stand out to me. The vegetables are beautifully highlighted as the clothing he wears are in deep contrast to bring out what he sells on the streets. The main idea of this project was to present what the people on the streets sell and how they felt about what they sell and how life was for them. 

Another photo I like from this series is this one below. I like this photo because it is taken so well. These two men are butchers from Paris. Their faces captured in this photo show their pride in what they do. I like how Penn captured the blood and the knives they use to do their job. This photo almost reminds me of a father son duo in the working life. This photo really stood out to me because even though it is black and white, the contrasts and highlights bring out the importance of small trades during this time. 

Penn was and still is one of the most important studio photographers known today. He is known for his beautiful use of contrast and highlights in black and white photography to capture the emotion and important in the people we see in his photos today.