Thanks for creating this comprehensive overview of Penn's career. His images of trash and discarded cigarette butts confounded me the first time I saw them; how could anyone create beauty out of raw material like that? I’ve since wondered if that series was more than just an exercise in technique and aesthetics--was Penn actually challenging his contemporaries and rivals with these images by demonstrating his ability to pick garbage out of filthy Manhattan gutters, and turn it into art?
Another unforgettable documentary! The European collections photographed by Penn in 1995 with Shalom Harlow were unforgettable, especially the shot of the corseted dress from behind--one of my favorite images of all time. It has the sensitivity and emotional depth of a 17th c Dutch portrait! Breathtaking,...
Well done. I really enjoy your exposés on important photographers. Keep up the great work. I would be interested is seeing your take on Herb Ritts. I know very little about him but he was undeniably influential at one time.
OMG YES! I have been searching for extended documentaries on his work but literally nothing. I have been surviving on bits and pieces. That man was amazing to say the least! I haven’t seen another photographer’s work that I resonate so much with.
Thanks so much for this. I love Penn since I have first held his monograph 'Passage', he is my master in photography. The Issey Miyake fashion images amaze me again and again. They must have met in person, though- there is a portrait of I.M. in the book... 2:26
Hi Stefan, I’m really happy you enjoyed this video. Penn’s work has such a special quality, it was a pleasure going through the archives in making this video.
Thanks for this great video. There are a lot of Penn’s photographs presented here that I had not seen before…..I have “Centennial”, “Passage”, and “A Career in Photography”; are there any other Penn books you could recommend? Again, many thanks for the terrific and informative video.
Hi John, I'm really happy you enjoyed the video. I've been moving around so much, I haven't been collecting his hard copy books in order to recommend which others to buy, BUT I will say, you can always check his work in the Vogue archives.
Thank you For a comprehensive piece. Couldnt have chosen better. Recommended for toddler moms who dont have time to watch several videos on one subject:)
Wow, this brought together a few things that I had known in some respect, but in isolation, and not realised the connection. Am absolutely loving this series, and resisting the temptation to binge watch it - it’s sooo good I want to make it last, and to make sure they don’t blur into one!
