Photo's - Annie Leibovitz

I like this image of Scarlett Johanson from Annie's recent shoot for Disney, known as her disney dream series. This series of photos shows many A-list celebirites taking on a fictional character, these photos show the youth behind such poised and classy celebrities.

This photograph of the Queen, shot by Annie Leibovitz shows the queen looking comfortable in her environment. She doesn't look out of place or uncomfortable she looks perfectly placed in this photo, with the lighting and colours around her all working in harmony to make her the main focal point.

Sources

Bio. 2012. Annie Leibovitz Biography. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/annie-leibovitz-9542372. [Accessed 29 August 12].

Bio. 2012. Annie Leibovitz Biography. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0973425/bio. [Accessed 29 August 12].

Bio. 2012. Annie Leibovitz Vanity Fair. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.vanityfair.com/contributors/annie-leibovitz. [Accessed 29 August 12].

Fashion Managment. 2012. Annie Leibovitz . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.fashionmanagement.se/pict/showreel/critical/AnnieLeibovitz_HannaAronsson.pdf. [Accessed 31 August 12].

David's Voice. 2012. Annie Leibovitz; Always in Style. [ONLINE] Available at: http://davidsvoice.org/page.aspx?id=156951. [Accessed 31 August 12].

Marie Antoinette

This clip from Annie Leibovitz' Marie Antoinette shoot for Vouge it shows how they shot the photos to achieve the final product. I really like this clip as it shows her style of photographing.

Image Analaysis

Image Analysis

I like this image taken for Annie Leibovitz’ Marie Antoinette inspired photo shoot for Vouge. I like the traditional look to this photo and I also like the way the masks on the faces add a sense of darkness and unknown to the photo. The way no eye contact is given in the photo give more depth to the image looking as if there is more beyond the lens. The way she is looking at him but he has his back turned to her creates a sense of unreturned love for one partner. I like the carriage used as it is very old Victorian style its light colours allow her to standout with her black dress making her look less innocent.

One of the art elements displayed in the photograph is the element of colour; the colours that are produced in this image contrast well against each other. Therefore making the main focal point (the male & female) stand out against the twilight background through the use of dark costumes allowing the characters to become the dominant features in the photograph. The pastel colours used on the carriage adds an overall a feel of calming to the final product, although the lady dressed in black becomes the focus of the photograph. The other element that I believe is evident in this photograph is the element of shape. The carriage itself particularly demonstrates this with the array of different shapes presented from the door to the windows, then with the large round wheel at the back combines the different shapes together to display an old Victorian style carriage. They draw your attention with the use of gold window tracings and outlines almost framing objects of emphasis (the lady stepping off the carriage). Also there is a certain principle of design that is shown to the viewer. I believe this principle is proportion.

This principle is displayed through the placement of the man and woman; they all look as if they are on the same level. The lady stepping onto the stairs to get off the carriage and the man being on the ground placed in a position in which he is almost on the same level as her. The trees in the foreground of the photo are in proportion with the carriage creating a sense of balance and unity. The wheels on the carriage are at a height in which they are at level with the man, with the feathers on top of the carriage creating a sense of height being at the same level as the lady coming off the carriage.

Annie Leibovitz - Influences

Who and what were they influenced by?

Some of Annie Leibovitz’ influences included Cartier-Bresson, Robert Frank and Richard Avedon. Cartier-Bresson was her first influence as it was the first book she read in regard to photography making her realise what it actually meant to be a photographer. Robert Franks and Cartier-Bresson were at the San Francisco Art Institute at the same time in which Annie Leibovitz was studying at the institute. She liked the way their photos were taken in a style of personal rampage, taken in a graphic yet composed way, this was a way in which she was taught to replicate. Once she started her job at rolling stones she realised what was being done in magazine and they amounts of work that went into producing fashion magazines. This was when she began to look to Richard Avedon and his portraits, she saw him as a ‘powerful example’. When Leibovitz was raking her photos it was during the time of the Vietnam War and through the peace movement, this is reflected through her photos especially of John Lennon and his wife it is a raw image that is untouched and peaceful.  Her big break was in 1975 when she was on tour with Rolling Stones this time was during the peace movements of America.

 

Annie Leibovitz - Theme

What styles and techniques are shown in their photos?

Annie Leibovitz has a unique style and technique. Her main objective is to make her subject comfortable in the photographs; this is shown through placing her subject in an environment in which they feel comfortable. Her photos capture the characters and attitudes behind the celebrity. Leibovitz generally will work with bold colours and unexpected poses in her photos this is known as her trademark technique. She draws the attention of the viewers with her almost provocative and eye catching photos; this is shown as she is not afraid to show what no one else does. Her lens choice was always 35mm as it was more environmental, she chose this lens because she knew you could not come close to the subject; Annie Leibovitz considered coming close to the subject as being boring. Annie Leibovitz sees her job allowing her to capture a part of a person’s life in a few minutes.

This photograph of Johnny Depp isn't as provocative as the others but it does allow Johnny to be comfortable in his environment being himself. The colours in the photo are bold against the rather subtle background colours therefore illustrating Annie's trademark technique.

 

Annie Leibovitz - Themes

What themes are shown in their photos?

Her more recent photos all have the underlying theme of youth and life. Majority of her portraits have some form of link to fairy tales and or childhood films. In her celebrity portraits the celebrity personality takes on a role that is unique to their personality majority of them are more serious, rather than more young and happy photo.

I really like this photo of the Obama family, they look really comfortable in the photo, it shows them being themselves. They don't look like they're acting they look really natural and happy.