When I Grow Up...
...I want to be Lillian Bassman
Portrait of Lillian & Interview by Renée Jacobs
I first posted about this amazing photographer just over a year ago, her haunting black & white fashion images are a true source of inspiration. Over the weekend I read a wonderful interview with the 93 year old icon in Focus Magazine. It was fascinating to read about her early beginnings in a field so dominated by men at the time she began. I also found it striking that she manipulated a lot her final images in the darkroom as we do with Photoshop today. So ahead of her time.
"I had a desire, and this is without knowing photography, to soften the image, to eliminate what I thought was unimportant in the image."
"I was in car riding parrallel to her and we were driving 25 or 30mph, then 50!"
"Eventually when you get it to the point where you want it, there's a real sense of excitment. I still love to photograph"
Lillian is known for her b/w but I discovered this stunning color image of Suzy Parker via this incredible photostream. It is an amazingly comprehensive collection of vintage fashion images. Sets are sorted by models, designers and photographers, including a fantastic archive of Lillian's work. I think the key to staying young is to never stop learning. I love that Lillian is now dabbling in digital and working with her images on a computer, "...learning how to retouch and play."
I mentioned this book of Lillian's work before and it is worth the small splurge. You can also collect Lillian's original work, she is represented by the Staley ♦ Wise Gallery.
I found Focus through the Zinio iPad app , it also available for download for either your iPad or iPhone via iTunes, or look for it at Boarders or Barnes & Noble. I got it mainly for the article on Lillian but found lots of other interesting articles and plenty of beautiful images.
first photo © Renée Jacobs all other photos © Lillian Bassman & content © Lara Rossignol
Monday, March 14, 2011 at 5:00AM
Reader Comments (5)
Oooh, there is just something so haunting about the photo of the gal with the fur...I love it!
Thank you for this inspiring and encouraging post, as I seem to have lost my 'camera eye' in our relocation move. I agree -- never stop learning is the key to a long and happy life.
What a beautiful post, filled with beautiful photos and great information. I didn't know Lilian and I am fascinated about her person and her photos. Thank you for sharing this!
Very regrettably, that the name of it remarkably the photographer is connected with swindler David S. Spivak, it is the editor focus mag.
He deceives people and it money interests only.
It magazine this cover of its roguish schemes and a deceit of people
I can see why you want to be her :) It's my new dream as well:)
XoXo
Plami
http://fashion-thrill.blogspot.com/