An established photographer has his or her own style. It’s no surprise that this is what makes each artist and their work unique. To underscore this point one only need to dig through image archives once in a while to see how different photographers have interpreted the same subject. The findings are powerful.
Photographs of people are best for this exercise, and perhaps no subject is more alluring than Andy Warhol, who–perfect for our analysis– was photographed by so many of the great image makers of 20th century. Below are some classic shots from Mapplethorpe, Avedon and Weegee, and a unique peek into some lesser known Warhol images…many of which he shot of himself.
In Cincinnati? With Pug dogs? In drag? A taste of the ’80’s, an icon, a Polaroid.
Note the remarkable differences–and the similarities–of each of the photos below, AND what each image says or doesn’t say. One subject, many different results.
Robert Mapplethorpe, 1986
Richard Avedon, 1969
Weegee, 1965
Stephanie Chernikowski, 1984
Bernard Gotfryd, 1980's
Nancy Schiff, 1981
Herve Gloaguen, 1966
Self Portrait, 1979
Self Portrait, 1979
Self Portrait in Drag
Self Portrait in Drag
Self Portrait in Drag
Self Portrait in Drag
Herve Gloaguen, 1966 … i like this portrait because it is subtle… understated…. it stresses the point that even though Warhol is famous …. he is still just another person… and the portrait is just of another moment in his life.
Karsh also did a great portrait of Warhol: http://i12bent.tumblr.com/post/186011735/yusuf-does-the-artists-yusuf-karsh-andy-warhol
I was fortunate to have photographed Andy Warhol with his exhibition of self portraits in London back in the 1980’s. One of the portraits was selected for an exhibition entitled ” Andy Warhol Other Voices Other Rooms”.
http://paullovelace.photoshelter.com/gallery/Andy-Warhol-At-The-Opening-Of-His-Self-Portrait-Exhibition/G0000_U8p_TcNa7A/
Andy Warhol was the Cleveland Jr. of the art world.
Poetic justice perhaps that the man obsessed with surface had it so rough.
Many interpret Warhol’s work as impersonal. Yet I am assured he ate Campbell’s soup for lunch every day for 30 years.
Arent they different locations as well. Does that count?