Alexey Brodovich (Avedon, Penn, many more big NY names)

[jtk]

In-depth stories about Avedon always mention Brodovich but rarely actually say much. I decided to find out more.

I bought (Amazon, used) and have been studying two books about Alexey Brodovich (art director/graphic designer/photographer to whom Avedon, Penn, perhaps Salgado and many others have attributed some of their success.

One of the books is title "Ballet"...late 40s b&w Contax 35 photos by Brodovich himself was reportedly compelling to Avedon and his young peers. Helps explain AB's approach to photography and how that relates to page design.

The other book is simply "Alexey Brodovich" ...written by Purcell... huge number of photos and illustrations often reduced to thumbnail size in this giant book.

Neither book is easy reading or conventionally coffee-table-decorative (tho they're photo-books and are beautifully printed) but for Avedon fans like myself they should be catnip. Or..think of them as text books. I suggest buying them together.

As books about Brodovich, they both explain something about Avedon's approach to photography. Use of white space, for example.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Oooh. Something to add to my library. I'm a big Penn and Avedon fan. Brodovich was not widely known for his impact on fashion and commercial photography. I think he also art directed Hiro.

 

[tezzasmall]

Thanks for introducing me yet one more photographer that I didn't know about, jtk.

And another book for my collection.

Terry S

 

[jvo]

what little i know of brodovich was his mantra "shout the subject!"