The great portrait photographer Arnold Newman was born on this day in 1918. We met in the early 80's when I had a chance to visit him in his NY studio, and I showed him my large format portraits.
I consider him to be one of the great portrait photographers of all time. Great work, great books. A true legend.
That picture is a great keepsake. And I agree with you about his talents.
Edited to add: I just spent some time on the Arnold Newman website looking at the portraits. It really is mind-blowing what he accomplished with a camera and a deep understanding of his subjects. A true master.
I don’t recall the year but Arnold Newman had attended the University of Miami and was having an exhibition at the Loew Museum on campus. As part of his visit he juried a show for an organization I belonged to that met at the U. Before the events we hosted a member’s cocktail party for him and his wife. Unfortunately there was a hurricane in New York and his plans were delayed. Just the same we had the party without them He did set up a lecture series that still continues today.
Great photographer, and author of not only one of my favorite photographs — one of the most brilliant portrait of an artist even done, if you ask me —, but also one of my favorite contact sheets, which lead to said photograph . I look at it often to remind myself that even the great ones have to work hard, try and try over and over again, to reach results they are satisfied with.