A couple of weeks ago, this photograph by Mark Seliger in New York Magazine of actress Paz De La Huerta leapt off the page at me. I liked the attitude, the curves, and the grit of it. And as I thought about the picture, it reminded me of this photograph below by Helmut Newton of Elsa Peretti. The differences are as interesting as the similarities.
Helmut Newton. Elsa Peretti in a 'Bunny' costume by Halston, New York , 1975
Newton's is high fashion, Seliger's is all downtown portrait, but the elevated perspective gives a fresh look to the background and brings a slight sense of danger to both pictures.
Marilyn Monroe on the balcony of the Ambassador Hotel, New York City, 1955. Photograph by Ed Feingersh.
What always happens once you notice one balcony shot is that they start popping up all over. A random e-mail about an auction of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia led me to this picture. And then a quick search of the Magnum Photos website pulled up the two pictures below by Inge Morath - one of the most overlooked photographers.
Inge Morath. Saul Steinberg. 1962.
Inge Morath. Norman Mailer. 1966.
I didn't catch the credit and now can't find it, but last but not least, this from the Styles section of The New York Times. O.K - we've caught on to the trick!
View original post
