EP - Explore Editorial Photographers (Lesson)
Explore Editorial Photographers
Exploring the work of other artists is a great way to learn. While we never want to outright copy the style of another artist, it’s natural to adopt influences as you grow as an artist. Maybe you’re drawn to Irving Penn’s bold, graphic style with subjects posed against simple, plain backdrops. Or Arnold Newman’s style of “environmental portraits.” Or maybe the humor captured by Elliott Erwitt speaks to your own sense of humor.
Spend some time exploring each of the photographers below. Some are considered masters that shaped the world of photography when it was still a new artistic medium. Others are contemporary working artists. Each has something different to offer.
Irving Penn
Irving Penn was a well known American photographer. He is known for creating sophisticated fashion photographs and analytical portraits. His subjects were often convinced to sit for hours until he felt their personality was revealed. In 1950–1951, he created a series of portraits of laborers in New York, Paris, and London, posed in their work clothes and holding the tools of their trades.
Arnold Newman
Arnold Newman specialized in “environmental portraits.” He photographed well-known people posed in settings that were associated with their work. Some might call this an editorial portrait. It had a huge influence on portrait photography in the 20th century.
Elliott Erwitt
Elliott Erwitt was known for his ability to capture the humor and irony of everyday life. Scroll through the images of his work below.
Scott Witter
Scott Witter is a contemporary advertising and editorial photographer. His work is known for sharp composition, graphic lines, and a cinematic mood.
Mark Peterman
Mark Peterman is a contemporary advertising and editorial photographer focusing on stylized portraiture for advertising and editorial magazines.
Lindsay Adler
Lindsay Adler is a contemporary photographer known for clean, bold, and graphic style.
Additional Contemporary Editorial Photographers
Scroll through the presentation below to see additional contemporary editorial photographers and their work.
Which photographers did you find most inspiring?
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