Research Task: Helmut Newton
Research Task: Helmut Newton
Research Task
After looking at different photographers work in depth I decided that I was highly inspired by Helmut
Newton, Baron Wolman and Ansel Adams. I particularly liked their work for a number of different
reasons.
Helmut Newton
Helmut Newton was originally known for his creation in fashion photography, however he later
became more famously known for his portraits of nude women. Compared to a lot of other well
known photographers his life to begin with was relatively difficult. He was born in Berlin, Germany in
1920. After struggling with his family in Germany around the middle 1900s they decided to leave. On
route to China, Helmut Newton decided to work in Singapore for a portrait photography company. It
was his first job in the photography field. During the Second World War he moved to Australia and
set himself up as one of the most well known fashion photographers. He then decided to move to
the United States and started working for the photographers of a popular magazine, Playboy. He
then quickly became very popular and his photographs even went for as much as $25,000 a piece
just a year before his death. He died in 2004 and since that his photographs have climbed in value.
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Baron Wolman
Baron Wolman is best known for his photography throughout the rock and roll years. He has become
famous from photographing people like Jimmy Hendrix and other recognisable musical artists. He
started photography through taking pictures around the house which eventually turned into a
hobby. It all started for him when a close friend of his was setting up a new magazine named rolling
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stones, he asked Baron Wolman to take the photographs for him. This was the start of his
professional career. Baron Wolman still comments on how different the industry is now to what it
was back then. He says that models were willing for you to photograph their real self and were open
to suggestions. As always he had a free reign with them. He kept up relationships with models he
had photographed and they even considered them to be his friend. In today’s world musicians try to
distance themselves from being photographed, this could be hugely down to the bad reputation the
paparazzi have given photographers. He then decided to go to flight school and become a pilot. He
spent many years taking aerial shots from his own personal plane which he eventually published in a
book. He still continues to photograph and even became interested in nude photography. He is
passionate about his work which separates him from other photographers.
Ansel Adams
Ansel Adams is mainly known for his work throughout Yosemite National Park. He is also well known
for his scientific accomplishments in the field of photography. Ansel Adams was born into an upper
class family unlike the other photographers I have looked at. He was born in the state of California.
He is also known for his crooked nose which he got as a result of the San Francisco earthquake. From
a small age Ansel always showed a keen interest in nature. Both he and his father shared a passion
for the landscape and wildlife around Yosemite. They would always admire the beautiful scenery
together. This is likely to be what lead him to his passion of photography. He came into the industry
from an early age. The industry at the time liked to see photographs which resembled paintings,
however he seemed to shape the industry as his own photographs grew in popularity. His photos
are hugely recognisable and are always used with a high resolution to produce extremely clear
photographs. Ansel Adams still remains as one of the pioneers in the industry. He seems to
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understand how to adjust and set what the proper exposure should be. He also adjusts the contrast
of the final print to produce beautiful pictures.
Experimental process
Editing
From experience editing you photos can make them what they are. Some photos do not look good
until edited. This is because you can add a number of features as well as changing the shape and
colour. The below lists shows a number of differences you can make to your photos.
I always make sure I edit my photos, as I believe it can add that extra something special which makes
your photos different to other photographers.
Tilting
Tilting is a cinematographic technique in which the camera is stationary and rotates in a vertical
plane. A rotation in a horizontal plane is known as panning. Tilting the camera results in a motion
similar to someone nodding their head. I have not as yet used tilting. This is because it is mainly used
for videoing. I also feel I have not needed it. This is because the type of pictures which I am choosing
to take I am not needed it for, however there are some types of images which the tilting feature
would be useful for.