Annie Leibovitz

PHOTOGRAPHER #11.

Annie Leibovitz is represented by Contact Press Images


Scope Features
C204/22 Mountain St. Ultimo
Syndey, 2007, Australia
TEL +61-2-9211-7434
FAX +61-2-9211-7437
photos@scopefeatures.com.au

"The most brilliant thing about photography is that it’s a passport into any social situation whatsoever,” says Nick Knight. “It’s a ticket to photograph the President of the US, or a heroin addict in Camden, or a prostitute in Paris, or the biggest recording star in the world. Becoming a photographer is a way of finding out about people – finding out about life – and experiencing what they experience.”

Above most, I believe that Annie Leibovitz has used her photographers passport to it's greatest potential. She has documented some of the most important icons to date with accuracy while always reaching a profound level of humanity in her works. 

Leibovitz's eye for impeccable aesthetics is a remarkable gift. On surface value the images are always very appealing to look at- almost as if every detail has been painted by a baroque master of oil paint. However the emotion that she evokes out of her subjects is something that should not be overlooked.

An example of this would be the image taken of the Queen of the United Kingdom, Elizabeth II (see Image 1 below). The technical mastery of the piece is overwhelming however she captured something of the Queen that holds a certain weight to it. Her expression of concern (perhaps for her nations future?) and melancholy is rarely seen out of the mask of proper etiquette that is often worn. The silvery light that falls over the Queens fur and gown, is gorgeous and only helps to set the mood the piece.