(Left) Inspired by Penn’s series between studio flats. (right) Inspired by Penn’s 1961 “Woman with Bare Back”

Last week I learned of the passing of one of the greatest photographers in the medium’s history. Irving Penn was more than visionary, he was a silent teacher who continues to show me the study of light, darkness, tonality, texture and composition.

Throughout my career his influences and inspiration can be seen in my work such as the above images. I think Mr. Penn’s photographs are timeless in a painterly way, beyond the normal limits of a photograph. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned from him is that your vision controls if a photograph is going to be successful or not, success of an image is not based on what’s available to you.

I rode 8 hours round trip on a bus to DC one day just to see his work on exhibit but nothing compares to few years back at a photo store in NYC I helped a stranger pick out a digital camera, the stranger happened to be Irving Penn’s Studio Manager. As a way to say thanks, she arranged for me to come by the studio to meet Mr. Penn and take a tour. Of course I wore a tweed suit and red lips, I was meeting my idol! We talked for a bit about the photography I dreamed to do and he sat back and looked at me and said, “but you’re so put together?” and I had to assure him I could get dirty too. When the elevator doors closed on my way back down to street level I began crying emotionally overwhelmed from having met someone I respect so greatly.

I will teach my kids about him, I will continue to look at my books by him throughout my career and I will always dream about the studio I’ll someday have with a skylight of light to illuminate it.

“A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it. It is, in a word, effective.” ~ Irving Penn