A portraiture genius.
The Michelangelo of the twenty first century.
It's no surprise that Annie Leibovitz is pure magic. She is a master of photography, a master of fine art, and a master at capturing the portrait of a person in still imaging.
She has shot almost every celebrity, magazine, movie... you name it.
Maybe I'm bias, but not only is Angelina Jolie one of my personal favorite actresses and models, but this photo is by far one of my favorite.
Stunning. Simple. Elegant. Beautiful.
This image strikes me mostly because of her use of lighting. It is a high key tonal image mostly involving tones of beige and grey. Although fairly neutral and bright, the shadow's created enhance the image. The curve and highlights of the skin, and the creases of the dress in particular are amplified by the bright lights. Because Annie was a painting major in university before entering into photography, she was able to master the art of lighting in an almost renaissance way. This photograph translates into fine art easily by her use of chiaroscuro. The composition is a combination of two contrasting triangles made by Angelina's body and the chaise she rests on; the two peaks being her head and the high point of the chair. This contrast creates a linear balance in the composition that is pleasing and relaxing to the eye.
Annie managed to capture the precise moment of rest in the body which is very typical of ancient greek and roman art and sculpture. Yet in a still frame she enhances a sense of fluid motion and a softness frozen in time that captures the essence of the individual in a frame. She translates this ancient form into a photograph in a very modern way.
Annie lives her life through the lens of her camera, and captures the moments her eye sees. Life happens before her and she simply records it in a very creative and moving way.
To this day she continues to push boundaries and creative limits; creating images that will install a lasting impression on the world.
