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Quote by Philippe Halsman

“Of the thousands of people, celebrated and unknown, who have sat before my camera, I am often asked who was the most difficult subject, or the easiest, or which picture is my favorite. This last question is like asking a mother which child she likes the most”

Quote by Philippe Halsman

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Philippe Halsman
Philippe Halsman

Philippe Halsman was a renowned photographer known for his unique portrait photography style and his ability to capture the essence of celebrities. His work spanned over half a century, covering a wide range of subjects from political leaders to movie stars. Halsman's photographic techniques and his mastery of light and shadow made him one of the most important photographers of the 20th century. more

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“With a woman I try to photograph her beauty; with a man I try to show his character. Once I photographed a man with a big nose (Jimmy Durante), and emphasized his nose, and he was very pleased with the picture. That could not happen with a woman. The most intelligent woman will reject a portrait if it doesn't flatter her.”

IfsMenTryingLooksWholeCharacterShowsBigsHappensCareersImpossiblePleaseIntelligentPhotographNosesRejectsPortraitsBlondeHer BeautyIntelligent WomenBig Nose
Author:Philippe Halsman
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“In a jump, the subject, in a sudden burst of energy, overcomes gravity. He cannot simultaneously control his expressions, his facial and his limb muscles. The mask falls. The real self becomes visible. One only has to snap it with the camera.”

RealSelfFallEnergySubjectsExpressionOvercomingCamerasVisibleMusclesMaskGravityLimbsSnapsFacialReal Self
Book:The Mask Falls: Psychological Portraits by Philippe Halsman : a Retrospective Collection of Images from the Photographer's Studio, to be Sold by Public Auction, Friday, November 13, 1981, at 7:00 P.m. at Harris Auction Galleries
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“When the photographer Philippe Halsman said, 'Jump,' no one asked how high. People simply pushed off or leapt up to the extent that physical ability and personal decorum allowed. In that airborne instant Mr. Halsman clicked the shutter. He called his method jumpology. The idea of having people jump for the camera can seem like a gimmick, but it is telling that jumpology shares a few syllables with psychology. As Halsman, who died in 1979, said, 'When you ask a person to jump, his attention is mostly directed toward the act of jumping, and the mask falls, so that the real person appears.'”

PeoplePersonsSaidIdeasRealSeemsFallAsksAbilityAttentionPsychologyShareDiedCamerasMethodPhotographerInstantMaskJumpingSyllablesReal PersonGimmicksShuttersDecorumAirbornePhysical Ability
Author:Philippe Halsman
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“Most people stiffen with self-consciousness when they pose for a photograph. Lighting and fine camera equipment are useless if the photographer cannot make them drop the mask, at least for a moment, so he can capture on his film their real, undistorted personality and character.”

PeopleIfsRealSelfMomentsCharacterFilmConsciousnessFinePersonalityCamerasPhotographerPhotographUselessMaskCaptureEquipmentLightingSelf ConsciousnessPersonality And Character
Author:Philippe Halsman
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