Today on Back to School - we’re taking a look at legendary photographer Irving Penn!
Penn was born in 1917 to a working class New Jersey family. After winning a scholarship and studying graphic design, Penn moved to New York City and began working for Harper’s Bazaar in their art department as a graphic designer. After moving to Vogue, and getting his first taste of photography, he was offered a full time position at the magazine. Penn instead opted to volunteer for the American Army instead, where he was sent overseas to work as an ambulance driver. During his time overseas, Penn began photographing his surroundings - soldiers, war and the destruction of the war effort.
These photos - while a far cry from his later more refined effort, show off his eye for composition and framing even with wildly different subject matter.
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