Annie Leibovitz

By Emily Harcourt

Quotes from Annie LeibovitzQuotes from Annie Leibovitz

Nature is so powerful, so strong. Capturing its essence is not easy, your work becomes a dance with light and the weather. It takes you to a place within yourself.

The camera makes you forget you're there. It's not like you are hiding but you forget, you are just looking so much.

In a portrait, you have room to have a point of view. The image may not be literally what's going on, but it's representative.

Brief explanationBrief explanation

Annie Leibovitz was born on October 2nd in 1949. She is an American portrait photographer.

Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, on October 2, 1949, Leibovitz is the third of six children.

When Leibovitz returned to the United States in 1970, she started her career as staff photographer, working for the just launched ’Rolling

Stone’ magazine.

In 1978 Leibovitz became the first woman to photograph Joan Armatrading for an album. She did the photography for Armatrading's

fifth studio album To the Limit, spending four days at her house capturing the images.

Leibovitz photographed The Rolling Stones in San Francisco in 1971 and 1972, and served as the concert-tour photographer for Rolling Stones

Tour of the Americas '75. Her favourite photo from the tour was a photo of Mick Jagger in an elevator.

Catherine Elise BlanchetCatherine Elise Blanchet

Factual: This photo is of Catherine Blanchet was taken in 2004 by Annie Leibovitz.

Context: This is a photo of Catherine Blanchet riding on a bike. Even though this photo is in

black and white you can still se everything very clearly and has sharp detail.

Technique: I think that this photo looks like it was taken in an old air field because of the plane in the background. There is a main focus of the photo, but the background has a few objects in it too. Catherine is looking straight ahead laughing which makes

us think that she is laughing at the camera.

Aesthetics: I really like this photo because even thought the photo is dark, Catherine still makes it look happy and gives it life. Catherine is looking towards the camera, so

maybe Annie wanted us to think more into the photo like why is she smiling? The lighting in this photo is shining onto her so that the reflection of her and her bike are

shadowing behind her.

PhelpsFactual: Phelps gliding thought the water in

2007.

Context: Phelps is gliding through the water with all the lights shining on him. He is in the

spot light.

Technique: You can see in the corner that Annie is taking the photo of Phelps. She is point the

camera straight towards him showing that he is the main aspect of the picture.

Aesthetics: I like how we can see Annie in the corner of this photo. It shows us that she is really taking into consideration on what angle she should be stood at. I like how all the light is on him and he is the centre of attention. This photo has a lot of colour in it, which makes Phelps face glow more. Because we cant see where he is heading, it makes us

think were about he wants to go.

Image of Brad PittImage of Brad Pitt

Factual: This photo was taken on the 15th October 2008 shot by Annie.

Context: This photo is taken of Brad Pitt laying on a bed. Annie's photos are normally

quite bright but this one however Brad is wearing darker coloured clothing.

Technique: I think that this photo looks like it was taken in a little flat. Brads clothing is kind of blending in with the bedding to make the colours fit together more.

Aesthetics: In this photo I really like how the main focus is on Brad, he is the main aspect of the photo. I like how Annie has made the colours quite dull and not bright

she has made Brads clothing blend in with the bedding and walls around him. It seems as if the camera is facing down towards Brad making him look like he is

looking towards the light thinking about life.

Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens

Factual: This photo is of Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron. It’s a recreated scene from the famous

Disney movie ‘sleeping beauty’

Context: Vanessa is laying on a bench while Zac is laying beside her kissing her on the cheek. This

photo was taking to add to her Disney themed pictures.

Technique: I think that this photo was taken outside. They are probably laying on a bench or the pavement with flowers all around them. I think that this photo was

taken from birds eye view.

Aesthetics: I really like this photo because it makes us think that they are actually in love. The lighting in the corner of the photo shines through onto their faces to make the photo look lighter and more colourful. The flowers around them make the photo

look beautiful and as the flowers are the same colour as her dress they blend in nicely.

Drew Barrymore Factual: This photo is of Drew Barrymore

and a lion.

Context: Drew Barrymore is leaning on a lion looking very relaxed. This photo was also taking to add to her Disney themed

pictures.

Technique: I think that this photo was taken in a studio with a back drop behind her. I think that this photo was taken outside. Drew is looking away from us so that

makes us think about what she is thinking about.

Aesthetics: I really like this photo because Drew looks like she is in a really magical place. With the flowers and trees in the background and the lion beside her she looks like she relaxing with nature and enjoying her own company. Her dress

blends in with the background well because the bright colour breaks up the dull trees behind her.

Anne HathawayFactual: This photo is of Anne Hathaway from the Les

Miserable's Promo for Vogue Cover.

Context: In this photo Anne is sitting down with a red cover covering her body

Technique: I think that this photo was taken in a studio. Anne is sitting down and there is a plain background behind her. She is looking straight at the camera so it

looks like she is looking in our eyes.

Aesthetics: I really like this photo because everything in it is plain and simple. The red cover around Anne, brings

colour to the picture making it look brighter than it actually is. She is the main focus of the photo and all our attention

is on her.

How has the artist influenced you?

This artist has influenced me a lot because Annie's photos have shown me what Focal

point, composition, Depth of field and lighting is all about. Annie's photos have shown me how I can take better photos and what effects I should

put on them.

With photos I now know when I should use flash and what angle I should take the photo at. By

looking at her photos it has really helped me to understand how to use a camera properly and

how to look at important aspects of it.