Iconic Images (In my opinion)

Bruce McBroom: Farrah Fawcett

"McBroom, a photographer, snapped the image that made Farrah Fawcett an icon. He tells TIME how an innocuous photo shoot — in which Fawcett posed at her Hollywood home in a red swimsuit — resulted in the 1976 poster that wound up plastered on millions of bedroom walls."






Personal Response: This is an iconic image and is used in a lot of movies, TV shows and really I just see it for some reason all over. The first time I was exposed to this was from a TV show called “that 70’s show”; It was literally in every scene. I used to love the image because that is exactly how I wanted my hair.

Photographic Response:  in response to this image in terms of technique and the look of the image I really like the lighting used. It is really bright and the models face looks fresh and natural due to this. Composition is also what I like; the model takes up the full frame and the shape of her body really curves round the image getting her whole body in the frame. The use of colour also helps to brighten the image, its really fun and cheeky.

Annie Leibovitz: John and Yoko

"There was so much in that simple picture of a kiss. So, for the photo I wanted to take, I imagined them somehow together. And it wasn't a stretch to imagine them with their clothes off, because they did it all the time. But what happened at the last minute was that Yoko didn't want to take her clothes off. So, we went ahead with the picture, and it was this very striking picture of Yoko clothed against a naked John. And of course, John was murdered later that afternoon. It's actually an excellent example of how circumstances change a picture. Suddenly, that photograph has a story. You're looking at it and thinking it's their last kiss, or they're saying goodbye. You can make up all sorts of things about it. I think it's amazing when there's a lot of levels to a photograph."

Personal Response: I am a huge fan of John Lennon and I truly think that he is a great icon. What I like about this image is it shows the love that they had for one another, I also think it holds significance because it was just before he died.

Photographic Response: what is interesting about this image is the positioning of the models. I don’t know if this is stereotypical or even sexist for that matter, but I would normally expect the man to be as Yoko is and Yoko to be hugging John. Also the shape of his body is so interesting, I just find the whole image intriguing and just a bit strange (in a good way)

Robert Mapplethorpe: Patti Smith

"Mapplethorpe has described his collaborations with Smith “like taking drugs; you’re in an abstract place and it’s perfect"







Personal Response: you say Patti Smith; this is what I imagine! It’s so strong, and really iconic as an image on its own without you even having to know whom the subject is. She really isn’t your idiotic singer with any views on anything, she’s strong and opinionated and I think that this androgynous image depicts that.

Photographic Response: simplistic background teamed with what looks to be natural lighting really gives the image a soft touch, that however it is still striking and a strong image. The styling really  makes the image, it is what creates the strong nature of the image along side the intense stare of Patti