Edward Curtis Lighting Techniques-Lighting Tent??

[Thom Bennett]

Just heard about this book: http://www.npr.org/books/titles/1622...ographs-of-edw

Looks like an interesting read. Maybe some of his technique is mentioned.

[Thom Bennett]

More on the new book: http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/1...obal&seid=auto

[Drew Wiley]

I don't know the exact answer, but he was well funded and did travel with a lot of paraphenalia, including his infamous habit of dressing his Indian subjects in non-authentic
garb which he kept on hand. Late in life he worked in Hollywood, and probably had some
of those lighting skills all along. Other than the subject matter, the technique is analogous.

[Drew Bedo]

Didn't Irving Penn use something similar in the Mideast when he photographed nomads? In any event it would have to be a custom job - a pretty fun but expensive project.

Seems like I have seen camping tents with a mesh panel in the top . . .rainfly over that. Maybe i DON'T REMEMBER IT RIGHT.

I have seen ads in astronomy magazines for a rent-like telescope shelter where the top zips open to stick out a big telescope . . .might also work.

[mandoman7]

In his day, and in a town with money such as Seattle was at that time, a portrait photographer could make a bundle. If memory serves, I believe he used quite a few thousands of his own portrait money for the early printings.

[Bill_1856]

Ummm...PIZZA! Smack, smack!

[Darin Boville]

I read the book--great book. Completely changed my understanding of Curtis. This is a sort of "must read" book, especially for the posters above who think Curtis was a rich man, well-funded, etc. Much more complicated, and sad.

--Darin

[ross]

I read the book--great book. Completely changed my understanding of Curtis. This is a sort of "must read" book, especially for the posters above who think Curtis was a rich man, well-funded, etc. Much more complicated, and sad.

--Darin

I just finished the book as well. Great read. And I agree; a sad story about a driven man.

[mandoman7]

I stand corrected and am interested in the book. In the meantime, what Is the story?

[Darin Boville]

I stand corrected and am interested in the book. In the meantime, what Is the story?

Basically Curtis made documenting the Indians before the faded away his life's work (obsession). He went to great lengths to get access, dressed them in traditional clothes not to be cutesy but because he was trying to document the recent past in the cases where the Indians had already adopted western clothes, etc. In other cases he didn't have to do so much. Couldn't get enough money for the project, eventually ended up with JP Morgan funding most of it. Curtis doesn't get rich.

I'm leaving out important aspects on purpose. Read the book! Very well written.

--Darin