Irving Penn biography

**jonreid** · 21-Jul-2012, 06:07

Can anyone recommend a good biography of Irving Penn?

Jon

**jonreid** · 31-Jul-2012, 03:26

Bump. Nothing?

**Bill_1856** · 31-Jul-2012, 05:53

Visually, "PASSAGES" is the book to have. I don't know of a written bio. Extraordinary photog, he was!

**Brian Ellis** · 31-Jul-2012, 06:09

No biographies exist that I know of but he did write his autobiography titled "Irving Penn: A Career in Photography."

**Frank Petronio** · 31-Jul-2012, 06:15

It would be a great book, Penn was awesome and from what I can tell, he led a full and interesting life, was a good father, good man to work for, etc.

An art director I worked with called him up and asked him to do a quick little $500 shoot for her once and he accepted since it was last minute/spur of the moment so she got to work with him for an hour or two and was thrilled. I'm not one for idol worship but it had to be worth it.

**Mark Sampson** · 31-Jul-2012, 08:08

You'll find some interesting reading (along with the fine photographs) in his book 'Small Trades'.

**mandoman7** · 31-Jul-2012, 08:15

I have Passages and it really is one of my favorites to go back and review periodically. He could be exotic and fashionable I guess, but for me the stuff that really works are the commonplace subject matter that gets interesting when given his treatment, like the cigarette butts or the frozen dinners. I especially like the portraits of tradespeople and tribesman. Unassuming classic portraits that bear his stamp nonetheless.

**jonreid** · 5-Aug-2012, 03:43

Thanks everyone. Brian, is the autobiography any good?

Jon

**Brian Ellis** · 5-Aug-2012, 05:36

Originally Posted by jonreid

Thanks everyone. Brian, is the autobiography any good?

Jon

Hi Jon - Sorry but I don't know, I haven't read it, I just know of its existence. You could search it on Amazon and see if there are any reader reviews or Google and perhaps find some more professional reviews.