1963

Portrait of Cyril Connolly, Writer

American, 1923 - 2004

Flash has become an indispensable tool in the portrait studio. Some photographers combine flash with natural light; others, like Richard Avedon, exclude natural light entirely to take complete control over how their subjects will appear. Under strobe lights, Avedon presents a world that is dramatic and exaggerated, an environment well suited to his sitters, various icons of the fashion world and other notable people. Here, Avedon’s lighting makes the writer Cyril Connolly appear almost sculptural; the rigid pose and stark white background contribute to this effect.