Annie Leibovitz

David Kanoa James

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

DVD response

Annie Leibovitz

            When I learn about success stories like this I become somewhat more motivated than I already am to become great at photography. Annie Leibovitz’ attention to detail and her gut is what got her to where she is today. She was the first woman on the scene to roll with the punches and be just one of the boys.

            She pushed people to take photos that they weren’t comfortable with. She was in control and confident and is still when she does her photo shoots. Demanding and firm she directs people gently into doing what she wants. Her visions keep getting bigger and so does her clientele. And when making over 100,000.00 dollars a shoot you know she has got to be doing something correctly.

            But the question arises; “Did she sell out?” to this I can say that the answer is a complete and absolute “No.” Annie Leibovitz never was considered an artist at what she does in the beginning of her career. She just followed where her camera took her. She documented as much as she created. In all reality she didn’t really start becoming more creative in her work until she changed from documentary photography to actual studio work.

            But it’s not her fine studio work and her big budget that gets the photos that she creates. It is her bold attitude and willingness to attempt things unheard of or over the top. This goes along with what I have always said about photography and what I try to remember every time I take a photo. “Its not the photographer with the sharpest lenses or the most expensive gear, it’s the photographer with the fastest finger and the biggest balls that succeeds at greatness.