During Hollywood's Golden Era, publicity photos had the same power to make or break stars as the films in which they appeared. The most sought after photographer of the time was George Hurrell, who perfected the "glamour" portrait. Here, 275 of his classic photos are brilliantly reproduced, using archival prints that preserve his dramatic lighting effects. And while the images are of familiar faces and figures, most of the photographs included have not been seen for more that 50 years.
Between 1925 and 1942, Hurrell photographed all the great Hollywood stars, from Jean Harlow and Norma Shearer to Robert Taylor, Clark Gable and Jane Russell. Perhaps his most notable collaboration was with Joan Crawford; a pair of "before and after" photographs of the actress reveals the extent of her debt to Hurrell's amazing retouching techniques.
The prints come from The Chapman Collection, one of the most extensive archives of Hurrell photographs in the world, and the fascinating text is by the highly acclaimed photographer MARK A. VIEIRA. Having known Hurrell well during his later years -- and having himself fully mastered the techniques of Hollywood glamour photography -- Vieira not only can share behind-the-scenes stories but, more importantly, can document how Hurrell achieved his remarkable effects.
George Edward Hurrell was a studio portrait photographer from 1930 to 1943. He was also the principal auteur of the "Hollywood glamour portrait."This is the first book on Hurrell to present a survey of his work using primarily vintage prints...this is also the first book to treat Hurrell's work in strict chronology, outlining five distinct periods of creative activity between 1925 and 1943. Each period described in it's own chapter, where its techniques are explained and its circumstances are detailed. The book uses fresh interviews, previously unseen archival material, and discoveries made in my own odyssey through the world of stills collecting.
Finally, this is the first Hurrell book to be written by a working photographer. I have devoted my professional life to emulating this artist and am now the only photographer in America making portraits in the classic Hollywood mode, using large-format camera, incandescent lighting, and full negtive retouching. I also work as an archival printer, making modern prints from 1930's nitrate negatives...it is from this professional background that I try to explain Hurrell's technique mastery and put his work in the context of both fine art and popular culture.
Here's a stunning sample...
