Helmar Lerski (1871-1956), born in Alsace (a then German city of Strausburg). His family moved in 1888 to Zurich, SwitzerlandHe moved to New York in 1896 to become an actor. He worked at a couple theaters; the Irving Place Theater and the German Pabst theater. The theater is where he discovered the posibilities of lighting. He started doing photography (1910) after he meet his first wife who was also a photographer. He latered returned to Europe and worked as a cameraman for special effects for many films. In the 1920's is when he was noticed for his portraits. He mostly took portraits and utilized his expertise and skill in using mirrors. Many of the subjects he photographed were beggars, labourers and people found in welfare.
I love how he gets the light to pick up on every little line, scar and freckel. The shadows that are casted are amazing. Some of the photos almost don't look real or like a wax sculpture in a museum.
I had a professor in college who would give an assignment based on Lerski's work - You needed to make an expressive self-portrait that showed just your face. The secret was to get the light to work for you, like Lerski. Great find.
ReplyDelete