Norman Parkinson

Norman Parkinson was a renowned British photographer known for his work in fashion photography and portrait photography, having photographed famous subjects such as Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, and Vivien Leigh. His career spanned over five decades, during which he worked with prominent magazines like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. Parkinson's photographs have been featured in various exhibitions at institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, London. He was also a fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and worked with other notable photographers like Cecil Beaton and Irving Penn.

● Early Life and Education

Norman Parkinson was born in London and grew up in a family of photographers. He attended Westminster School and later studied at the Regent Street Polytechnic, where he developed his skills in photography. Parkinson's early work was influenced by photographers like Edward Steichen and Man Ray, and he began his career as a photographer's assistant at the Royal Photographic Society. He also worked with photographic studios in London, including the Vogue Studio, where he met and worked with photographers like George Hoyningen-Huene and Horst P. Horst.

● Career

Parkinson's career as a fashion photographer began in the 1930s, when he started working with Vogue and other prominent fashion magazines like Harper's Bazaar and Town & Country. He photographed famous models like Dorian Leigh, Suzy Parker, and Jean Shrimpton, and worked with designers like Cristobal Balenciaga, Hubert de Givenchy, and Pierre Balmain. Parkinson also photographed celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Audrey Hepburn, and his work was featured in exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art and the National Gallery of Art. He was a member of the American Society of Magazine Photographers and worked with other notable photographers like Richard Avedon and Helmut Newton.

● Photography Style and Technique

Parkinson's photography style was characterized by his use of natural light and outdoor locations, which set him apart from other fashion photographers of his time. He often photographed his subjects in parks, gardens, and other outdoor settings, and used reflectors and umbrellas to control the light. Parkinson's technique was also influenced by his use of medium format cameras like the Rolliflex and the Mamiya, which allowed him to capture high-quality images with great detail and texture. He worked with laboratories like Kodak and Ilford Photo to develop his film, and was known for his attention to detail and his ability to capture the essence of his subjects. Parkinson's style was also influenced by artists like Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, and he often incorporated surrealist and cubist elements into his photographs.

● Notable Works and Publications

Parkinson's work has been featured in numerous publications, including Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Life. He published several books of his photographs, including "Sisters Under the Skin", "Norman Parkinson: 50 Years of Portraits and Fashion", and "Parkinson: Photographs 1935-1990". Parkinson's photographs have also been featured in exhibitions at institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Tate Britain, and the Centre Pompidou. He worked with curators like John Szarkowski and Susan Sontag to organize his exhibitions, and his work has been collected by museums like the Museum of Modern Art and the National Gallery of Art. Parkinson's photographs have also been featured in films like "2001: A Space Odyssey", "Blow-Up", and "The Thomas Crown Affair".

● Awards and Legacy

Parkinson received numerous awards for his work, including the Royal Photographic Society's Progress Medal and the American Society of Magazine Photographers' Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to photography. Parkinson's legacy continues to inspire photographers like Annie Leibovitz, Mario Testino, and Patrick Demarchelier, and his work remains an important part of the history of fashion photography. He was a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and worked with other notable organizations like the British Fashion Council and the Fashion Group International.

● Personal Life

Parkinson was married to Wenda Parkinson, a model and photographer who often appeared in his photographs. He had three children and lived in London and New York City throughout his life. Parkinson was known for his wit and his sense of humor, and was a popular figure in the fashion and photography worlds. He was friends with celebrities like Noël Coward, Tennessee Williams, and Truman Capote, and often photographed them for magazines like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. Parkinson died in Singapore in 1990, but his legacy continues to be celebrated through his photographs and his contributions to the world of fashion photography. Category:Photographers