Diane Arbus: The Photographer of the Marginalized

If you are a fan of honest and powerful photography, you have probably seen some of the stunning images created by Diane Arbus, one of the most influential and celebrated photographers of the 20th century. Arbus is known for her black-and-white portraits of people who are considered social deviants or outsiders, such as transgender people, nudists, dwarfs, circus performers, and people with disabilities. She also portrayed “normal” people in a manner that exposed the cracks in their public masks. In this blog post, we will explore her life, her work, and some of her most iconic and controversial images.

Who is Diane Arbus?

Diane Arbus was born Diane Nemerov in 1923 in New York City to a wealthy Jewish family who owned a department store. She grew up in a privileged environment, but felt alienated from her parents and society. She married Allan Arbus, a photographer, at the age of 18 and they worked together as commercial fashion photographers for magazines such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. They had two daughters, Doon and Amy, who later became a writer and a photographer respectively.

Arbus was dissatisfied with the superficiality of commercial photography and wanted to pursue her own artistic vision. She studied with Berenice Abbott and Lisette Model, who encouraged her to explore the subjects that fascinated her. She gave up commercial work in the mid-1950s and started to roam the streets of New York with her camera, documenting the people and scenes that caught her eye. She befriended many of her subjects and gained their trust and cooperation. She published her first photo-essay in Esquire magazine in 1960, contrasting the rich and the poor in New York City.

Arbus received two Guggenheim fellowships in 1963 and 1966 for her project “American Rites, Manners, and Customs“. She experimented with different formats and techniques, such as square format, flash lighting, and photogravure. She photographed a wide range of subjects, from celebrities and artists to people living on the fringes of society. She said: “I really believe there are things nobody would see if I didn’t photograph them.“

Arbus suffered from depression throughout her life and committed suicide in 1971 at the age of 48. A year after her death, she became the first American photographer to be included in the Venice Biennale. Her work was also exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in a major retrospective organized by John Szarkowski. Her photographs have been widely acclaimed and criticized for their honesty, empathy, and voyeurism. Her work has influenced many contemporary photographers, such as Nan Goldin, Cindy Sherman, and Martin Parr.

What is Arbus’s style of photography?

Arbus’s style of photography is characterized by her use of documentary or photojournalistic photography to represent real life subjects in their natural environments. However, she made the resulting works uniquely her own, as her personal journey was always embedded in the imagery she photographed. There is a multiplicity of the subject, for you can’t think of the image without thinking of the set of qualities that made the image possible; which is to say, it is difficult to imagine the photograph taking place without the thought of Arbus present.

Arbus preferred to photograph her subjects in their natural or chosen environment or in a studio that she transformed according to her vision. She believed that photography was an artistic expression that can transcend the limitations of language and logic. She also spent time researching and preparing for each session, learning about her subjects’ lives and interests.

Arbus’s photographs are often complex and expressive, with elaborate backgrounds or props that add layers of interpretation. She also paid attention to the gestures, expressions, and poses of her subjects, trying to convey their personality and character.

Some examples of Arbus’s photographs

Here are some examples of Arbus’s photographs that show her mastery of documentary photography:

Child with Toy Hand Grenade in Central Park (1962): This is one of Arbus’s most famous photographs from her series on children. It shows a boy holding a toy grenade in his right hand and making a grimace with his mouth. The image captures his rebellious and playful attitude.
Identical Twins (1966): This is one of Arbus’s most striking photographs from her series on twins. It shows two young girls dressed identically in dark dresses and headbands. The image creates a visual contrast between their physical resemblance and their subtle differences.
A Young Man in Curlers at Home (1966): This is one of Arbus’s most intimate photographs from her series on transgender people. It shows a man wearing curlers in his hair and applying makeup in front of a mirror. The image reveals his vulnerability and confidence as a person.
A Jewish Giant at Home with his Parents (1970): This is one of Arbus’s most controversial photographs from her series on people with physical anomalies. It shows a man who suffers from gigantism standing next to his parents in their living room. The image suggests his power and isolation as a person.

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Why is Arbus important for fine art portrait photography?

Arbus is important for fine art portrait photography because she showed how to create stunning and original images that reveal the beauty and complexity of human nature. She also showed how to use the camera as a tool of expression and exploration, without seeking fame or recognition. She influenced many fine art portrait photographers who came after her, such as Annie Leibovitz, David Bailey, and Cindy Sherman.

If you are interested in learning more about Arbus and her work, you can visit her official website, where you can see more of her photographs and read about her biography and projects. You can also check out some of the books and documentaries that feature her work.

We hope you enjoyed this blog post about Diane Arbus, the photographer of the marginalized. If you are looking for a fine art portrait photographer who can create stunning images for you or your loved ones, contact us today. We would love to hear from you and help you capture your personality and character in a beautiful and artistic way.

Wilson Santos

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