Jack Costelloe, photo by Kate Costelloe

HOMAGE TO IRVING PENN
June 16, 1917 – October 7, 2009

My name is Kate Costelloe and I’m a new editor at Koloist, working with Ugo. I’ve been a photographer for six years. One of the photographers I admire most, Irving Penn, passed away last Wednesday, October 7th and I thought I would pay my respects here.

I shot this photo of my father, Jack Costelloe, Irving Penn-style. Although the hat is ragged and the glasses crooked, as Penn would say, the most important part of the photo is that it shows the subject’s character and personality. Penn believed that photography is about “capturing the essence of the subject, everything else can be altered.”

Irving Penn, a legend in the world of photography, influenced so many artists and still continues to do so today, with fourteen published books in the field. He revolutionized the art of photography in many ways, including introducing the plain background still used in fashion photography today. Penn’s simplistic, yet striking photographs helped him build a strong relationship with Vogue Magazine that lasted throughout his career.

He was famous for making all his photographs reveal something unknown about his subjects. He would photograph his models for hours on end so that they would tire and be forced to act like their true selves.

Until Penn’s death, he continued working tirelessly because of his passion for photography. He is an inspiration to all photographers, amateur and professional alike.

To see some of Irving Penn’s work go here.

- Kate