Comments on: Breaking: Irving Penn Dies

By: Terry Thomas Photos

Terry Thomas Photos — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:12:47 +0000

His photographs will live on to inspire future generations of photographers.

Nicely written obit.

Terry Thomas…
the photographer
Atlanta, Georgia USA
http://TerryThomasPhotos.com

By: Lise Varrette

Lise Varrette — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:12:11 +0000

When I first discovered Irving Penn back in my New England School of Photography days, I felt I had discovered a great treasure . Irving Penn’s work has meant so much to so many people. His work is beautiful and was my true inspiration on becoming a photographer, thanks Irving.

By: Wendy Yellin Hill

Wendy Yellin Hill — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:46:58 +0000

I worked for Mr. Penn for several years as a photograph and negative retoucher in the 80’s. He was the kindest man, soft spoken, intelligent, always the epitome of a gentleman, a genius with light. He always put his subjects at ease. These were the days of Vanity Fair covers. His wife Lisa used to bake chocolate chip cookies for us. Working there was a gift – I never saw it as work but as a priviliege. RIP Mr. Penn. Your genius will never be duplicated.

By: shahnyboy

shahnyboy — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 06:51:23 +0000

I hear he kept shooting till the very end…

Is there a way to see his more recent work?
It’s awfully difficult to find!

By: cellardoor

cellardoor — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 06:42:14 +0000

If there was a better photographer I never saw him. A great loss for the human race. RIP Irving. Thank you.

By: Ed Hamlin

Ed Hamlin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:40:00 +0000

Irving Penn was a tallented artist in many ways, to set an iconic standard for fashion as did Ansel Adams for Landscapes and black and white photography. It is a los that will be felt for years to come. May God bless his family may they have peace in this time.

By: th

th — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:27:50 +0000

RIP. I was in his studio one time, what I remembered was a Deardorf 8×10, barrel lens, no shutter (black card to hold in front of the lens), old Speedo pack and a softbox. That was it. From the viewpoint of a still-life photographer, he was the man.

By: Bill Kauffman

Bill Kauffman — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:14:57 +0000

Thank you Irving.

By: anthony luke

anthony luke — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:32:51 +0000

The master has left us.

http://anthonylukephotography.blogspot.com/2009/10/death-of-master-irving-penn-dies-at-age.html

By: Greg Foster

Greg Foster — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:27:45 +0000

Irving Penn was the living counterpoint to all the noise and clutter in modern photography in recent years.

What an incredible career, what an incredible life, he was the embodiment of classic.

By: Christopher Bush

Christopher Bush — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:25:23 +0000

A tremendously sad loss, although 92 is definitely something I hope I can match (I type, as I swig on a glass of booze).

It does make me think, though, how young fashion photography really is as a genre.

By: Frank Gross

Frank Gross — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:13:47 +0000

May his soul rest in peace.
He inspired an entire generation and was certianly my hero and guide.
Frank

By: scott Rex Ely

scott Rex Ely — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:00:45 +0000

Richard Burton

By: scott Rex Ely

scott Rex Ely — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:49:08 +0000

From the Smiths,
There is a light and it never goes out……..

By: Cameron Davidson

Cameron Davidson — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:17 +0000

The classic. Unequalled and a huge inspiration. I remember devouring articles I read about him when I was a teenager.

The best!

By: Christy

Christy — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:23:32 +0000

I guess I was hoping he was an immortal demi-god. Rest in peace Irving Penn. Thank you for all you have given us.

By: tim

tim — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:58:06 +0000

@tim,
sorry it was Douglas Kirkland, brain cramp there.

By: tim

tim — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:53:47 +0000

@Ken,
yes that would be Dennis Manarchy.

By: Kram Namloc

Kram Namloc — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:17:11 +0000

Seeing this qote regarding the camera; “I recognize it for the instrument it is, part Stradivarius, part scalpel.” Irving Penn, made me think maybe he *never* shot digitally. Anyone know?

By: Ken

Ken — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:32:14 +0000

I remember hearing a story…though it could be urban legend…about a new assistant of his, eager to please, cleaned all his studio windows from years of a built up patina of grime that provided him with a beautiful diffusion of light. He wasn’t pleased.

He did light beautifully, but his images were always about the subject. A tremendous inspiration.

RIP

By: Brooks Ayola

Brooks Ayola — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:14:40 +0000

A sad day, indeed.

By: Pat

Pat — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:54:27 +0000

Irving Penn’s photographs, style and legacy will never get old.
Dibs on the cold head enlarger.

By: Brian Smith

Brian Smith — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:51:03 +0000

Irving Penn was an amazing and inspirational photographer whose work never ceased to inspire. A true artist right up to the end. If you’re anywhere near LA between now and January, don’t miss his “Small Trades” exhibit at The Getty of 252 of his prints from the series. It’s fantastic to see the body of work as Penn wished to have it presented.

By: arlene johnson

arlene johnson — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:43:44 +0000

He was my favorite all-time photographer. Brilliant talent!
Arlene

By: Debra Frieden

Debra Frieden — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:30:38 +0000

An incredible loss.

By: Sara McCoy

Sara McCoy — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:26:56 +0000

OMG this is so very sad! Although he lived a long and amazing life he will still be missed tremendously :(

By: Kwaku Kufuor

Kwaku Kufuor — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:25:31 +0000

Very very sad news and a great loss to the photography world. He was one of the main reasons I love black and white photography.
Rest in peace Irving.

By: Charles Kay, Jr.

Charles Kay, Jr. — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:25:26 +0000

I met Mr. Penn on my birthday several years ago when I first visited NYC. Years later I returned to have him sign a rare book for my wife. He was sitting there reading a book on the life of Pablo Picasso. He will always be a source of inspiration in my work. Mr. Penn may you rest in peace.

By: Kenneth Rimm

Kenneth Rimm — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:21:27 +0000

Sad news-He has been a great inspiration-his book Passage is still a favorite in my collection.

Kenneth Rimm

Copenhagen Denmark

By: A Photo Editor

A Photo Editor — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:14:04 +0000

@rda.photo,
NYTimes just confirmed.