The Photographs of Rodney Smith 1970-2016

His photographs are familiar by now: silhouettes and skylines, a man in a hat, elegant women in elegant gardens. Rodney Smith, in the tradition of Richard Avedon and Irving Penn, bridges the gap between commercial photography and art. In doing so, he speaks to both the world we live in and the world the artist craves. But, despite his place in American culture, the man behind the photographs has remained, in many ways, unknown. Rodney Smith resolves that mystery with a selection of pictures spanning four decades, organized chronologically, accompanied by personal reflections drawn from his illustrious career. Taken as a whole, it reveals that the photographer’s signature style is no accident. Rather, it is the product of his unusual background, his unique perspective, and his many years of self-analysis. As fans are introduced to the voice behind the images, they will finally see that Rodney Smith’s photographs are also pictures of their creator.
Rodney Smith has been making pictures for nearly half a century. He found his calling while an undergraduate at the University of Virginia, but he did his graduate work at Yale in theology and art-training that he parlayed into a fellowship in Jerusalem, where he took the photos that would become his first book, In the Land of Light. After his return to the United States, he broke into the world of portrait photography, making his mark as a sought-after fashion photographer and artist. Throughout it all, he has retained his signature aesthetic and his sense of humor. His personality is of another era, his style is timeless, and he only shoots film. Smith’s other books include The End, The Book of Books and The Hat Book. He lives in Palisades, New York, with his wife.
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[@itsr7studio]

I am grateful to B&H for posting the podcast episode on Rodney Smith as it led me here. What an extraordinary artist! Truly beautiful and stunning work. As an aspiring full time photographer that uses mirrorless and dislikes post production, it’s a relief to learn that a professional who worked into the digital era admit that he disliked post and focused on the actual shoot with a light kit. “It’s not the camera, it’s the eye” says it all.

[@davidbrommer]

I am very sorry to say that Mr. Smith passed away earlier this week. We at the B&H Event Space were honored to have him come speak and share his life's work with us, and that you too can share in his vision. Godspeed Rodney Smith!

[@cjoe6908]

R.I.P. Mr. Smith. Great classic pictures.

[@samanshp]

I don't know how I can call myself a photographer after seeing this sort of stuff. Just incredible.

[@jamesurzykowski4918]

When most people move on to the after life there is nothing to remember them by. Rodney Smith left his vision through his photographs. He will be remembered for as long as his pictures can be viewed. May your vision live forever!

[@gunnyamasmit4856]

Rest In Peace Mr.Smith, thank you for showing us your beautiful and unique works, they will always be timeless and never forgotten.

[@RetiOrchid58]

Enjoyable. We need more timeless classicism with a fresh, vital, positive aesthetic of beauty, elegance, grace, timeless style in modern photography and the arts.

[@BryanButton]

Oh. My. Gosh. I cannot believe I only am just now finding out that he spoke at B&H. This is amazing I cannot wait to watch the whole thing. Thank you B&H for sharing this!!!

[@BandH]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mauriziosolisbroca]

Thank you for giving the world your beautiful sense of art and perfection. Have a beautiful journey through your dreams. RIP Mr. Smith.

[@kmlgraph]

Smith makes some telling remarks early in the presentation about how "classicism" in the arts has been lost. Too many photographers today are hung up on pixels, high ISO, artificial lighting, and overusing lens perspectives (wide/telephoto), and most importantly, Photoshop to achieve an effect. Rodney Smith sums it up beautifully @ 42:10, "It's not the cameras, it's the eye". What a master.

[@danielthomas1051]

Over several years, I viewed numerous photography presentations. This was the most simple and evocative... The Art of photography.

[@zguy95135]

What an incredible talent, his work is just flawless. It's so hard to believe that some of these photos are so contemporary, they are so time less. I can only hope to be 1% of the photographer he was

[@andremarques4948]

It’s shocking this video has much less views and commentary than it deserves. When you see mediocre photo videos clicking millions of views… how did it take me 20 years to find this man?! That shot on the ladder… the straw bale… in the spur of the moment! It’s at a different level.

[@jean-marcfroehlinger8749]

Hi, same as you. I'm 64 old and discovered him and his work just two weeks ago. I bought the "Rodney Smith Photographs"" in seconds and received the book just two days ago. I can't encourage you more to buy this wonderful book. I have the chance to receive the real book with hard cover, even the size is just fine (big book). I'm part of a photo club and will present this man in a few weeks to the members, would be just crazy to ignore his work ! I'm now checking if buying a print can be on my budget ! Would be great to have a big print of "Bernadette in Red Hat with Book" on my wall ! Regards

[@elisat.3511]

Rodney is always amazing! I love the pic of the man reading on the tree. Thank you for this video

[@bensonjunior833]

his description of women during his time and how he associated that with how mysterious and elegant and graceful that they were compared to know when there's a constant gospel for women to thrive to be like men in almost every was the highlight for me. And to be able to capture that grace is just a gift rn.

[@igetsmart]

Rodney Smith was awesome so creative He managed to create photographs His photographs had simplicity but sophistication Very elegant He will be missed

[@shlomotaitz3373]

Bravo.... beautiful work! The story of your personal development and progression is fascinating..... Many, many thanks!

[@MikeJamesMedia]

This work is gorgeous! Rodney, your eye for composition, and print production is extraordinary. Really very, very special. Wow.

[@nkhn1]

I have put this as my fav video,,i have to watch it again and again coz i also believe natural light is a bliss...

[@danp8484]

Brilliant use of environmental framing, lines, and light to create unforgettable portraits and artistic images of people

[@alexandrabavcevic995]

Absolutely beautiful photographs. I didn't want the video to end. Thank you for showing us your amazing work.

[@jameskelly4196]

Simply lovely work. RIP Rodney

[@Batteristafoto]

What a master. Wow. When one thinks he has done something new...HAHAHA...this cat did it wayyyyyy before. What a career! Impossible to have a career like this now. Sadly

[@HarlequinJitsu]

Thank you for this. I'm a great admirer of his work so this is just wonderful to watch & hear the stories behind his images.

[@jimjimskimmer1935]

This guy I one of the BEST, like myself, I try to use natural light, and I do everything in camera ie, filters, lens hoods, etc etc.

[@billmeyer3784]

Wonderful look at an influential shooter and his career. thanks.

[@mhammer977]

Thanks B&H Wonderful to hear his story.

[@BajanAlan]

The butterfly catchers was my favourite

[@ArtDecoArtNouveau]

That was fantastic and I am so sad to now read 2016 is the year he died.

[@eduardocortes-dv4lo]

Muchas gracias Sr. Smith por brindar su talento al mundo.

[@pareshpandit]

Enchanting!!

[@alsimoncelli4535]

Just Brilliant!

[@mark314158]

Just a really good artist ...

[@thurthevintagelens]

what a loss to photographers, so much to teach.

[@mikemichaeld2259]

Wow amazing work I learnt a lot there thank you

[@johnupper5225]

I can't believe no one burst out laughing during any of those photos. Clever and uncluttered and absurd.

[@zwitscherelfe]

I enjoyed this a lot! thank you

[@CainEatsAbe]

rip to this great artist.

[@gonemadfar]

amazing artist. love the cab pic

[@DmateoVlogs83]

NICE VIDEO...

[@evgenygesin3982]

Superb!

[@YassefSelman]

Siempre será una gran inspiración, se fue un grande de la fotografía :(

[@jonhermannsson9231]

he was awesome so sad he passed away.

[@thurthevintagelens]

the 1971 pictures the painterly ones, do you recall camera and lenses used.

[@milesian1]

He used a Leica M4 for 35mm work. Don’t know about lens choice.

[@bcomhaire]

Genius!

[@lochvonsavoy2936]

The secret about doing successful fashion shoots is...work with models you don't like!

[@whitneygray425]

What a loss. What a talent!