Richard Avedon - In The American West: Photo Icons Explained

At 55 fashion photographer, Richard Avedon was at the height of his career, shooting the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and Richard Nixon. After suffering from a life-threatening heart inflammation he began to grapple with his own mortality. It was the feelings and emotions of those days that instilled a desire in him to work on a project away from the glitter and glamour of the fashion industry. It was this raw and provoking portrait series focusing mostly on the working class people throughout the western U.S, that would become his most important body of work.
Buy the book: ‘In the American West’: amzn.to/3XrtEmh
Avedon at Work: In the American West: amzn.to/3VP4qgk
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The copyright of all images and videos used in this video belongs to their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended. The content is used under the exemption of Fair Dealings for the purpose of criticism, review and education.
Copyright Credits:
All of Richard Avedon's work - The Richard |Avedon Foundation
Ansel |Adams - AAPRT
BTS Avedon at work - Laura Wilson
Kodak commercial - Kodak
Large Format Camera video - Oliver Prout ( / olitography )
Avedon video footage - American Masters: Richard Avedon Darkness And Light / Helen Whitney
The Searchers trailer - C.V. Whitney Pictures
Avedon exhibition - Eric Minh Swenson. EMS Legacy Films ( / skunkkilo )
Avedon Pirelli Calendar - The Associated Press
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[@anagarci889]

Excellent work. It's lucky that someone makes these kinds of mini-documentaries so that the rest of us can enjoy them. Thanks a lot. A cordial greeting.

[@ErwinSerle]

You are doing amazing insightful things in 15 minutes !

[@photoiconsexplained]

I really appreciate it! Thank you so much!

[@jimgordon6629]

I was there for the first exhibit and it’s return to Fort Worth about 20 years later. About as gut wrenching an exhibit as could be imagined. By the way, it wouldn’t have hurt to say that the Amon Carter Museum is in Fort Worth, a city of approximately a million people which continually suffers from its proximity to Dallas.

[@photoiconsexplained]

Noted, Jim. Thanks for pointing it out. :)

[@andrewsmithphoto]

I have seen many of these photos but was not aware of the back ground. That is one thing I love about a good photo project, the story behind the images is often more impressive than the finished body of work.

[@photoiconsexplained]

Absolutely, couldn't agree more. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@willvanderwalt1160]

A profound experience, seeing this documentary. Well done. You enrich me; you enrich the world.

[@johnyoung1606]

ThankYou for Your Hard Work !!!!!! I have enjoyed both of Your Exhibits !!!!!!!! I hope that You Continue this (so far labor of love) :) :) :)

[@photoiconsexplained]

Hi John, thank you so much for your kind words! I'm happy to know the work that went into making them is appreciated! More to come, for sure! :) Thanks for watching :)

[@katjamiorini2955]

So well made ... I learned a lot - thank you so much 🙏

[@photoiconsexplained]

It’s my pleasure! :) so glad you learnt something!

[@natesawyer76]

Great video. Really went into a lot of interesting details about the artist and his methods

[@writerman242]

Absolutely riveting Thank you. I've just started reading a biography of Avedon and this video gives me some extra perspective on stuff I've read Excellent 👏👏

[@Dylanking10]

Wow, my left ear really enjoyed listening to this

[@robertbutts8866]

Thank you..!! Great artist

[@queuerious]

thanks for sharing this

[@photoiconsexplained]

My pleasure

[@richardsimms251]

Terrific video. Thank you. RS. Canada

[@photoiconsexplained]

Thank you so much for the kind feedback! It’s appreciated

[@larrygillham4864]

Fantastic

[@CraigSmithviking]

Amazing work. Gripping and informative films. Quite honestly some of the best films I've seen on KZbin on photography. Looking forward to more. Thank you.

[@photoiconsexplained]

Thanks so much, Craig! It's a huge compliment and motivation to do more videos! A lot of research goes into them, so I'm glad to hear they're received well! Your words are appreciated!

[@ImperiousImages]

I’ve been familiar with this body of work for many years, but there was a lot of information presented here that I was unaware of. In particular where did the fact that 121 frames of the bee keeper come from? Was this in Laura Wilson’s book?

[@photoiconsexplained]

Yes, that’s right. Most of the information in this video came from Laura Wilson’s book - including the number of frames used for the bee keeper.

[@someblokecalleddave1]

Very commendable, I too am a teacher and I teach level 3 BTEC students and a couple of the units that we do involve the use of a 10 x 8 camera and I get them to research Avedon, normally directing them to the ASX website. But this is superb and as far as I can make out researched really well and adds loads to my own knowledge. Thank you very much!

[@photoiconsexplained]

Thank you so much, really appreciate the nice feedback. Great that your students get to use the 8x10! The research of the video is mostly based on the book his assistant wrote. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@someblokecalleddave1]

@@photoiconsexplained The Laura Wilson book? I need to get hold of a copy myself. I'll have a look around now!

[@photoiconsexplained]

@@someblokecalleddave1 yes, exactly! That's the one. Super interesting book with so much insight into Avedon's working methods.

[@yamatokawa]

The negatives destroyed 💀

[@photoiconsexplained]

I know, crazy, right?!

[@AtlantaTerry]

I enjoyed this video. But for future reference, at 4:09, the name of the camera he used should be pronounced "deer dorf" and the film he used should be pronounced "try x". Thank you. Terry Thomas large format film photographer Atlanta, Georgia USA

[@photoiconsexplained]

noted. Thanks for pointing it out

[@heinz_fiction]

Fell asleep after 2 minutes...

[@david_r_munson]

At 4:19 the picture of the Deardorff 8x10 was my camera. As in literally my camera that I restored in 1999. That’s my photo of my camera, as well. If you’re going to borrow pictures from the internet, please at least try to credit the source.

[@3forte]

For the sake of art itself, please narrate with some emotion and passion for this amazing subject. This mindless droning is akin to robot teaching accounting from a text book.