Herb Ritts is one of the most inspirational photographers of the 80’s and 90’s next to Annie Liebovitz Patrick Ecclesine and David Lachapelle
From Chris Isaac’s video for Foolish Game to the Calvin Klein ads, even if you’re not into photography you have seen his work in countless ads, music videos and album covers.
He’s photographed everyone from fashion models , to actors, athletes, political figures and musicians. A self taught photographer, who had never taken a photography class, and had a sense of natural light, he attributed his success to having a passion for people, and an eye for photography.
His career began in 1979 when he took some photographs of a friend/aspiring young actor by the name of Richard Gear.The photos was picked up by Vouge and Esquire. Due to the response from the pictorial Mademoiselle Magazine called and asked him to shoot a few pictures of Brook Sheilds for a small editorial. He decided to take the job, with no professional photography experience, and the pictures turned a 4 page spread, Launching his career.
His style and lighting is very unique, and nearly impossible to duplicate. The only known photographers who truly had similart skills in lighting I believe are Annie Leibovitz, David Lachapelle and Patrick Ecclesine He was drawn to clean lines, and strong forms. And mostly shot in Black and White.
Throughout his 18 yr career he has gone on to direct music videos, commercials, and published 6 books. He Worked for Interview Magazine, Vouge Magazine, Victoria’s Secret. Elle, Rolling Stone, Time. Vouge Allure, Glamour, GQ, Newsweek, and Harper’s Bazaar.
At one time was rumored to have made $30,000 a day
On December 26, 2002, Ritts died of complications from pneumonia at the age of 50.
