Berenice Abbott Born in Springfield, Ohio on July 17,1898. Died in Monson, Maine on December 9, 1991.

Portraits/people Abbott went to Paris to follow a career of sculpting, but it failed. In need of work, she agreed to be a dark room assistant for her friend, Man Ray. Though she had no real interest in photography, she began taking portraits of her friends during lunch breaks and discovered her talent for it. She began selling the photos she took and her work began becoming popular.

New York Scope In Man Ray’s studio, Abbott was introduced to the photography of Eugene Atget, and greatly inspired, she became consumed by his work. As a recognized photographer, she took his portrait shortly before he died. She soon decided to return to America and noticed how much New York had changed. She wanted to photograph “Old New York” from every aspect, likely influenced by Atget’s photography of Old Paris. She went on a road trip photographing rural America while waiting for funds for the new York project.

Contributions to the World of Photography After expending the funds for her New York project she concluded that aspect of her photographic career. She then wrote “A Guide to Better Photography” in which she provided technical expertise as well as ideologies in essays entitled Straight Photography and Documentary Photography. She invented and patented several photographic related equipment and gadgets. She also developed her own specially designed lighting process, which she called projection photography.

Science  Abbott was hired by science illustrated and her photos set a new standard for science photographs that continues today. Her photos were featured in multiple science textbooks. Abbott was also one of the founding members of House of Photography. At the end of her career she settled in Maine and made her final project, a book, A Portrait of Maine.

Reflection I chose Berenice Abbott because she produced incredible photos of several different subjects throughout her life and was one of the biggest influences in the history of photography. She created amazing photos of ordinary people and things that you see everyday, and made them unique. Her photos have always been popular and loved. Her work showed the world to everyone and she left her mark on the world forever.

The medium she used  Gelatin silver print

Favorite photos Nightview, New York Jacob Heymann Butcher shop, 345 Sixth Avenue, Manhattan Bowery Bum, New York, c.

Favorite photos Columbus Circle, New York

Originals Cocteau’s Hands Hand

Recreations