George Hurrell 40s style photography

[Atomic Age]

I just discovered this place and WOW, great idea!

I'm a photographer and one of my heroes is George Hurrell. Hurrell is one of the most famous Hollywood portrait photographers from the Golden Age. I recently tried doing some portraits in that style and thought folks here might appreciate them and give their opinions.

Hope I posted these in the right place.

Thanks
Doug

 

[Atterbury Dodd]

Hello Doug,

Interesting photos, that first one has an element of mystery to it. What kind of camera did you use?

Welcome to the Lounge!

Atterbury

 

[Atomic Age]

Atterbury,

Thanks for the welcome.

These were shot with a Canon Rebel XTI digital SLR, and a fixed focal length 50mm lens. They were actually shot in color, and I used a Photoshop plugin called Virtual Photographer to render it in black and white and add just a bit of film grain. I also added a bit of a soft focus filter in Photoshop.

Doug

 

[Miss 1929]

Beautiful work!

If she had a hairdo, it would be very convincing!

i was lucky enough to have my portrait done by Mark Viera in 1989 - Mark owned the cameras, lenses and lights from Hurrell's MGM portrait studio (until someone stole them). He also put out a beautiful book of Hurrell's work.

It was quite a thrill to know that the same camera captured some of the greatest stars!

And the pictures came out swell. I will scan and post one.

I especially like the lighting on the second one, on her hands...

 

[Atomic Age]

Thank you for your comments. Thats amazing that he had Hurrell's actual equipment. I'd love to see your portraits.

These photos were more of a lighting test and to see if I could get the tone of the b&w correct with a digital camera more than anything else. Part of it is also a test for a short film noir I'm hoping to make. If I do the film correctly, people shouldn't know that it wasn't made in 1953, the year in which it takes place.

If I do more photos like this I'll probably hire a makeup and hair artist.

Doug

 

[Ray925]

Dishy Doll

It's a bit different shooting this style and quite enjoyable. It takes a tad longer as setting up the lights,getting the pose just right, and capturing the moment with a vintage look has a much different feeling than any flash photography. I use a couple of Bardwell and McAllister lights from the 50's and one Bantum supershot that I believe is from the 40's or 30's....anyway..enough rambling..here's a shot for you! Model is wearing a Vintage 40's dress

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[Atomic Age]

Here are a few more recent shots...

 

[BinkieBaumont]

"David Bowie had a photo shoot with George in 1975 the result was this album cover I think David loved it because he tried to recreate it some years later

"I have a 1982 edition of "Tatler" that has a series of shots by G.H of stars of the time such as Brooke Shields"

 

[Atterbury Dodd]

Doug, I never would have guessed those photos you posted today were not from the 40's. Especially the first two. Amazing!

 

[WineGuy]

Hurrell

Very nice work Doug, you should check out the work of Roger James in LA, he's the best I've found so far...but you look like you can give him a run for the money soon! http://www.rogerganiajames.com/intropage.html

I'm also a fan of Hurrell, I just recently snagged his Hollywood Portraits book, by Viera, in a used book shop for $70...it's been going on ebay and Amazon for close to $300. Are you familiar with it?

 

[23SkidooWithYou]

Here are a few more recent shots...

My jaw is on the floor! Simply amazing! I thought you were going to say these were shots from the original artist. I really love the first portrait. Was your model wise enough to request payment in prints rather than money??? Keep doing what you're doing. Your work is incredible!

 

[BinkieBaumont]

http://www.rogerganiajames.com/intropage.html

"This Chap pays attention to every detail the clothes, makeup and accessories are "Spot on" Wow! "I'm ready for my Close-up Mr James"

 

[Chas]

I have several George Hurrell prints. They cost me a freakin' fortune but I'm glad to have them. I have a couple of Jean Harlow (one of the Bear rug portrait) and a Norma Shearer. Hurrell is my hero, photographically speaking. If I wasn't so crazy for the sax I'd be buying 1930's cameras and building a darkroom so I can recreate it. A genius.

Man Ray and Sinclair Bull are my other faves.

 

[Atomic Age]

My jaw is on the floor! Simply amazing! I thought you were going to say these were shots from the original artist. I really love the first portrait. Was your model wise enough to request payment in prints rather than money??? Keep doing what you're doing. Your work is incredible!

Thank you for the kind comments. The model is actually a friend who is also on this forum under the name Jitterbug Doll, and we shoot together quite often.

Doug

 

[Atomic Age]

Here are a few more. These are production stills from a movie I'm trying to get finished called Blackout.

 

[Atomic Age]

Very nice work Doug, you should check out the work of Roger James in LA, he's the best I've found so far...but you look like you can give him a run for the money soon! http://www.rogerganiajames.com/intropage.html

I'm also a fan of Hurrell, I just recently snagged his Hollywood Portraits book, by Viera, in a used book shop for $70...it's been going on ebay and Amazon for close to $300. Are you familiar with it?

Thanks for the link. There is also a guy in San Francisco who does amazing work. His name is Jim Ferreira.

http://www.lafterhall.com/filmnoir.html

Doug

 

[WineGuy]

I checked him out, nice work, but you are better. Roger James does great retouching and gets that perfect smooth skin look like in the original glamour shots of Hurrell. Ferriera has great composition and good wardrobe but still is too natural looking and appears to do no retouching.

 

[Dixon Cannon]

Nice work AA!

-dixon cannon

 

[Atterbury Dodd]

Whoa! You don't need any extras do you? that looks great.

Had to ask because it is puzzling me, what kind of gun is that in the picture?

 

[Miss Dizzy Dame]

nice photos!! I've seen those shots on Jitterbugs blog,so pretty,she fits the part well!!! I am into photography as well and love to experiment with shadows that give that noir look,its alot of fun!

ps we all can't forget.
www.gordonayresphotographer.com