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Arnold Newman Edit Profile

Photographer

Arnold Newman was an American photographer, noted for his "environmental portraits" of artists and politicians.

Background

Arnold Newman was born on March 3, 1918, in New York, United States. He was the son of Isidore and Freda (Perell) Newman.

Education

In 1936, Arnold Newman studied painting and drawing at the University of Miami. Unable to afford to continue after two years, he moved to Philadelphia to work for a studio, making 49-cent portraits in 1938.

Career

Arnold Newman returned to Florida in 1942 to manage a portrait studio in West Palm Beach. Three years later, he opened his own business in Miami Beach. In 1946, he relocated to New York, opened Arnold Newman Studios, and worked as a freelance photographer for Fortune, Life, and Newsweek. Though never a member, Arnold Newman frequented the Photo League during the 1940s.

Works

All works

Views

Arnold Newman found his vision in the empathy he felt for artists and their work. Although he photographed many personalities he maintained that even if the subject is not known, or is already forgotten, the photograph itself must still excite and interest the viewer.

Quotations: "I didn't just want to take a photograph with some things in the background. The surroundings had to add to the composition and the understanding of the person. No matter who the subject was, it had to be an interesting photograph. Just to simply do a portrait of a famous person doesn't mean a thing."

Membership

  • American Society Magazine Photographers

Connections

Father:
Isidore Newman

Mother:
Freda (Perell) Newman

Spouse:
Augusta Rubenstein

Son:
David Saul Newman

Son:
Eric Allan Newman