One of the skills that I’m working on this year is learning to take better photographs. I got a new camera as a gift last year, and I’ve been trying to learn things about composition, lighting, and sometimes just how the damn camera works.
Since I’ve taken on this challenge, I’ve had the opportunity to visit museums and galleries to get a good look at photographs by some wonderful artists. It’s been a chance to see some great photos, as well as to learn a little bit about the art of photography.
One of the photographers whose work I have always enjoyed is Annie Leibovitz. Some of you may be familiar with her name, others with her work — she was Rolling Stone’s chief photographer starting in 1973, went to Vanity Fair in 1983 (she did the pregnant Demi Moore cover), and has also done work for Vogue. She’s also done some impressive ad campaign, including ones for American Express, Gap, and the Milk Board. You may not who she is, but chances are you’ve seen her work.
The San Diego Museum of Art **presents an exhibit of about 200 of her photographs in **Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer’s Life, 1990-2005, on display February 10th