Paul Outerbridge Jr.

Place: New York

Born: 1896

Death: 1958

Biography:

Paul Outerbridge Jr. was a renowned American photographer known for pioneering the carbon-transfer printing process in color photography. Born in 1896, he was one of the most imaginative and influential American photographers of his day. His work included still lives, fashion photography, advertising, and provocative female nudes.

Early Life and Career

Outerbridge was born in New York City and raised by his mother and father, who did not allow him to attend school until he was eleven. After graduating from the Cutler School, Outerbridge did not pursue a university education, but instead took classes in life drawing and anatomy at the Art Students’ League in New York. Determined to pursue an artistic profession despite discouragement from his father, Outerbridge began to do some freelance illustration work, such as designing a cover for Judge magazine and various posters for Wintergarden Review.

Still-life Photography

In the summer of 1921, Outerbridge began to quickly produce photographs of everyday objects, such as a bowl of eggs, milk bottles, or light bulbs. His earliest success is attributed to two still life pieces entitled Milk Bottle and Eggs and Ide Collar, both photographed in 1922. The photographs were featured as full pages in the Vanity Fair Magazine. French painter and sculptor Marcel Duchamp saw Ide Collar and was immediately impressed by its abstract qualities and its similarity to the "readymade" object. Outerbridge's still-life photography lies in his strategic manipulation and design of shadows and light; the artist used these as kinetic elements in his photographs, more than just byproducts of the objects themselves. He preferred to use artificial lighting in his studio in order to more carefully control the photographic outcome. You can learn more about his techniques and see his artwork at https://Wikioo.org/@@/D5CR9H-Paul-Outerbridge-Jr-Hotel-lobby-Mazatlan.

Commercial Photography and Legacy

In 1925, Outerbridge and his wife left New York and sailed to Europe, spending five weeks in London before moving on to Paris. In Paris, he became well acquainted with American visual artist Man Ray, and the two remained frequent companions. It was Man Ray who introduced Outerbridge to Marcel Duchamp. In May 1929, Outerbridge was hired by Paris Vogue as a photographer of fashion accessories, where he primarily designed layouts for the magazine. You can see more of his work and learn about his legacy at https://Wikioo.org/@/Paul-Outerbridge-Jr- and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Outerbridge.

• Still-life photography: Outerbridge's unique approach to still-life photography involved manipulating light, shadow, planes, and shapes to produce a simultaneous tension and balance in his works.
• Carbon-transfer printing process: Outerbridge was a pioneer in the carbon-transfer printing process in color photography, which allowed for the creation of high-quality color photographs.
• Influence: Outerbridge's work has influenced many other photographers and artists, including Man Ray and Marcel Duchamp.

Outerbridge's legacy can be seen in his work and the impact he had on the world of photography. His innovative techniques and unique approach to still-life photography have made him one of the most imaginative and influential American photographers of his day. You can learn more about his life and work at https://Wikioo.org/Art.nsf/Buy-Photo-To-Print and https://Wikioo.org/Art.nsf/Buy-Photo-To-Painting.