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Page 1: Eva Arnold by Fiona Ormiston

07/02/2012 Majorca Magazine | Art, Leisure & Culture | Eve Arnold Artist

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��Majorca Magazine �

Eve Arnold 1912-2012On 4 January we saw the passing of one of the worlds great female photographer's - EveArnold. You could say she had a good run only months away from her 100th birthday.

Born in Philidelphia,daughter of Russian Jews fleeing the war. Eve was in the middle of 9siblings, her father was a rabbi and mother busy with them all. She initially wanted tobecome a doctor until an ex boyfriend gave her a rolleicord camera and her fascination

began. She took a 6 week course in photography and was given her first photo project inHarlem. She photographed fashion shows in the ghetto and followed Malcolm X and theBlack Power movement.

At first, there wasn't too much interest in her subject matter and it wasn't until her husband

at the time sent some of her prints off to 'Picture Post' in London did people start to takenotice.

Shortly after being published, she was asked to join Magnum (world renowned

photography agency) and became the first female photographer. Her career took off from

there as a photo journalist.

Her subjects were many and she had a penchant for going behind the scenes and capturingmoments such as Marlene Dietrich with no make up and her legs up in the air. An old Joan

Crawford nude. To going behind the veil inside Arabian Hammans and Harems inAfgahnistan.

"If your careful with people and if you respect their privacy, they will offer

part of themselves that you can use".

Her first 'big job' on a movie set was 'The Misfits'. Marilyn Monroe hadseen her Marlene D's photo's and loved what she had done. "Look whatyou did for her, imagine what you can do for me!!"

Being a woman Eve had an advantage with the female star's, she made them

feel like she could do them no wrong, when it came to selling themselves.She had a knack of allowing them their personal space and feelingcomfortable enough for her to take a photo. Marilyn had the right ideaasking Eve to come along and get some photo's at the Waldorf, in New

York while she was on suspension from 'The Misfits'.

She asked Eve to take some photo's while she was getting interviewed.

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Page 2: Eva Arnold by Fiona Ormiston

07/02/2012 Majorca Magazine | Art, Leisure & Culture | Eve Arnold Artist

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She asked Eve to take some photo's while she was getting interviewed.When the journalist arrived, Marilyn answered the door in a black negligeeand invited her in. While she fumbled for her pen and paper, Marilyn asked

if she would mind if she brushed her hair? "No of course not" was thejournalist's reply. Marilyn then proceeded to brush her pubic hair. Theinterview only lasted five minutes. Eve and Marilyn's relationship lasted 10years, until Marilyn's death.

She befriended many of her subject's and was highly regarded in her field.

Her photographs had a naturlistic form as opposed to the stiffness of astudio shot you often see.

A self professed workaholic and a genuis behind the lens. Everyone was equal to her and it showed. She was awarded an O.B.E. in2003, and in 2010 a life time achievment for her work from Sony World Photography.

Sadly missed but never forgotten. In the Golden Age of black and white photography, she was the last one standing until last week. For a

blue light coffee table recommendation, I would recommend, Marilyn Monroe, an appreciation .

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