Buzz
Perhaps, this could be the 'sound-emitting' photo, where you see it and you hear the music before every Columbia Pictures movie.
Article by photographer, teacher Phil Mistry on Petapixel
Even if you're not a movie buff, you'll recognize that the 'Lady with the Lamp' photo has become a legend for Columbia Pictures. It was captured in 1991 by Kathy Anderson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, at her apartment in New Orleans.
The final version is a painted picture with more effects, but few know that the original photo used as a model was taken in a small apartment, with very simple props.
The story behind the legendary photo
The narrative of this photo commences when Kathy Anderson's companion, Michael J. Deas, a talented designer, was brainstorming ideas for a stamp collection for the United States Postal Service. Anderson recollects: 'Michael already had some ideas for the photos. To illuminate the model, I used a Dynalite flash and a Chimera diffuser to create soft light.'
At that time, Anderson was employed at a newspaper named The Times-Picayune in New Orleans. She required a model for the photoshoot and enlisted a colleague at the newsroom, Jenny Joseph.
On the day of the shoot, Michael J. Deas brought a box of croissants from his favorite French bakery, along with photo props including a bedspread, a piece of blue fabric, and a small lamp with a bulb protruding from the top - used as a stand-in for the torch in the final picture.
Anderson further elaborates on the shooting process: 'After relocating the dining room table to transform the room into a 'studio,' we hung up a gray fabric to serve as the backdrop and placed a few boxes underneath for support. I inserted some Polaroid film into the Hasselblad to take test shots.'
During the era of non-digital cameras, photographers often utilized Polaroids for test shots before employing actual film. After reviewing the Polaroids, the white bedsheet was adjusted to fit Joseph - who wouldn't model for another photoshoot after this one.
'Jenny was wrapped in a white bedsheet, with a piece of blue fabric draped across. These elements were meticulously arranged, and the light was used to accentuate the folds and Jenny's eyes.'
During the photoshoot, Jenny asked for a few minutes to rest. I also took a photo of her sitting, and this is the one I liked the most throughout the shooting process. While chatting during the shoot, I found out that she was pregnant. After congratulating her, we continued shooting.
The 'Lady with the Lamp' becomes an iconic image
At that time, Anderson had taken many model photos for designer Deas over the years, but the 'Lady with the Lamp' photoshoot remained her favorite.
Comparing the painted picture used by Columbia Pictures and the model photo taken by Anderson shows that the designer paid attention to even the smallest details. We can see how the positioning of the fingers is almost identical, the blue fabric is slightly lower than the girl's shoulder, and the bedsheet is draped down to the ground in the same manner.
Anderson further shares: 'Even if the 'Lady with the Lamp' didn't become famous, it would still be the photo I cherish the most. Every time I look at it, I remember a fun photo shoot with good friends and a perfect box of croissants.'
Anderson's successful photography career
Kathy Anderson embarked on her photography career in college, quickly developing a passion for the craft. She considers herself fortunate to have been born during the heyday of print photography, leading to a 28-year career at The Times-Picayune. In 2006, her photo capturing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina earned her the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.
Another famous photo by Anderson depicts Avery Alexander - a New Orleans state representative being apprehended by police, gripping his neck in 1993 while protesting racial discrimination. In 2016, 23 years later, this photo was printed on banners during the Black Lives Matter march demanding justice for people of color.
Anderson hopes viewers will experience emotions when viewing her photos, whether joy (as with the 'Lady with the Lamp') or sorrow (the Katrina photo). 'If I can evoke emotions in the audience, then I've succeeded in photography,' she says.
