Arnold Newman was generally known as the pioneer of environmental portrait, while also being known for his still life and abstract photography. He is considered as one of the most influential photographers in the 20th century. Newman’s environmental approach to portraiture was greatly influenced by impressionism and symbolism, which attracts the viewer no matter how well we know what the focus is.

Arnold Newman became well know for his distinctive approach to portraiture, where he would capture the person/ subject in their job or their natural surroundings. He didn’t ask the person to pose in a studio or in a particular way, instead he took a more realistic approach which told an insightful story of their life. Newman wanted to create depth and composition in his portraits, so he had equipment set up in a particular way, possible poses, and a floor plan ideas as he really wanted to show the relation between the person and their natural surroundings. This engages the viewer, showing a story and connection.

The photo makes me really interested because I can see into his studio where he does his work. I think having the photo in black and white makes you look closer into the background filled with his paintings, as from a distance all you can see if unique shapes filled with tones and shades that blend together creating this chaotic, but engaging scene to look at. I think having him sat in an informal position at the bottom right, with not much facial expression, makes him blend in almost with his studio behind, creating this feeling that Newman didn’t just want to make the portrait purely of Picasso. Instead he wanted to engage the viewer from a different perspective, which I think is what makes the environmental portrait of him more engaging, because it makes us wonder what he is doing, creating lots of focal points for the viewer.

The photo looks like it is captured in the natural light, that brightens up various parts of the portrait which I think makes it more effective because it shows it, in that moment. This emphasizes parts creating soft and intricate textures in his studio, leading your eye closer into the photo.

Newman has captured Marilyn Monroe and Carl Sandburg sat in his flat. The piece is know for the composition where they are sat glancing at one another, engaging with the camera from a different perspective. Also, the photo captures Monroe’s more glamorous, and public persona, whereas Sandburg is more serious, and is sat more naturally. Newman may have decided to do this to show the contrast between their personalities, which is expressed in a clear way to the viewer. I like how the photo is taken close up which creates an abstract portrait, leading your eye straight to the subjects. As the viewer, I think we engage more with the photo from a side angle, as it makes you look closer because we want to find out their expressions. The lighter areas are around the face which makes you focus on that area more, noticing subtle, soft tones which enhances these areas more, creating a short but engaging depth.