Photographer: Chris Von
Wangenheim
By Liam Casey
Biography
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Chris von Wangenheim (born February 21, 1942) was a German fashion
photographer. Born in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland) moved to New
York in 1965, where her worked as a photographers assistant until 1967. His
first public appearance was in 1968 for the American edition of the fashion
magazine, Haper’s Bizaar. By 1972 he had done work for several names in the
fashion business including: Esquire, Playboy, Interview and Viva, though
American Vogue was his main outlet. He’s also known for his advertising of
several fashion names, such as Christian Dior, Calvin Klein, and Revlon. He has
also taken several controversial photos of then famous fashion model, Gia
Carangi. Many of these photos portrayed nudity, and homosexuality. His photo
style is nothing that really stands out much. They’re mainly black and white,
and used to show off some form of fashion or clothing brand. Such is the way
of a fashion photographer I suppose. Sadly in March of 1981, at the age of 39
while at the peak of his success, Chris von Wangenheim lost his life in a car
crash. His death affected many and even caused his favorite model Gia Carangi
to start using heroin (again). His photos are the legacy of a truly talented
photographer.
Fashion photograph for Italian
Vogue1976
gray scale.
The subject would be the woman. Now
this is interesting because of the fashion
sense alone. She’s got ballerina like
tights, but the rest of the outfit
definitely doesn’t resemble that. Her
mask also makes her seem mysterious
and devious.
► The lighting looks artificial, and is
coming from the upper right hand
corner
► The composition is well assorted. The
majority of the background is fairly dark,
but all her white clothing stands against
it in dominance.
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Photograph-now.com
Tattoo1975
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Gelatin silver print
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The subject would be the tattoo artist,
and the girl. I’m not quite sure what this
photo is trying to communicate, though
the picture almost seems violent. I
mean really, that is not hoe people
normally get tattooed.
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The lighting is artificial, and coming
in a little from the top.
There’s not really much to say
about the composition. Though the
paleness of her skin, and the way
his leather jacket reflects the light.
They add something to the photo,
I’m just not sure what it is.
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Vmagazine.com
Fetching is Your Dior 1976
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Christian Dior ad with Lisa Taylor.
Color print.
The main focus is definitely on the
canine. It adds glam and fashion
with a sense of illegitimacy.
The lighting would appear
artificial.
Very few of his photos appear in
color, so I believe it really adds to
the photo.
vmagazine.com
Men Dancing on Beach1975
Gray scale
► The subject would obviously be the
men. This photo fuses senses of
grace with humor, and also makes a
small stance on homosexuality.
► The lighting is natural, and coming
in from the left.
► Considering that this was probably a
magazine add of some sort, the
composition and shading are just
right.
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Vmagazine.com
Christian Dior ad for sunglasses1976
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Gelatin Silver Print
The sunglasses are the focus
point of the photo. They make
her seem mysterious, and draw
your attention.
The lighting looks artificial, and is
focused straight forward.
The way the shading is helps at a
striking sense of mystery, and
maliciousness.
vmagazine.com
Untitled1978
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I don’t really know/couldn’t find much
on this photo, I just added it since I
already had a sufficient number of
photos, and I thought it displayed his
talent well.
The subject would be the girl. She
looks like someone that would’ve
emerged from the 1970’s punk scene.
She wears heavy eyeliner, dark
clothing, and smokes, oblivious to
whatever society may think of her.
The lighting is natural, and looks to be
coming from behind her.
The composition adds to her
expression. It appears to be a bright,
sunny day. A happy one. But her coat
and expression contradict this. She
definitely does not look happy.
Fun facts.
► The
only real “fact” I gathered from this
project, is that it is almost impossible to
gather little (if any) information on Chris
von Wangenheim, or his photos. Which is a
pity, he was a terrific photographer.