About this Talk
Join us this Saturday for our first ever Focus Session & Virtual Gallery Opening! - Registration
Featuring Steven Smith, of Herman Leonard Photography [also Herman’s son-in-law] and Gallery 270’s Tom Gramegna. They’ll take us back through the 1940’s-1960’s, exploring the iconic musicians of Golden Age of Jazz as depicted in Herman’s atmospheric portraits of this uniquely American art form. You’ll hear the stories behind the photos, his genius at mixing available and artificial light and his lessons from the famous photographer, Yousuf Karsh, who shared lighting secrets that Herman was first to take the concert stage. In his own words, Herman praised Karsh as the “greatest influence in his whole life”.
While Herman is justifiably renowned for his iconic jazz photography, few know his virtuosity extended to studio, fashion, advertising, photojournalism, color travel, and more. Steve and Tom will also talk about the most important step in fully appreciating his genius: his supreme skill as a darkroom printer, leaving us the luminous prints that must be seen in person. No less a music giant than Quincy Jones summarized Herman’s impact: “. . . When people think of Jazz, their mental picture is likely one of Herman’s.”
Join us this Saturday Morning at 9:30 for a deep dive into the work of an American treasure! Your best preview of the show ahead of time or afterward is at Gallery 270 at Bergen County Camera Monday-Saturday 10AM-5PM or online anytime at Gallery270.com