Let me start off this blog with a brief introduction of Herman Leonard, our photographer of the day. Herman Leonard was a renowned American jazz photographer who was born in 1923.
Here is also a little spiel about the subject. Frank Sinatra was a famous jazz singer who lived from 1915-1998. He is also known for his “rat pack” a group of entertainers that were known in the fifties and sixties.
I think that’s enough context for the image itself.
I really find this piece to be absolutely remarkable. Not only does this piece have great contrast, it stands out to me as something that defined his era. You can see the microphone shining in front of his chest, and the cigarette smoking loosely from his hand. There seems to be a lot of spirit in the way he is posed as well, that shows us, the viewer, his passion for the jazz industry.
I find that the lighting thrust upon him on the edges of his silhouette (though maybe accidental) is also a great addition to this photo. The lighting gives him an air of divinity, as if he is playing the role of a jazz god.
Finally, the thing I really do like about the photo is just the size of his silhouette compared to the background. He is centered, and a fair amount of him is seen, so that a lot of room is left for the background, which to me, just oddly works.
