George Hurrell, a classically trained painter, applied fine art techniques to his compositions as a photographer. Beginning his career in 1930, Hurrell worked as a portrait photographer for major Hollywood studios, initially with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
During the Great Depression, the movie industry flourished, and Hurrell's photographs provided a much-needed escape for many people. His work went beyond simply promoting films or celebrities, as it evoked a sense of glamour, romance, and drama.
Hurrell is credited with establishing the standard for the idealized Hollywood glamour portrait. He was an innovator who invented the boom light and developed various lighting techniques that are now widely used.
Hurrell's signature style, characterized by precision lighting, spotlights, shadows, and hand-retouching on negatives, produced romantic portraits that became synonymous with glamour. His work defined the concept of glamour for the movie industry and remains a benchmark for photographers to this day.
Despite his significant contributions to the industry, Hurrell's impact is often overlooked. He was a native Kentuckian born in 1904 and passed away in 1992. However, his legacy as the creator of the Hollywood glamour portrait is undeniable, and his work continues to influence photographers and filmmakers to this day.
