Duane Michals: Portraits

Michals (ABCDuane) has had his eye behind the camera's lens for more than 50 years. A 2014 retrospective exhibition at Philadelphia's Carnegie Museum of Art (Storyteller) emphasized the magnitude and range of the photographer's career. Perhaps best known for his visual storytelling sequences, Michals also worked as a freelance photographer for culture and fashion magazines. Through assignments for these publications, he created intimate, carefully composed portraits of America's best-loved visual artists, performers, writers, and influencers, including Andy Warhol, Tilda Swinton, Buster Keaton, Maya Angelou, and even Donald Trump. This is his first book focused solely on portraits, interlaced with his reflections. Michals outlines four types of portraits: stand and stare, prose, annotated, and imaginary; the last three especially emphasize his use of photography as narrative. The black-and-white photos, including a few family and self-portraits, demonstrate his commitment to fine craftsmanship as well as his artistic sense of subtle humor.