If you are interested in photography, then you probably know just who Annie Leibovitz is. The famous photographer, who is known particularly for her portraits of celebrities, including John Lennon and Rihanna, turns 73 today. Happy birthday, Annie Leibovitz!
In honor of her birthday, we have listed down five things you probably did not about the famed photographer, particularly about the cameras she uses. We have included her first real camera, the camera she liked to use in the 80s, and what she used for Rihanna's Vogue cover.
Let's get started!
1. Her First Real Camera was a Minolta SRT101
According to Photogpedia, Annie Leibovitz purchased her first real camera while on a trip to Japan. Her father was stationed at the Clark Air Base in the Philippines at that time and her mother saw the opportunity to make the trip.
So what did today's birthday girl do with her brand new camera? Take it with her as she climbed up Mt. Fuji.
2. Her Favorite Camera in the 1980s was the Mamiya RZ67
The Mamiya RZ67 is a medium-format camera and Shutterbug even refers to it as her favorite analog camera. She favored this even well into the 90s and the first few years of the 2000s.
Annie Leibovitz transitioned to using digital cameras in 2003.
3. Her Favorite Field of View is the 35 mm
According to Photogpedia, Leibovitz's "lens of choice" is the 35 mm. She even goes to describe her choice as more environmental. "You can't come in closer with the 35 mm," Photogpedia quotes her to have said.
However, she tends to use the 55 mm for portraits.
4. She was the Last Photographer John Lennon Worked with Before He Was Murdered
December 8, 1980, is a date that lives in infamy particular among the fans of The Beatles as this was the day that John Lennon was shot and killed. Five hours before he died, Lennon and wife Yoko Ono worked with Annie Leibovitz on a shoot for Rolling Stones.
The iconic photograph, which made the cover of the magazine and shows a naked Lennon curled in a fetal position next to his wife, is actually a Polaroid photo. According to Leibovitz herself, John Lennon said "This is it. This is our relationship." when he saw the photo.
5. Annie Leibovitz Used a Fujifilm GFX 100S When She Photographed a Pregnant Rihanna for Vogue
Rihanna fans and anyone who pays attention to Hollywood, fashion, magazine covers, or all of the above would probably be able to recall that the singer graced the Vogue cover while heavily pregnant. And guess who was the photographer for the shoot? Of course, it's today's birthday girl!
According to an article by Digital Camera World, Leibovitz used a Fujifilm GFX 100S for the shoot. You can watch the behind-the-scenes footage below:
