WOMEN ARE BEAUTIFUL

Black and White 4x5 and 35mm portraiture

In the mid-80s I bought a 4x5 large format camera (one of those you have to drape a hood over yourself to take photographs). I have always admired the work of large format fashion photographers like Irving Penn and Richard Avedon and was determined to figure out how to shoot large format as a new explorative creative venture.

The beauty that sets women apart from we men is so stark and I have always been inspired to capture that difference on film. In the animal kingdom, it's the males that stand out as beautiful...that is far from true when it comes to the human race. The women have the looks hands down.

Laurie – First PortraitThis was my first 4x5 large format portrait.  Laurie was my muse.  I lit her with every light available in our apartment...strip flourescents, table lamps, some used lighting I bought at garage sales, etc.  I d… — Laurie – First Portrait
This was my first 4x5 large format portrait. Laurie was my muse. I lit her with every light available in our apartment...strip flourescents, table lamps, some used lighting I bought at garage sales, etc. I don't know how she kept up her patience. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to lighting and take my sweet time.
silver print © Jud Burgess 1987

Laurie (detail)© Jud Burgess 1987 — Laurie (detail)
© Jud Burgess 1987

Laurie with Button Dress and Hat4x5 silver print.  © Jud Burgess 1988 — Laurie with Button Dress and Hat
4x5 silver print. © Jud Burgess 1988

Laurie SeatedContact print off 4x5 Polaroid test negative..  © Jud Burgess  1988 — Laurie Seated
Contact print off 4x5 Polaroid test negative.. © Jud Burgess 1988

Teresa Wedding SeriesContact print off 4x5 Polaroid test negative..  © Jud Burgess  1989 — Teresa Wedding Series
Contact print off 4x5 Polaroid test negative.. © Jud Burgess 1989

Teresa Wedding Series4x5 silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1989 — Teresa Wedding Series
4x5 silver print. © Jud Burgess 1989

Teresa Wedding Series  (detail)4x5 silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1989 — Teresa Wedding Series (detail)
4x5 silver print. © Jud Burgess 1989

Teresa Wedding SeriesContact print off 4x5 negative.  © Jud Burgess  1989 — Teresa Wedding Series
Contact print off 4x5 negative. © Jud Burgess 1989

Angelica with Iron Flower4x5 silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1989 — Angelica with Iron Flower
4x5 silver print. © Jud Burgess 1989

Angelica with Iron Flower 24x5 silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1989 — Angelica with Iron Flower 2
4x5 silver print. © Jud Burgess 1989

Angelica with Iron Flower 2 (detail)4x5 silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1989 — Angelica with Iron Flower 2 (detail)
4x5 silver print. © Jud Burgess 1989

Angelica Hiding Behind Lace4x5 Polaroid test print.  © Jud Burgess  1989 — Angelica Hiding Behind Lace
4x5 Polaroid test print. © Jud Burgess 1989

Gillian on Fainting Couch4x5 silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1989 — Gillian on Fainting Couch
4x5 silver print. © Jud Burgess 1989

Cindy with Feather Hat4x5 silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1990 — Cindy with Feather Hat
4x5 silver print. © Jud Burgess 1990

Cindy with Feather Hat  (detail)4x5 silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1990 — Cindy with Feather Hat (detail)
4x5 silver print. © Jud Burgess 1990

Cindy with Feather Hat 24x5 silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1990 — Cindy with Feather Hat 2
4x5 silver print. © Jud Burgess 1990

Cindy with Feather Hat 2  (detail)4x5 silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1990 — Cindy with Feather Hat 2 (detail)
4x5 silver print. © Jud Burgess 1990

Jacque with Flowers in Her Hair35mm silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1987 — Jacque with Flowers in Her Hair
35mm silver print. © Jud Burgess 1987

Jacque with Flowers in Her Hair  (detail)35mm silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1987 — Jacque with Flowers in Her Hair (detail)
35mm silver print. © Jud Burgess 1987

Jacque Flying35mm silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1987 — Jacque Flying
35mm silver print. © Jud Burgess 1987

Jacque Flying  (detail)35mm silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1987 — Jacque Flying (detail)
35mm silver print. © Jud Burgess 1987

Jacque Flying  (strong detail)35mm silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1987 — Jacque Flying (strong detail)
35mm silver print. © Jud Burgess 1987

Laurie Somber4x5 silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1990 — Laurie Somber
4x5 silver print. © Jud Burgess 1990

Laurie in Apartment Boiler Room35mm silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1985 — Laurie in Apartment Boiler Room
35mm silver print. © Jud Burgess 1985

Laurie in Apartment Boiler Room 235mm silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1985 — Laurie in Apartment Boiler Room 2
35mm silver print. © Jud Burgess 1985

Angelica Seated4x5 silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1990 — Angelica Seated
4x5 silver print. © Jud Burgess 1990

Angelica Seated  (detail)4x5 silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1990 — Angelica Seated (detail)
4x5 silver print. © Jud Burgess 1990

Angelica Seated 24x5 silver print.  © Jud Burgess  1990 — Angelica Seated 2
4x5 silver print. © Jud Burgess 1990