Jump! Jump!

This is one of my all-time favourite photography books/projects (thanks to Delicious Industries for posting the shots up). I absolutely love the personality, joy and life in these shots, and how such a simple idea works so well.

The photographer, Philippe Halsman, was commissioned to take many portraits of the rich, famous and influential during the 1950s. At the end of each shoot, when the serious job was done, he would ask his subject to jump. Fabulous stuff.

The series is being exhibited for the first time, at the Lawrence Miller Gallery in New York (runs until 28th May).

"Marilyn Monroe, Brigitte Bardot, Salvador Dali, Weegee, Jack Dempsey and even the Duke and Duchess of Windsor agreed to take a leap of faith.  In that era of live television along with the popularity of the big glossy magazines, one’s image was not nearly as protected and shaped by handlers as it is today.  There was a feeling of innocence, a desire for spontaneity, and Halsman, with his playful and charming personality, knew he had to get almost everyone to oblige his demand:  JUMP!"