Greg Gorman Speedy

Born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1949, Greg attended the University of Kansas and majored in photojournalism. He completed his studies at the University of Southern California, graduating with a master of fine arts in cinematography in 1972. Although Gorman studied photojournalism in college, it was circumstance rather than a clear direction that took Mr. Gorman into photography as a profession. It all began with a series of images taken at rock concerts in the late '60s. Afterward, he made the rounds in Los Angeles until he got noticed. For over four decades, Gorman has continued to master the art of photography. From celebrity portraits and advertising campaigns to magazine layouts and fine artwork, Gorman has developed and showcased a discriminating and unique style in his profession. Gorman’s photography is timeless and not confined to has-beens, hot properties and wannabes. Each shot gives a picture of human nature in its infinite range. Each picture is also a testament to the individual character. “For me, a photograph is most successful when it doesn’t answer all the questions”, says Gorman, “but leaves something to the imagination”. In 1985, through the advice of illustrator Antonio Lopez, Gorman realized that he needed a creative outlet in addition to the commercial work that launched his career. He then began to expand his work exploring the human form and became a notable photographer for not only his celebrity portraiture but also his figure studies of the male and female nude. While continually expanding his archive with new work, Gorman works on compilations of his imagery for publication. In the fall of 2009, Damiani Editore released In Their Youth: Early Portraits, which incorporates 40 years of unpublished work. A book of his photos for the award-winning L.A.Eyeworks campaign, entitled Framed was released in 2012. These join Gorman’s previously published books Greg Gorman, Volume I, Greg Gorman, Volume II, Inside Life, Perspectives, As I See It, Just Between Us and a book of platinum prints entitled Odes to Pindar, published by the Journal of the 21st Century. Over the past 30 years, Gorman’s work has been exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the world, including the Helmut Newton Foundation in Berlin. When not shooting famous faces, Gorman travels for specialized photographic projects and is one of the most sought-after speakers in the photographic community. Gorman shares his expertise in hands-on photographic workshops worldwide, most notably his workshops at his studio in Northern California. Gorman has been recognized for his contributions to the world of photography with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Professional Photographers of America, the Achievement in Portraiture Award from The Lucie Foundation and the Pacific Design Center, Stars of Design award. He has also been acknowledged for his charitable works for many organizations, including The Elton John AIDS Foundation, The Oscar De La Hoya Foundation, PETA, Angel Art and PAWS LA. Gorman is also one of the most well-known and sought-after celebrity photographers, having photographed countless stars, such as Al Pacino, Mark Wahlberg, Sophia Loren, Michael Jackson and Kevin Costner. Greg Gorman also has expanded his interests into winemaking and divides his time between his two California homes in Los Angeles and Mendocino.

Used to refer to a time rather than an aesthetic, Contemporary art generally describes pieces created after 1970 or being made by living artists anywhere in the world. This immediacy means it encompasses art responding to the present moment through diverse subjects, media and themes. Contemporary painting, sculpture, photography, performance, digital art, video and more frequently includes work that is attempting to reshape current ideas about what art can be, from Felix Gonzalez-Torres’s use of candy to memorialize a lover he lost to AIDS-related complications to Jenny Holzer’s ongoing “Truisms,” a Conceptual series that sees provocative messages printed on billboards, T-shirts, benches and other public places that exist outside of formal exhibitions and the conventional “white cube” of galleries.

Contemporary art has been pushing the boundaries of creative expression for years. Its disruption of the traditional concepts of art are often aiming to engage viewers in complex questions about identity, society and culture. In the latter part of the 20th century, contemporary movements included Land art, in which artists like Robert Smithson and Michael Heizer create large-scale, site-specific sculptures, installations and other works in soil and bodies of water; Sound art, with artists such as Christian Marclay and Susan Philipsz centering art on sonic experiences; and New Media art, in which mass media and digital culture inform the work of artists such as Nam June Paik and Rafaël Rozendaal.

The first decades of the 21st century have seen the growth of Contemporary African art, the revival of figurative painting, the emergence of street art and the rise of NFTs, unique digital artworks that are powered by blockchain technology.

Major Contemporary artists practicing now include Ai Weiwei, Cecily Brown, David Hockney, Yayoi Kusama, Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami and Kara Walker.

Find a collection of Contemporary prints, photography, paintings, sculptures and other art on 1stDibs.

There’s a lot to love about black and white photography.

The unique and timeless quality of a black and white photograph accentuates any room. Some might argue that we’re naturally drawn to color photography because it’s the world we know best. This is a shared belief, particularly in the era of camera-phone photography, editing apps and the frenetic immediacy of sharing photos on social media. But when we look at black and white photography, we experience deep, rich shadows and tonal properties in a way that transfixes us. Composition and textures are crisp and engaging. We’re immediately drawn to the subjects of vintage street photography and continue to feel the emotional impact of decades-old photojournalism. The silhouettes of mountains in black and white landscape photography are particularly pronounced, while portrait photography and the skylines of urban cityscapes come to life in monochrome prints.

When decorating with fine photography, keep in mind that some color photographs may not be suitable for every space. However, you can be more daring with black and white photos. The gray tones are classic, sophisticated and generally introduce elegance to any corner of your home, which renders black and white prints amazingly versatile.

Black and white photography adapts to its surroundings like a chameleon might. A single large-scale black and white photograph above the sofa in your living room is going to work with any furniture style, and as some homeowners and designers today are working to introduce more muted tones and neutral palettes to dining rooms and bedrooms, the integration of black and white photography — a hallmark of minimalist decor — is a particularly natural choice for such a setting.

Another advantage to bringing black and white photography into your home is that you can style walls and add depth and character without worrying about disrupting an existing color scheme. Black and white photographs actually harmonize well with accent colors such as yellow, red and green. Your provocative Memphis Group lighting and bold Pierre Paulin seating will pair nicely with the black and white fine nude photography you’ve curated over the years.

Black and white photography also complements a variety of other art. Black and white photos pair well with drawings and etchings in monochromatic hues. They can also form part of specific color schemes. For example, you can place black and white prints in colored picture frames for a pop of color. And while there are no hard and fast rules, it’s best to keep black and white prints separate from color photographs. Color prints stand out in a room more than black and white prints do. Pairing them may detract attention from your black and white photography. Instead, dedicate separate walls or spaces to each.

Once you’ve selected the photography that best fits your space, you’ll need to decide how to hang the images. If you want to hang multiple photos, it’s essential to know how to arrange wall art. A proper arrangement can significantly enhance a living space.

On 1stDibs, explore a vast collection of compelling black and white photography by artists such as Mark Shaw, Jack Mitchell (a photographer you should know), Berenice Abbott and David Yarrow.