Commemorating 100 Years
Sid Avery and his Hasselblad
Audrey Hepburn, James Dean, and Elizabeth Taylor – iconic American photographer Sid Avery photographed them all, many of the shots taken with his Hasselblad 500C. Known for capturing the stars of Hollywood’s golden age, Sid showed another side of these celebrities in a candid, intimate way. Born on 12 October 1918, his centennial year was celebrated on 12 October 2018, commemorating his contributions to the art of photography and the preservation of Hollywood history through his lens.
© SID AVERY / MPTVIMAGES.COM
JAMES DEAN ON LOCATION FOR "GIANT" IN MARFA, TEXAS 1955
© SID AVERY / MPTVIMAGES.COM
Raised in Los Angeles, California where he was mentored by his uncle Max Tatch, a landscape photographer, Sid learned the ins and outs of photography and the darkroom processes. While working at Morgan's Camera store on Sunset Boulevard in the heart of Hollywood, where many big-time photographers came by, Sid studied the craft by night at Art Center. This was followed by a position as a darkroom assistant. Finally, he opened his own studio shooting portraits of female theatre dancers.
Sid was then shipped out to Europe during Word War II where he ran the US army's photography division. Returning to Hollywood during its golden era, Sid became the celebrity photographer of choice during the 40s and 50s.
ELIZABETH TAYLOR SUNNING HERSELF WHILE ON LOCATION IN MARFA, TEXAS FOR THE FILM "GIANT"
© SID AVERY / MPTVIMAGES.COM
MARLON BRANDO AT HIS BEVERLY GLEN HOME IN LOS ANGELES 1953
© SID AVERY / MPTVIMAGES.COM
Being invited to their homes or simply catching them off guard in between filming scenes, Sid captured a side of Hollywood stars that no one had ever seen before. Thanks to his genuine, friendly nature that made his subjects feel at ease, he was able to show the public the private side of the biggest names in entertainment.
Sid Avery passed away on 1 July 2002. He was 83 years old.
AUDREY HEPBURN WITH HER PET DOG, FAMOUS, ON THE PARAMOUNT STUDIO BACKLOT 1957
© SID AVERY / MPTVIMAGES.COM
SAMMY DAVIS JR., DEAN MARTIN, FRANK SINATRA AND JOEY BISHOP
STAGE A FIGHT DURING THE MAKING OF "OCEAN'S ELEVEN" 1960
© SID AVERY / MPTVIMAGES.COM
More Hasselblad stories
All stories ⟶Ottavio Giannella
THE EARTH AWAKENS
Photographer Ottavio Giannella flies with his X1D II 50C from Italy to Frankfurt and then on to Keflavík Airport in Iceland. He makes a 40-minute drive to the valley of the Reykjavík peninsula and a two-hour walk to his destination, the Fagradalsfjall eruption site.
Dayanita Singh
Books, Boxes, and Museums - Exhibits Reconstructed
On the 15th of October, Dayanita Singh was presented with the 2022 Hasselblad Award by the Hasselblad Foundation. Often referred to as "the Nobel Prize" in photography, the Hasselblad Award celebrates one artist's pioneering achievements in the photographic arts and their impact on the next generation of photographers. The Hasselblad Foundation highlights Singh's unique archival work, that not only documents the lives of archives but brings about a new way to interact and experience the art of photography.
Ali Rajabi
Pausing New York With the X2D
Every photographer knows about the Hasselblad brand, whether they're an amateur, enthusiast, or professional because the history of photography is on the shoulders of Hasselblad. For me, it's an investment in my career, to move to the next level. It's always important to have the right tools in the right moments to make great photographs.
Hans Strand
Iceland in Mesmerising 100MP Detail
For me as a photographer, the X2D is what a Stradivarius violin might be for a violinist. It's the ultimate camera.
Flora Borsi
Magical Realism With The X2D
The X2D is like a camera for painters. The pictures have the taste and technical background of a painting. I almost couldn't differentiate the two because it's just so perfect. This camera produces all the data I could ever use to convey the tales I want to tell with my pictures.
Heath Holden
Disappearing Doha
Discovering his new home of Doha, Qatar through the lens of street photography, Heath Holden explored the older and more traditional neighborhoods of the historical city.
Walter Janach
A Love Affair with Aviation on the 500C
Unable to become a pilot due to his eyesight, the young Swiss photographer and later professor of technical thermodynamics Walter Janach channeled his passion for aviation into capturing these majestic flying machines on his 500C.
Donald Michael Chambers
60 Minutes of Silence
No talking. No phones. No distractions. For 60 minutes, Donald Michael Chambers sat with each of his 30 subjects in complete silence. Once the hour began, Donald gave no direction and simply decided when to click the shutter button.
Gavin Goodman
Pleating Paper into Sculptural Headwear
South African photographer Gavin Goodman had a vision to create a series influenced by traditional African headwear done with a modern and simplistic touch. Commissioning a local origami artist as a unique way to bring this vision to life, they transformed delicate paper into beautiful African-inspired sculptural objects.