“I have always been fascinated by the way light can change the mood and meaning of a situation. As a boy, I remember my mother lighting a candle after sunset and the excitement that I felt when the mood of the room suddenly changed, bathing her in the warm, gentle light. I would venture to say the success of an image is based on the harmony between the idea and the lighting.”
-Melvin Sokolsky
Melvin Sokolsky (b. October 9, 1933) is a renowned fashion photographer who began his career at Harper’s Bazaar at the age of 21. By 25, Sokolsky was a regular contributor to the publication, and it was for this same magazine that he produced his most well-known and iconic editorial photoset: the 1963 Bubble series. Inspired by Hieronymus Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights and modern surrealist works, the Bubble series depicts models floating in giant clear plastic bubbles suspended in mid-air over the Seine river and the streets of Paris. Sokolsky’s series has inspired many within the industry, and has been credited with launching the trend of bold, artistic visions within fashion photography.