Ed Clark was a noted American photographer, recognized for his extensive work featured in the pages of LIFE magazine over several decades. While he captured significant historical moments, Clark also frequently pointed his lens towards the world of celebrity and glamour. In 1950, he produced photographs of Hollywood figures in the popular “pinup” style prevalent at the time. Pinup pictures were widely distributed images, often featuring attractive actresses or models in appealing poses, intended for fans to admire and perhaps display.
The year 1950 found Hollywood operating at the height of its studio system glamour. Movie studios carefully crafted the images of their stars, who were viewed as larger-than-life figures by the public. Photography was essential in creating and promoting this sense of allure and stardom. Pictures of actors and actresses appeared constantly in magazines and newspapers, shaping public perception.
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Working within this environment, Ed Clark brought his photojournalist’s eye, honed at LIFE magazine, to his celebrity assignments. Even when taking posed shots, Clark often managed to capture a sense of the subject’s personality. His background meant he was skilled in using light effectively, whether in a studio or on location, and composing images that told a story or conveyed a mood. Like most magazine photography of that era, his work was predominantly in black and white.
Pinup photography during 1950 typically aimed to present an idealized version of female beauty as defined by the era’s standards. The pinup style often included more playful or casual poses. This could involve wearing swimwear, shorts, playsuits, or other clothing that highlighted the figure, a style sometimes referred to as “cheesecake.” Common settings for these photoshoots included professional photography studios, the stars’ own homes or gardens, sunny poolside locations symbolic of the California lifestyle, or even moments captured on film sets.
Ed Clark directed his camera towards both established Hollywood movie stars and young, aspiring actresses, often called starlets, who were trying to make a name for themselves. His photographs, when published in a widely read magazine like LIFE, played a part in building or enhancing the public image of these women. Major female stars prominent around 1950 included actresses such as Ava Gardner, Rita Hayworth, and Lana Turner, and Marilyn Monroe was beginning her rise – Clark photographed her in notable early sessions. Specifically in 1950, Clark shot a well-known series for LIFE that focused on hopeful young actresses in Hollywood, picturing them in styles and poses typical of the pinup aesthetic.
