Philippe Halsman: Inventor of “Jumpology” and the Environmental Portrait Philippe Halsman (1906–1979, born Riga, Latvia) was a portrait photographer known for his creativity, technical inventiveness, and psychological depth. He designed custom cameras, used large-format and TLR systems, and was obsessed with light, gesture, and the unexpected. His portraits for Life , collaborations with Salvador Dalí (e.g. Dalí Atomicus ), and his own “Jump Book” project remain hallmarks of 20th-century photography. Camera Gear Here are camera tools and setups directly confirmed from sources, or with strong evidence: Old view camera (plate camera, ~9×12 cm) — Halsman started young, using a view camera found in the attic. Twin-lens reflex (TLR) camera designed by Halsman himself — He constructed a 9×12 cm twin-lens reflex in the 1930s, later other dual-lens (twin-lens) large-format “Halsman” cameras. Hasselblads and Rolleiflex TLRs — Used for certain portrait and reportage work. ...
"The camera is an instrument that teaches people to see without a camera" - Dorothea Lange