Famous Photographers
Throughout the past twenty years, there have been a number of talented photographers who have made an impact on the art of photography. Whether they are known for their ability to capture the emotion and mood of a scene, or their innovative techniques, these photographers have changed the way we view the world.

Cartier-Bresson
Known for his stunning photographs, Henri Cartier-Bresson has been one of the most famous photographers of the twentieth century. His pictures have been exhibited in many countries. In fact, he travelled to over 40 different countries, documenting historical moments and the people who were affected. He also left behind half a million negatives.
Henri Cartier-Bresson was born in 1908 outside Paris, France. He was raised in a wealthy family. He was educated at Magdalene College in Cambridge, England. He studied painting, and also took an interest in filmmaking. He worked as a photojournalist for magazines such as LIFE and Harper’s Bazaar. His work was exhibited in major exhibits in Mexico and New York.
Leibovitz
Among the many famous photographers of the twenty first century, one of the most influential is Annie Leibovitz. A talented portraitist, Leibovitz photographs a wide range of subjects, from celebrities to musicians to athletes. Her photographs have appeared in magazines, newspapers and books across the world. She also has contributed photos for ad campaigns for numerous companies.
Leibovitz began her career as a photographer for Rolling Stone magazine, where she developed her signature style. Her documentary shots include messy hotel rooms, unexpected poses and backstage scenes. Her work has reflected a shift in the cultural role of photography.
Nachtwey
During the 20th century, there were many famous photographers. Some of them were very influential. Some others were not. For example, Robert Capa is a legendary photojournalist. But another whose name is a little less well-known is James Nachtwey.
As a war photographer, James Nachtwey has covered almost every major war in the last three decades. In addition to his work covering wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Chechnya, and Bosnia, he has also photographed famine in Africa, the AIDS crisis in sub-Saharan Africa, and the humanitarian crisis in Somalia.
Penn
Among the Famous Photographers of The Twenty First Century, there are two American names that will always be remembered. William Penn and Irving Penn are two of the most revered photographers of the twentieth century. Their work is a powerful reminder of photography’s enduring power.
William Penn was a keen traveler. He brought film and a Rolleiflex camera to a number of countries. He also made portraits of New Guinea tribesmen. He was a master photographer.
His portraits of small tradesmen are a stunning reminder of the greatness of photography. They update 300 years of interest in the working class.
McCullin and McCullin
Known as one of the world’s greatest photographers, Don McCullin has a career spanning more than half a century. As a war photographer, he has documented some of the most devastating conflicts of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. His work has received critical acclaim and he is often hailed as the best British photographer of the 20th century.
Born in Finsbury Park, London, in 1935, McCullin spent his early years in a depressed neighborhood. He eventually joined the Royal Air Force and learned about photography. He served in Kenya, Egypt, Cyprus, the Canal Zone during the Suez Crisis, and the RAF.
Doubilet
Whether he’s capturing the beauty of the sea, or exploring the mystery of the deep, underwater photographer David Doubilet has spent decades documenting the world beneath the waves. He has become one of the most famous underwater photographers of the 20th century, and his images have been featured in numerous publications. He is known for his close-up photographs of exotic marine life, and his work has also been used to illustrate articles in National Geographic. He’s traveled to such far-flung places as Antarctica and the Grand Cayman Islands, where he’s gotten up close to crocodiles and penguins.
Weston Weston
During his 40-year career, Edward Henry Weston became one of the most influential photographers of the twentieth century. He photographed a variety of subjects from the American West to Europe and the Middle East. He was also a prominent proponent of detail photography.
Edward Weston was born in Highland Park, Illinois in 1886. At age 16, his father gave him a camera. He began taking pictures at an aunt’s farm. In 1903, he showed his work at the Chicago Art Institute. He met Alfred Stieglitz, who was an influential figure in the art world.
These were just a few well known and respected photographers. If you have a collection of photographic art or just photos you have taken yourself, Phantom Lighting can help to frame them in the perfect light. Reach out today to speak with our expert lighting designers to create your perfect lighting system to showcase your photographic art pieces.