Sabine Weiss
Sabina Weiss (nee Weber, 1924) is one of the known "photographie humanistes” adherent.
She was born in Geneva in a small picturesque village. Her father was a chemical engineer. Since being a child, Sabina was fond of photographing.
Sabina always liked taking a close look at everything around and admiring. And she was quite young when she decided that photography is what she will do in life.
“I was well acquainted with various chemicals and extremely interested in everything related to laboratory work and photography,”- Sabina recalls.
She was born in Geneva in a small picturesque village. Her father was a chemical engineer. Since being a child, Sabina was fond of photographing.
Sabina always liked taking a close look at everything around and admiring. And she was quite young when she decided that photography is what she will do in life.
“I was well acquainted with various chemicals and extremely interested in everything related to laboratory work and photography,”- Sabina recalls.
Sabine Weiss
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«I had an independent character, but I would not call myself a rebel. My father allowed me a lot. So I didn’t have to fight for the freedom, I had it initially».
At 16 Weiss left her parental home to become an “au-pair”, a children’s teacher. The same time she made a course in one famous photography school in Genève. She wandered through the streets with a camera taking pictures of shop fronts and passers-by. With her father’s support, Sabina was able choose her own path, and it was at the era when women didn’t have such an opportunity and were not independent in their decisions!
Then a whole series of fateful acquaintances followed, for instance such is the one with Robert Doisneau, the famous photographer was impressed by Sabina’s works. Thanks to his support, Weiss signed a contract with Vogue Magazine and then with Rapho agency. As a result, Weiss became one of the representatives of the French movement of humanistic photography.
Then a whole series of fateful acquaintances followed, for instance such is the one with Robert Doisneau, the famous photographer was impressed by Sabina’s works. Thanks to his support, Weiss signed a contract with Vogue Magazine and then with Rapho agency. As a result, Weiss became one of the representatives of the French movement of humanistic photography.
In Paris she works for European and American magazines, makes reports and advertisements, takes photographs of celebrities and those from the fashion world.
Soon Sabina meets her future husband Hugh Weiss, whom she married in 1950.
However, this formal step was taken for practical reasons: “I had to fly to Egypt to do a photo story, and he told me “Let's get married so that I can pull you back in case you’d have any trouble. "
By the way, she really faced difficulties in Egypt.
Soon Sabina meets her future husband Hugh Weiss, whom she married in 1950.
However, this formal step was taken for practical reasons: “I had to fly to Egypt to do a photo story, and he told me “Let's get married so that I can pull you back in case you’d have any trouble. "
By the way, she really faced difficulties in Egypt.
«I always liked observing the world closely and admiring what life placed before my eyes».
"They sent me out for espionage”,— says Sabina Weiss with a crafty smile.
Сurious by her nature, Sabina Weiss travels around the world: the United States, Europe, Egypt, India, Morocco, Burma...
She prefers to keep a low profile. Would it be her or anyone else’s personal exhibition, she does not to attend them. “There was a couple of times when some great expositions arranged in the USA, but I did not get around to them,” she says. Therefore, her first solo exhibition happened when Weiss was at the age of 92.
Сurious by her nature, Sabina Weiss travels around the world: the United States, Europe, Egypt, India, Morocco, Burma...
She prefers to keep a low profile. Would it be her or anyone else’s personal exhibition, she does not to attend them. “There was a couple of times when some great expositions arranged in the USA, but I did not get around to them,” she says. Therefore, her first solo exhibition happened when Weiss was at the age of 92.
Main rules of photography by Sabina Weiss
Keep in mind simplicity and elegance of the frame
“The photo should be simple in terms of composition, but also it should have the ability to hook you emotionally.”
Notice the details and be open-minded
This formula can be applied to Sabina Weiss herself, whose unusual life seems simple and modest. Following her subtle instinct, she photographs some momentary meetings, unnoticed gestures and silent pauses. Whether it was the Dior model or a street beggar, she would find an approach to everyone.
Have some extra work
Find a non-photography job and multiple sources of income. In her interviews Sabina Weiss says that the life of the current generation has changed and people now may live up to 100 years old. Therefore, it is better to think over being able to have options for developing your career in advance so that photography would become your favourite work and not a necessity.
Keep in mind simplicity and elegance of the frame
“The photo should be simple in terms of composition, but also it should have the ability to hook you emotionally.”
Notice the details and be open-minded
This formula can be applied to Sabina Weiss herself, whose unusual life seems simple and modest. Following her subtle instinct, she photographs some momentary meetings, unnoticed gestures and silent pauses. Whether it was the Dior model or a street beggar, she would find an approach to everyone.
Have some extra work
Find a non-photography job and multiple sources of income. In her interviews Sabina Weiss says that the life of the current generation has changed and people now may live up to 100 years old. Therefore, it is better to think over being able to have options for developing your career in advance so that photography would become your favourite work and not a necessity.