Nelson Frazier Evans (June 6, 1889 – October 17, 1922) was an American photographer during the days of Old Hollywood. Evans was known for his portraits of film actors such as Darrell Foss, Marie Prevost, Louise Glaum and many others during the silent film era including director Philip Rosen. He is considered one of the creators of pin-up photography.
Evans was born in Columbus, Ohio.[1] He was the son of a coal mine operator, who objected to Evans' choice to pursue a career in photography. Initially working in the eastern United States, Evans moved to the west coast in the 1910s to pursue a career as a portrait photographer in Hollywood, eventually establishing a studio at 6039 Hollywood Boulevard in 1915.[2] At the time, Hollywood studio photographers focused mainly on shooting movie still images of sets and scenes — actors and actresses were forced to find personal photographers to take portrait shots.[2] This market niche was filled by professional photographers like Evans. Evans also did more traditional still photography for a number of prominent movie studios.[2][1]
Evans introduced several innovations to the photography scene of Old Hollywood; he avoided using fancy props, and rendered effects or backgrounds directly on photo negatives.[1] Evans is also credited[2][1] by author and film historian David S. Shields with creating the genre of "Cheesecake Photography", a forerunner to pin-up photography.[2] Some of Evans' full body swimsuit photographs appeared in various media, such as in magazines and on cigarette packaging.[2]
During World War I Evans was drafted into government service[3][2] and stationed in New York City. He was commissioned as a first lieutenant, and was involved with the growing field of aerial photography, for which he attempted to develop a new camera.[2] In his personal life, Evans collected rare books; he was also noted as having been interested in religion and metaphysics.[2]
Following his death, Evans' studio was converted into an art gallery. In 1929, his studio was damaged by a fire possibly set as part of a wider vendetta against still photographers operating in Hollywood.[2] Evans' early death resulted in him fading from memory more so than his contemporaries, such as Fred Hartsook and Albert Witzel.[2]
^ abcdeShields, David S. (2013-06-18). Still: American Silent Motion Picture Photography. University of Chicago Press. ISBN9780226013435.
^ abcdefghijklmharnisch (2012-11-19). "Mary Mallory / Hollywood Heights — Nelson Evans, Hollywood's Early Forgotten Portrait Photographer". Retrieved 2019-03-22.
^Dramatic Mirror of Motion Pictures and the Stage. Dramatic Mirror Company. 1918.
March 14, 2024
nelson, evans, nelson, frazier, evans, june, 1889, october, 1922, american, photographer, during, days, hollywood, evans, known, portraits, film, actors, such, darrell, foss, marie, prevost, louise, glaum, many, others, during, silent, film, including, directo. Nelson Frazier Evans June 6 1889 October 17 1922 was an American photographer during the days of Old Hollywood Evans was known for his portraits of film actors such as Darrell Foss Marie Prevost Louise Glaum and many others during the silent film era including director Philip Rosen He is considered one of the creators of pin up photography Lobby card of three Mack Sennett Bathing Beauties Contents 1 Biography 1 1 Legacy 2 Gallery 3 ReferencesBiography editEvans was born in Columbus Ohio 1 He was the son of a coal mine operator who objected to Evans choice to pursue a career in photography Initially working in the eastern United States Evans moved to the west coast in the 1910s to pursue a career as a portrait photographer in Hollywood eventually establishing a studio at 6039 Hollywood Boulevard in 1915 2 At the time Hollywood studio photographers focused mainly on shooting movie still images of sets and scenes actors and actresses were forced to find personal photographers to take portrait shots 2 This market niche was filled by professional photographers like Evans Evans also did more traditional still photography for a number of prominent movie studios 2 1 Evans introduced several innovations to the photography scene of Old Hollywood he avoided using fancy props and rendered effects or backgrounds directly on photo negatives 1 Evans is also credited 2 1 by author and film historian David S Shields with creating the genre of Cheesecake Photography a forerunner to pin up photography 2 Some of Evans full body swimsuit photographs appeared in various media such as in magazines and on cigarette packaging 2 During World War I Evans was drafted into government service 3 2 and stationed in New York City He was commissioned as a first lieutenant and was involved with the growing field of aerial photography for which he attempted to develop a new camera 2 In his personal life Evans collected rare books he was also noted as having been interested in religion and metaphysics 2 Evans died in October 1922 at the age of 33 1 Legacy edit Following his death Evans studio was converted into an art gallery In 1929 his studio was damaged by a fire possibly set as part of a wider vendetta against still photographers operating in Hollywood 2 Evans early death resulted in him fading from memory more so than his contemporaries such as Fred Hartsook and Albert Witzel 2 Gallery edit nbsp Roxana McGowan taking Mary Thurman s photograph nbsp Alice Maison nbsp Jack Mulhall 1920 nbsp Tom Moore actor 1920 nbsp Claire Anderson and Rose Carter on the beach nbsp Sennett Girls in serpentine confetti nbsp Lillian Biron Vera Reynolds and Teddy Sampson nbsp Doris Pawn 1920 nbsp Alice Lake 1920 nbsp Doris May 1920 nbsp Dorothy Manners 1922 nbsp Marie Prevost nbsp Alice Lake nbsp Pell Trenton 1920 nbsp Priscilla Moran nbsp Annette Kellerman nbsp Edward F Cline nbsp Wanda Hawley nbsp Dorothy DaltonReferences edit a b c d e Shields David S 2013 06 18 Still American Silent Motion Picture Photography University of Chicago Press ISBN 9780226013435 a b c d e f g h i j k lmharnisch 2012 11 19 Mary Mallory Hollywood Heights Nelson Evans Hollywood s Early Forgotten Portrait Photographer Retrieved 2019 03 22 Dramatic Mirror of Motion Pictures and the Stage Dramatic Mirror Company 1918 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nelson Evans amp oldid 1112317251, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
