William Klein—born in New York, New York, USA, on April 19, 1928—is “a photographer and filmmaker noted to for his ironic approach to both media” as well as for bring a unique eye and unusual techniques to his photography work (ArtStack, pp. 1). This helped turn him into a giant in the fashion photography industry as well as an ardent critic of American society, relative to what is or is not art. Klein, whose career came into fruition in the Post-War era, was a photographer defined by his position as part of a movement of American photographers who worked their craft for fashion journals throughout Europe. Paris was the city of choice for Klein, who worked with Vogue, and much of his Post-War work was done there.
A piece of his work of interest in this respect is “Dorothy Blowing Light Smoke Rings.” Taken in Paris, the photograph is primarily a profile of the eponymous Dorothy wearing what is best described as a felt formal outfit, including a skirt and notched-collar jacket and small, flat hat. However, Dorothy’s profile is framed in darkness, save for a cigarette holder in one hand and large, light smoke rings—almost like floating halos—billowing before her. The piece, regardless of the outfit being shown off, is a masterwork in vibrant chiaro scuro: the contrast between Dorothy’s body, and the smoke rings, and the darkness around them is both captivating and unmissable.