Halo in Blood
Photographer
Author
Book Genre
Photograph Title
Hopper's Topper: Hedda Hopper, Hollywood 1948
Notes
Here is an example of collaboration between publisher, designer and photographer. Alan Forster uses Weegee's photographs, along with and a consistent, stark design scheme to illustrate a series of books for the mystery and crime publisher, No Exit Press.
In researching Weegee's image of actress and gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, I realized that the picture on the cover of 'Halo in Blood' is actually a variation, only slightly different from image which is usually reproduced. I mention this because Hopper's expression naturally makes one think Weegee took the picture spontaneously. But for him to get (at least) two almost identical versions, Hopper would almost certainly have to be posing. In any case, the image works as a cover because the woman (aka Hopper) looks like she's screaming, her hat resembles a halo, and the pinkish graphics conjure up both femininity and blood. KB
In researching Weegee's image of actress and gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, I realized that the picture on the cover of 'Halo in Blood' is actually a variation, only slightly different from image which is usually reproduced. I mention this because Hopper's expression naturally makes one think Weegee took the picture spontaneously. But for him to get (at least) two almost identical versions, Hopper would almost certainly have to be posing. In any case, the image works as a cover because the woman (aka Hopper) looks like she's screaming, her hat resembles a halo, and the pinkish graphics conjure up both femininity and blood. KB
Photo Genre
Designer
Collection
Citation
“Halo in Blood,” Covering Photography, accessed November 21, 2024, https://coveringphotography.bc.edu/items/show/5795.