Irving Klaw - Pinup photographer

Irving Klaw was one of the pioneer pinup photographers. Im not so interested in his work as I am modern pinup style artists, but since he was the beginning I decided to talk about him. His work is raw, and racey, often pornographic, but he created a concept that many followed in his footsteps. One of his biggest subjects was the famous Betty Page, whom got her stardom from her modeling with Klaw. His images are often gritty looking, and even seedy, as if no one should even be aware of the images. however, He used his style to launch his own mail order photo business selling these pinup shots.

This style is what is the most interesting. Its erotic, yet nostalgic, and has been seen everywhere from the nose of airplanes, to that old wrinkly veteran's arm, inked into his tanned skin. Pin up photography exploded during the time of the war, and many of these images were the posters that every soldier had in their locker. Not only that, it also was used to sell everything from cigarettes to automotives. Klaw started it all. I can only image the opposition that would be around to these images in the late 1930s. This style is still here today. the models change and so does their appearance, but the style lasts.