Herb Ritts (1952-2002) was an American photographer and director who rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s. He is best known for his iconic black-and-white portraits of celebrities, including Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Cindy Crawford.
Ritts was born in 1952 in Los Angeles, California. His father was a successful businessman and his mother was a homemaker. He attended Beverly Hills High School before studying economics at Bard College in New York. After graduating, he returned to Los Angeles and began working as a commercial photographer for magazines such as Vogue and Vanity Fair.
Ritts quickly gained recognition for his unique style of photography which combined elements of fashion, portraiture, and art. His work often featured strong contrasts between light and dark tones, creating dramatic images that were both beautiful and powerful. He also experimented with different techniques such as double exposures and slow shutter speeds to create surreal effects.
In addition to his photography work, Ritts also directed music videos for artists such as Janet Jackson, Chris Isaak, and Madonna. He also directed several feature films including "The Player" (1992) starring Tim Robbins and "The Wedding Planner" (2001) starring Jennifer Lopez.
Throughout his career, Ritts received numerous awards including the International Center of Photography's Infinity Award for Applied Photography (1993), the Lucie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Portraiture (1999), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Magazine Photographers (2000).
Ritts passed away in 2002 at the age of 50 due to complications from pneumonia. His legacy lives on through his iconic photographs which continue to inspire photographers around the world.