Esquire, October 2004, The Photo Issue – Thomas Hawk Digital Connection

Photo by James White.

The October 2004 issue of Esquire magazine is worth checking out. As a non-Esquire reader I was really pleased at how well their first ever photo issue came out. The issue features some of today�s most prominent professional photographers as well as several interesting articles revolving around photography. The only thing that might have made the issue complete would have been a discussion of photoblogging and a review of some of the top sites on the internet today.

The cover of the magazine features Brazillian supermodel Gisele Bundchen behind a strategically placed tripod as well as her dressed in a Polaroid dress on the inside. Photographers featured include Tina Barney, Martin Parr, Mary Ellen Mark, Eugene Richards, Joel Meyerowitz, Christopher Anderson and Bruce Davidson.

Additionally the issue features several interesting stories including an interview with Playboy photographer Arny Freytag and a photo essay series of pictures taken by famous people including Avril Lavigne, Robert Smith, Alicia Keys, Terry Bradshaw, and Kevin Smith (who seems to be obsessively focused on having sex with this wife).

The issue also includes some of Diane Arbus� photographs from when she worked for Esquire between 1960 and 1971. There is an article on how to take a self portrait by Chuck Close, a photo essay piece on the 7 people who will elect the president by Andrew Hetherington, a piece on how to photograph your dog by Elliott Erwitt and one of the most interesting pieces, some of the polaroid�s taken by Director John Waters. Apparantly John Waters has photographed everyone who has come to his house� EVER.

Finally there is a series of professional photographers doing self portraits as well as a series of famous people making funny faces.

All in all the issue is quite interesting and definitely worth the $3.50 cover price.

Gisele Bundchen, Esquire, October 2004
Photo by James White.