Irving Penn's photos of celebrities crammed into corners

On How to Be a Retronaut, a gallery of Irving Penn's "Corner Portraits" -- black and white photos of celebrities shot wedged into narrow corners in his studio. The effect is striking, making models like Marlene Dietrich (thumbnail shown here) seem even more angular and isolated.

Corner Portraits by Irving Penn

I write books. My latest is a YA science fiction novel called Homeland (it's the sequel to Little Brother). More books: Rapture of the Nerds (a novel, with Charlie Stross); With a Little Help (short stories); and The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (novella and nonfic). I speak all over the place and I tweet and tumble, too.

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BrotherPower

I notice no Jennifer Grey. I guess what they say is true.
Teller

Thanks for this. Best shooter ever.
MadMolecule

Really dig those. But the rather cold, rigid format doesn’t really suit Spencer Tracy, does it?
- Guest
  
  He has a little smile on his face, his elbow as sharp as the angle of the corner itself, and the light values in the photo as well balanced.
  
  I like the one of Joe Louis best, with his hands extended as though he had his gloves on.