Hiro (photographer)

Quick Facts: Who was Hiro (photographer)?

Subject:

Hiro (photographer)

Known for:

Pioneering Japanese-American commercial photographer known for elegant fashion and still life work.

Born:

1930-11-03

Died:

2021-08-15

Century / Era:

1930s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Yasuhiro Wakabayashi (若林 康宏, Wakabayashi Yasuhiro) (3 November 1930 – 15 August 2021), known professionally as Hiro (ヒロ), was a Japanese-American commercial photographer. He was known for his fashion and still life photography from the mid-1960s onward. Hiro was born in Shanghai to Japanese parents. His family returned to Japan from China at the end of the Second World War. In 1954, he went to the United States, and briefly enrolled in the School of Modern Photography in New York.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He was dissatisfied with the school, however, and apprenticed himself to the studio of Lester Bookbinder and Reuben Samberg. At the end of 1956, he gained an apprenticeship at Richard Avedon's fashion photography studio in New York City. In 1957, Avedon recommended him to Alexey Brodovitch, the art director at Harper's Bazaar, and Hiro worked there as his assistant for a time, during Brodovitch's Design Laboratory at The New School. By the end of 1957, Hiro was no longer Avedon's assistant, and had launched his own career. Within only a few years, Hiro became a fashion photographer in his own right.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He contributed as a staff photographer to Harper's Bazaar from 1956 to 1975, then worked as a freelancer taking commissioned assignments from Harper's, Vogue and other magazines. One of his early celebrated photographs is a 1963 image of a Harry Winston diamond necklace placed on a bovine hoof. Surreal and unique, Hiro's photographs are noted for their elegance and clean appearance. He uses uncommon lighting, the juxtaposition of unexpected elements, and his particular use of color. He was named Photographer of the Year by the American Society of Media Photographers in 1969 and 1982.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1930 (1930-11-03): Birth of Hiro (photographer) — Pioneering Japanese-American commercial photographer known for elegant fashion and still life work.
2. 1954: 1954 Milestone — In 1954, he went to the United States, and briefly enrolled in the School of Modern Photography in New York.
3. 1956: 1956 Milestone — At the end of 1956, he gained an apprenticeship at Richard Avedon's fashion photography studio in New York City.
4. 1957: 1957 Milestone — In 1957, Avedon recommended him to Alexey Brodovitch, the art director at Harper's Bazaar, and Hiro worked there as his assistant for a time, during Brodovitch's Design Laboratory at The New School.
5. 1963: 1963 Milestone — One of his early celebrated photographs is a 1963 image of a Harry Winston diamond necklace placed on a bovine hoof.
6. 1969: 1969 Milestone — He was named Photographer of the Year by the American Society of Media Photographers in 1969 and 1982.
7. 2021 (2021-08-15): Passing & Historical Legacy — Hiro (photographer) passed away on 2021-08-15, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Hiro (photographer)

True or False: “Hiro was primarily known for documenting candid street photography in the 1960s.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While versatile, Hiro is most noted for his elegant fashion and still life photography, utilizing unexpected juxtapositions.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adolf Wölfli — Contemporary (Died in 1930) (1930): Swiss outsider artist known for meticulous, symbolic, and autobiographical works.
• Adonis (poet) — Contemporary (Born in 1930) (1930): Pioneering Syrian poet, essayist, and translator who revolutionized modern Arabic verse.
• Ahmad Shah of Pahang — Contemporary (Born in 1930) (1930): Sultan of Pahang and 7th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia) from 1979–1984.
• Aaron Beck — Contemporary (Died in 2021) (2021): Father of Cognitive Therapy and CBT, revolutionizing psychiatric treatment.
• Abdelaziz Bouteflika — Contemporary (Died in 2021) (2021): Algerian politician who served as the seventh President of Algeria from 1999 to 2019.
• Abdul Qadeer Khan — Contemporary (Died in 2021) (2021): Pakistani nuclear physicist, known as the 'father of Pakistan's atomic weapons program'
• Adolf Dassler — Shared historical date (11-03 · Born) (1900): Pioneering German cobbler and inventor who founded the sportswear giant Adidas.
• Aleksandr Lyapunov — Shared historical date (11-03 · Died) (1918): Pioneering Russian mathematician known for stability theory in dynamical systems.
• Abiy Ahmed — Shared historical date (08-15 · Born) (1976): Ethiopian Prime Minister known for sweeping reforms and Nobel Peace Prize.
• Alejandro González Iñárritu — Shared historical date (08-15 · Born) (1963): Acclaimed Mexican filmmaker known for intense psychological dramas exploring the human condition.
• 1930 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1930
• November 3 (11-03) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 3
• 2021 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2021
• August 15 (08-15) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on August 15

Frequently Asked Questions about Hiro (photographer)