Throughout his career legendary photographer Irving Penn turned his lens to a wide variety of subjects, from still-life to fashion, cosmetics, celebrities, and as seen in the current lot, everyday people. However, no matter the subject, Penn was able to present each with his unmistakable grace and elegance, turning the mundane into the extraordinary and the commonplace to the rarified. In the Small Trades series, which lasted from 1950-1951 and stretched over London, New York and Paris, Penn asked everyday tradesmen to appear at his studio. In lieu of direction, Penn asked his subjects to occupy the space as they wished, allowing their personalities to slowly emerge under his patient eye. In Street Photographer, 1951, Penn’s subject is seen adjusting his own camera lens in one hand while smoking with the other. Despite being outside his usual milieu, he still appears relaxed and self-assured. As such, he is not performing his role as a photographer but revealing his personality as a professional. By doing so the street photographer reflects Penn’s genius in encouraging his subjects to candidly expose their character.