Nelson Evans

Nelson Frazier Evans (June 6, 1889 – October 17, 1922) was an American photographer during the days of Old Hollywood. Evans was known for his portraits of film actors such as Darrell Foss, Marie Prevost, Louise Glaum and many others during the silent film era including director Philip Rosen. He is considered one of the creators of pin-up photography.

Biography Evans was born in Columbus, Ohio. At the time, Hollywood studio photographers focused mainly on shooting movie still images of sets and scenes — actors and actresses were forced to find personal photographers to take portrait shots.

Evans introduced several innovations to the photography scene of Old Hollywood; he avoided using fancy props, and rendered effects or backgrounds directly on photo negatives. and stationed in New York City. He was commissioned as a first lieutenant, and was involved with the growing field of aerial photography, for which he attempted to develop a new camera. In his personal life, Evans collected rare books; he was also noted as having been interested in religion and metaphysics.

Evans died in October 1922 at the age of 33.

Legacy Following his death, Evans' studio was converted into an art gallery. In 1929, his studio was damaged by a fire possibly set as part of a wider vendetta against still photographers operating in Hollywood. Evans' early death resulted in him fading from memory more so than his contemporaries, such as Fred Hartsook and Albert Witzel.

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