6 Photographs and 1 Extra
The iconic photograph of Marilyn Monroe with her white dress billowing up around her was taken during the filming of The Seven Year Itch (1955). The image became one of the most famous in pop culture history. Here’s the story behind it:
The Scene & the Photograph
The scene was filmed on September 15, 1954, on Lexington Avenue at 52nd Street in New York City. It features Marilyn Monroe standing over a subway grate.
The scene was originally filmed as part of Billy Wilder’s romantic comedy The Seven Year Itch. The film follows a man struggling with temptation while his wife is away, and Monroe plays the beautiful neighbour who stirs his fantasies.
The Public Spectacle
To generate publicity, the filmmakers staged the scene at night in front of a crowd of photographers and spectators. Hundreds of people, including the press and fans, gathered to watch. Monroe’s then-husband, Joe DiMaggio, was in attendance—and he was not pleased. He reportedly became furious over the revealing nature of the scene, leading to a heated argument with Monroe afterwards. Their marriage ended in divorce just weeks later.
The Retake
The original footage from that night was too noisy due to the crowd, so the scene had to be reshot later on a closed Hollywood set. However, the real-life New York shoot gave us the famous photograph, captured by multiple photographers, including Sam Shaw.
Legacy
The image of Marilyn Monroe with her skirt blowing up remains one of the most famous photos in history. It has been endlessly reproduced, parodied, and celebrated in pop culture.
Canon 5D Series
The Canon 5D series is renowned for its beautiful colour reproduction, offering rich, natural, and well-balanced tones straight out of the camera. Whether you’re shooting portraits, landscapes, or street photography, the 5D’s full-frame sensor delivers.
What Makes the Canon 5D’s Colours So Special?
- Accurate Skin Tones – One of the standout features of the 5D is how beautifully it renders natural skin tones. It avoids overly warm or artificial-looking colours, making it a favourite for portrait photographers.
- Rich, Deep Blues – Sky and water shots appear deep and saturated, yet remain true to life without excessive processing.
- Warm, Golden Highlights — The camera captures golden hour light elegantly, effortlessly balancing warmth and shadow detail.
- Natural Greens – Unlike some cameras that push greens towards an artificial hue, the 5D keeps them organic and soft, making it ideal for landscapes and nature shots.
- Excellent Dynamic Range – Shadows and highlights are handled gracefully, allowing for stunning contrast without losing detail.
The Classic Canon Look
The 5D has often been praised for its filmic quality, producing images with a soft yet rich colour palette that feels timeless. Many professional photographers prefer it over other brands because of its natural rendering, especially for skin tones and warm highlights.
I have recently purchased an original Canon 5D in pristine condition and look forward to using it over the summer of 2025.