Fabulous Photographs From the “Bubble” Series by Melvin Sokolsky in 1963

In 1963, New York City-based photographer and film director Melvin Sokolsky (1933–2022) produced the “Bubble” series of photographs depicting fashion models “floating” in giant clear plastic bubbles suspended in midair above the River Seine in Paris.

h/t: vintag.es

“The bubble in the series is made of Plastivew and is composed of two hemispheres with a 1/8-inch crack to allow for breathing room. Then the bubble was hung from a very thin, but strong cable. (It could have also held up a Cadillac.) This was probably one of the easiest shoots I’ve ever done in my life because there were no hair or makeup interruptions. No one could touch her in the bubble, so it was just her and I creating the images.” – Melvin Sokolsky

Melvin Sokolsky was best known for his editorial fashion photographs for publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, and The New York Times. Sokolsky’s work is not limited to that field. Three quarters of his print photography has been for advertising, which does not usually carry a byline. Toward the end of the 1960s, he worked as both commercial director and cameraman.