RA: Irving Penn is the big master in my mind. He's very minimal, very elegant. His career is remarkable and when you look at the things he does now, it's still remarkable at this age and tied to his earlier photography. I also admire that he likes his privacy. I like that he could be a great fashion and portrait photographer but never having to be on the scene.

LC: Do you relate to other black and white masters besides Irving Penn, like Horst P. Horst?

RA: No one to the degree of Irving Penn, though in modern times I greatly admire Steven Meisel.

LC: What about Meisel?

RA: His style, his control, his research. I think he's extraordinary. When I look at his career next to all the photographers who are somewhat on his level, his continuity is incredible, to be able to produce so many stories in a year that are spectacular, that you go, "Wow!" To pull that off, I think it's amazing.