Watching the Robert Mapplethorpe Documentary was a eye-opening film to watch, and not just because of the content he shot film off. I was surprised that he didn't originally have much interest in photography but once he did he was hooked on pushing the past definition of what photography could be. 

And what he did truly was new and exciting his subjects pushed the boundaries but the way in which he chose to position and compose the subjects was art.  And he gain popularity because of his innovation.  I especially liked his photos with he subjects with alopecia in the ones by themselves he was able to tastefully hide some of the body with the dark shadows surrounding the pale skin and then together they are positioned in a dynamic pose. 

It was sad seeing him be so focused on his work that it was all he really cared about. But even on his deathbed he was determined to leave the world with a lasting impression of his work, which I believe he was successful in doing.