Famous Photographers Series - Part 9 - Helen Levitt
Famous Photographers Series - Part 9 - Helen Levitt
Helen Levitt (August 31, 1913 – March 29, 2009) was an American photographer. She was particularly noted for "street photography" around New York City, and has been called "the most celebrated and least known photographer of her time". (Wikipedia)
“I never had a ‘project.’ I would go out and shoot, follow my eyes—what they noticed, I tried to capture with my camera, for others to see.” – Helen Levitt
Helen Levitt photographed mostly scenes of everyday life in the big city. In the 40 photos below, almost all were taken in New York City. Many of them "tell a story". The few that were taken elsewhere have been indicated as such, and since I could not find titles for her photos I have provided only their dates, some comments of my own, but all of them should speak for themselves. Although I have posted many of my own landscapes and photos of items and places, I have also taken and posted from time to time what could be called "street photography" as well. In fact, soon I will go through my photo library and put together a "street photography" article of my own works.
1. 1971
2. 1980
3. 1988
4. 1940
5. 1940
6. 1940
7.
8. 1959
9.
10. 1938 I noticed that of her photos showed children's chalk drawings, indicating that it was a common children's activity.
11. 1938
12. 1938 I really like this photo.
13. 1938
14. 1940
15. Mexico, 1941
16. 1941 Mexico
17. Tacubaya, Mexico
18. 1940
19. 1946
20. 1945
21. 1945 I got the title to this one: Black Cat
22. 1959
23. 1959
24. 1971
25. 1971
26. 1971
27. Check out the hair and the eye makeup. Whew.
28. 1971
29. 1971
30. 1971
31. 1971
32. 1977 I used to drive Pontiacs in those days, but they never looked like that.
33. 1978
34. 1978
35. 1980 A skinny Groucho?
36. 1981
37. She doesn't look too happy about being photographed.
38. 1983
39. 1982 Taken in New Jersey. See that Buick at the top left? I owned one just like that at one time. It was a GS 300 or 400.
40. Kids chasing a trolley
I am trying to alternate between male and female (Am I allowed to use those words these days? Should I have said "persons of different genders" instead?) famous photographers. I have not yet decided on whom my next one will be. Maybe it will be me. LOL
Actually I've now decided that Edward Steichen will be the next Famous Photographer to be presented. He was a colleague of Alfred Steiglitz.
I enjoy seeing your photographers' collection. Inner city, stark, the way it was stuff. But. you know, children seem to find a way for fun as shown in most of the photos.
These would be categorized as "American Genre".
Two Nineteenth Century American Genre painters are worth looking into … William Sidney Mount and George Caleb Bingham.
The comparisons and contrasts of American everyday life between the time of these painters and the time of Levitt are interesting.
I have now looked at the works of both of those painters and saw what you meant. Their paintings indicated people engaged in everyday activities - conversing, dancing, playing, etc.
Another great essay Buzz. Levitt was unknown to me, but her work is outstanding.
Here's my contribution to "American Genre".
Just some kids fishing …
© A. Mac/A.G.