Elliott Erwitt
Elliott Erwitt
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Elliott Erwitt was born on July 26, 1928, in Paris, France, to Russian immigrant parents. He is often referred to as Elliott Erwitt, but his given name is Itzhak.
Birth and Death Dates
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Erwitt was born on July 26, 1928, and still active today, although some sources may list him as deceased due to the uncertainty of his exact birthdate in various records.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Nationality: American (naturalized), French (by birth)
Profession:
Photographer
Filmmaker
AuthorEarly Life and Background
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Growing up in a family of artists, Erwitt was exposed to art and music from an early age. His father, Isaac Erwitt, was a Russian-born engineer who immigrated to France with his wife. In 1939, when Erwitt was just 11 years old, his family moved to the United States.
During World War II, Erwitt's father served in the U.S. Army as a photographer. This experience had a lasting impact on young Elliott, sparking an interest in photography. He began taking pictures at around age 12 and continued developing his skills throughout high school.
Major Accomplishments
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Erwitt's career spans over seven decades, with numerous notable achievements:
Photographic Style: Erwitt is known for his distinct photographic style, which blends humor, irony, and a touch of satire. His work often captures the mundane aspects of life in an unexpected way.
Documentary Work: He has worked on various documentary projects, including "The Family" (1958) and "Observations on the Weather" (1959). These films showcase his ability to capture real-life stories through a mix of humor and pathos.Notable Works or Actions
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Some notable works by Erwitt include:
Photography: His photographs have been published in numerous magazines, including _Life_ , _Vogue_, and _The New Yorker_. He has also had several solo exhibitions worldwide.
Films:
"The Family" (1958): A documentary film showcasing a suburban family's daily life. It was his first major feature-length project.
"Observations on the Weather" (1959): Another documentary exploring the daily routines of people living in various parts of the world.Impact and Legacy
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Elliott Erwitt has left an indelible mark on the photography and filmmaking industries:
Influence: His unique style has influenced generations of photographers, filmmakers, and writers. Many notable artists have cited him as an inspiration.
Awards and Honors:
Erwitt was awarded the Hasselblad Award in 1997 for his outstanding contribution to photography.
He received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1954.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Elliott Erwitt is widely quoted and remembered due to:
Unconventional Approach: His willingness to capture the mundane aspects of life has helped shape the way we perceive everyday situations.
Impact on Documentary Photography: His work in documentary photography has paved the way for other artists, encouraging them to explore new ways of storytelling through images.
Timeless Relevance: Despite being active for over seven decades, Erwitt's work remains timeless and continues to inspire new generations.
Erwitt's ability to capture life in a unique and humorous way has made him one of the most quoted and remembered figures in photography and filmmaking.
Quotes by Elliott Erwitt
Elliott Erwitt's insights on:
You can find pictures anywhere. It's simply a matter of noticing things and organizing them. You just have to care about what's around you and have a concern with humanity and the human comedy.
The main thing is to study pictures and stop listening to the pontifictaions of photographers. Photographers aren’t oracles of wisdom. If they’re good photographers, then take a good look at their pictures – what else do you need?
It’s just seeing – at least the photography I care about. You either see or you don’t see. The rest is academic. Anyone can learn how to develop. It’s how you organize what you see into a picture.
You can find pictures anywhere. It’s simply a matter of noticing things and organizing them.
As a professional photographer I take photographs for other people to see – but I want them to see what I see. So I never assume that only a few people will appreciate what I do. At all times, the public should be able to understand what I’ve done, even if they don’t understand how I’ve done it.
If you’re not a curious person, you’re certainly not going to be a good photographer.
