Elliott Erwitt was a photographer whose work was known for his often humorous, black and white portraits of everyday life featuring stars, politicians, and ordinary people.
- Died: November 29, 2023 (Who else died on November 29?)
- Details of death: Died in New York at the age of 95.
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Elliott Erwitt’s legacy
Born in France but growing up in the United States, Erwitt studied photography at Los Angeles City College and the New School for Social Research, beginning his professional career as a photographer while serving in the United States Army. He worked as an assistant while serving in Germany and France, then took those skills to the private sector, where he shot for magazines like “Collier’s,” “Life,” “Look,” and “Holiday.”
Based on the strength of his images, Robert Capa invited him to become a member of the Magnum Photos cooperative, with whom he developed a lifelong association. Erwitt began to shoot political events in the 1950s and ‘60s, including President John F. Kennedy’s funeral in 1963, and continued to capture similar events through much of his career, including Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009. He also photographed stars and starlets, creating iconic images of Marilyn Monroe.
Erwitt also took photos of ordinary people in everyday yet captivating situations, producing black and white snapshots of life and love. He had a special fondness for dogs, with five books devoted solely to images of them. He has dozens of published collections to his name. Erwitt’s work is featured in permanent collections at the International Center of Photography in New York, Jackson Fine Art in Atlanta, the Met Museum in New York, and the International Photography Hall of Fame in St. Louis. He was also a filmmaker, taking part in such productions as the Rolling Stones concert film, “Gimme Shelter,” and the Martin Scorsese-directed documentary “Bob Dylan: No Direction Home.”
Notable quote
“The best things happen when you just happen to be somewhere with a camera”—from a 2020 interview for The Guardian
Tributes to Elliott Erwitt
Full obituary: The New York Times
