elliott erwitt

Elliott Erwitt was born on July 26, 1928, in Paris, France, to Jewish-Russian immigrant parents. He moved to the United States in 1939, after spending his earlier years in France and Italy.

He lived in New York City before moving to Los Angeles, where he attended Hollywood High School, Los Angeles City College, and New School for Social Research, completing his education in 1950.

In high school, Erwitt worked in a commercial dark room making “signed” photographs of famous men and women. In 1949 he traveled to Italy and France to take photographs, an excursion that started his career. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951 and was stationed in New Jersey. He went to France and Germany, and eventually settled in New York City once his tour was complete. He shot for various publications domestically and overseas, separately from his military duties.

Men such as Edward Steichen, Robert Capa, and Roy Stryker became Erwitt’s mentors. In 1953, Capa invited Erwitt to become a member of Magnum Photos, an international photographic cooperative he would later be president of for three terms.

Erwitt is a well-known documentary and commercial photographer, having taken portraits of famous individuals such as Marilyn Monroe. He is also known for his poetic, witty, and humorous photographs of everyday life. His photography portfolios include portraits, snaps, phototoons, children, hand pix, and flicks. He also has several advertising, fashion, and corporate commissions.

He has published more than 20 photography books.

Aside from photography, Erwitt made several films in the 1970s and produced 17 comedy and satire television programs in the 1980s. Erwitt’s films include Beauty Knows No Pain (1970), Red White and Blue Grass (1973), The Glassmakers of Herat (1977).