Helen Levitt (1913 – 2009) was a pioneering photographer who is widely credited with being one of the founders of street photography. Her work focused on everyday life in New York City and she was highly influential in the development of the genre. Levitt’s photography has been celebrated for its ability to capture everyday moments, often with a sense of humor and wit. Her work has been widely exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and her influence can still be seen in the work of many contemporary photographers.

Early Life and Career

Helen Levitt was born in the Bronx in 1913, the daughter of Jewish immigrants. She grew up in a working-class neighborhood and began taking photographs when she was 14. Levitt studied at the Clarence H. White School of Photography in the 1930s, where she was exposed to the work of Man Ray and other modernist photographers. After completing her studies, she began taking photographs of children at play in the streets of her neighborhood. She soon expanded her subject matter to encompass all aspects of everyday life in New York City.

Levitt’s work was first exhibited in 1941 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The show was well received and launched her career as a professional photographer. In the 1940s, she began to experiment with color photography, and in the 1950s, she released a series of books featuring her street photography. She also worked on a number of films with the filmmakers James Agee and Luis Buñuel. Throughout her career, Levitt continued to take photographs of everyday life in New York City, and she was honored with a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1959.

Influence and Legacy

Levitt’s work has had a lasting influence on the development of street photography. Her photographs are characterized by an intimate, candid approach to her subjects, often capturing everyday moments with a sense of humor and wit. Her work has been widely exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and has been featured in numerous books and films. Levitt’s influence can still be seen in the work of many contemporary photographers, who often cite her as an inspiration.

For photographers looking to learn from Levitt’s work, one of the most important lessons is to pay attention to the details of everyday life. Levitt was masterful at capturing the small moments that often go overlooked, and her photographs often reveal a deep understanding of human behavior. Her work also demonstrates the importance of patience and observation in street photography. Levitt was known to spend hours on the street, waiting for the perfect moment to capture a photograph.

In addition to her photographic work, Levitt was also an accomplished writer and teacher. She often wrote about the theory and practice of photography, and she taught photography classes at the New School in New York. Levitt’s influence can still be felt in the world of photography today, and her work continues to be celebrated for its ability to capture the everyday moments of life.

In Summary

Helen Levitt was a pioneering photographer who is widely credited with being one of the founders of street photography. Her work focused on everyday life in New York City and she was highly influential in the development of the genre. Levitt’s photography has been celebrated for its ability to capture everyday moments, often with a sense of humor and wit. Her work has been widely exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and her influence can still be seen in the work of many contemporary photographers. For photographers looking to learn from Levitt’s work, some of the key lessons include paying attention to the details of everyday life and the importance of patience and observation.

Helen Levitt Wikipedia Page
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