Remembering Elliott Erwitt (1928–2023)

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Elliott Erwitt in the lounge of his Central Park residence in entrance of a photograph from high quality artwork photographer Andre S. Solidor (a.ok.a. Elliott Erwitt)
As a highschool photographer thirsting for information, I got here throughout a beautiful sequence of books from the Masters of Modern Images. I began with ‘The Personal Expertise by Elliott Erwitt’, studying it cover-to-cover, fastidiously finding out the pictures. It confirmed me that pictures could make the viewer really feel a reference to the individual in entrance of the lens. Elliott’s dry wit carried by to his pictures uncanny potential to share fun along with his topics helped form the way in which I noticed the world by a digital camera.
Little did I do know on the time that years later, Elliott would develop into my pal.
I met Elliott due to an introduction by our mutual pal Kayla Lindquist. The Inventive Coalition was organising shoots of Harry Belafonte and Matthew Modine for ‘Artwork & Soul: Stars Unite to Have a good time and Help the Arts’ shot in partnership with The Inventive Coalition and Sony. Kayla requested if I’d prefer to {photograph} Elliott for the e-book. My reply was a powerful Y-E-S! How typically do you get an opportunity to fulfill your idol?
The e-book featured portraits of Oscar and Emmy-winning actors and Grammy-winning musicians. Elliott was one of many few photographers who may maintain his personal amongst them.
From my first shoot of Elliott Erwitt for the e-book ‘Artwork and Soul’ at Milk Studios New York
Whereas the pictures captured his quirky character, I didn’t really feel they correctly mirrored his legendary stature. I requested if we may give it one other attempt to he stated sure. On our appointed day, my spouse and I packed up our gear and backdrop and headed to Erwitt’s studio on Central Park West.
Elliott Erwitt on the entrance of his New York studio & workplace
Elliott Erwitt holds the 4×5 Graflex Tremendous D he used to shoot his iconic picture of the solid of ‘The Misfits’ alongside along with his well-worn Leica.

It’s all the time a great day when you possibly can sit on the ft of a Grasp!
Kayla Lindquist and Elliott Erwitt
We had a beautiful time at our second shoot. Hopefully that reveals within the photographs. From that time on, Elliott welcomed me as pal – presumably as a result of we shared the identical dry humorousness however extra possible, he appreciated my humility to confess I may do higher than our first shoot. I by no means quizzed him about his well-known photographs, we simply preferred making one another chortle.
Elliott joined my writer Dorothee Walliser in my Miami Seaside studio for the primary edit of ‘Artwork & Soul: Stars Unite to Have a good time and Help the Arts’
Whereas he was at our e-book edit, I let Elliott chews his photograph for ‘Artwork & Soul: Stars Unite to Have a good time and Help the Arts’
Elliott Erwitt in ‘Artwork & Soul: Stars Unite to Have a good time and Help the Arts’
Throughout Elliott’s go to, we had TWO unique Elliott Erwitt’s in our Miami Seaside house.
Over the following years, I’d cease by to see Elliott in his studio or house. My spouse Fazia and I might be part of him for dinner or as his visitor at his museum exhibit openings. He’d come to events at our Tribeca residence though he thought of it to be situated in New Jersey based mostly on the journey time from the Higher West aspect.
In 2015, Elliott returned from taking pictures in Havana, Cuba the place they honor his birthday with an enormous celebration yearly…
I finished by to go to Elliott at his workplace in 2019 when he sported a really distinguished beard

Elliott was a rarity amongst photographers: one who didn’t like to speak about himself. Writers who profiled him will inform you that Elliott wasn’t a simple interview. He most popular his photographs communicate for themself. Anybody in search of perception into his life ought to try Elliott Erwitt: House Across the World. Specializing in his life and profession, the writers and editor of the e-book managed to pry many never-before-told tales out of Elliott.

Try the Elliott Erwitt Bookstore on Amazon:

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