Monday, March 30, 2009

RIP Helen Levitt

Last night the decisive moment finally arrived for one of the all time great street photographers. This might be a good time to take one of her monographs down from your shelf and spend a while looking over the legacy of this remarkable woman. For someone who often operated without a net, an amazing number of her shots hit nothing but net.

No net. Nothing but net...Helen Levitt

3 comments:

wolf said...

Anyone who doesn't have one of Helen Levitt's books should go out and buy the last monograph, from powerhouse--it's an unbeatable collection of her color and black and white work.

Since I was a teenager, her images have subconsciously affected how I see fleeting moments on the street and elsewhere. They are true classics, such a blend of reality and poetry. In fact her images are so strong and personal, they often make me wonder if they are distant memories of my own.

It seems that a lot of great photographers are making it into their 90's--has there been a study on whether daily shooting can increase your lifespan?

Blake Andrews said...

Wait a minute, if your memories are her memories then that can only mean that...You're Helen Levitt?!

I think there must be something in those darkroom fumes that leads to longevity.

SR said...

recommend checking the slide show at : www.lensculture.com/levitt.html