Peter Cripps Photography

It was with great sadness to hear that Elliott Erwitt, one of this and last century’s photographic greats, died last month at the age of 95.

Elliott Erwitt, who was born on July 26, 1928, in Paris, was an American photographer and filmmaker known for his candid and humorous black-and-white photographs. Erwitt’s work captured everyday moments and human interactions, showcasing a keen observational eye and a sense of irony.

Throughout his career, Erwitt produced a vast body of work, including street photography, portraits, and documentary photography. He became a member of Magnum Photos in 1953 and received numerous awards for his contributions to the field of photography throughout his life.

Some of his well-known photographs include the image of a couple kissing in the side mirror of a car, the images of Marilyn Monroe on the set of the movie “The Misfits”, his playful images of dogs. as well as his homage to Cartier Bresson’s “Behind the Gare Saint-Lazare”.Erwitt’s work has been exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide, and he has published several books showcasing his photography. His wit and unique perspective made him a unique figure in the world of documentary photography.

One of the things I loved about Erwitt was his unpretentiousness about photography. According to this obituary in The Guardian he disliked over-theoretical analysis and simply defined photography as “an art of observation” or “a biography of a moment”. He suggested that artistry lies in “finding something interesting in an ordinary place … I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”

Finding interest in ordinary places and things is something I strive to do. As one gets older and realises the fragility of life, and indeed our existence, this would seem to be a good philosophy for a photographer to follow.

Erwitt’s work can be viewed on his website here as well at the Magnum site here.