Elliott Erwitt – Most Popular Photographs

Elliott Erwitt is an American documentary photographer who is very well known for his satirical humor and wit, coming from all his ironic images. Moreover, he says, about his work, the most important thing is to see things and to have the ability to organize them in a picture. The trick is to react with humanity and a sense of humor combined, and hopefully, this will happen spontaneously. One of his biggest inspirations is dogs. We can see them in most of his images in different aspects. They are even a leading subject in five of his books. No matter what his work represents, realistic or surreal situations, monotonous or fanciful people, they are all unique and give joy to the eye or deep thoughts to the mind. Let's learn more about Elliott Erwitt's life and look at his most famous and iconic photographs of all time.

Biography and Career

Elio Romano Erwitt (known as Elliott Erwitt) is born on 26th July 1928 in Paris, France, to Jewish-Russian immigrant parents. When he turned 10, his family moved to the USA, and as a young teenager living, in Hollywood, he developed an interest in photography. First, Erwitt started working for a commercial darkroom and then continued his education at Los Angeles City College. Then in 1948-50, he studied at New School for Social Research in New York. After finishing his education, Elliott started as a freelance photographer, but his success came when he returned from military service in 1953. Roy Stryker at the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey employed him as a staff photographer. In the next ten years, much of his work had published in many viral American magazines. He publishes and actively takes part in the work of the Magnum Photos agency. And in 1966, he already services there as both officer and a president. Throughout his career, he directed several movies, traveled a lot with his Rolleiflex camera, and took amazing shots. Erwitt personally shooted many public figures such as Merilyn Monroe, Richard Nixon, and Marlon Brando. Elliott has over 25 published books and many awards and solo exhibitions. He created his own pompous alter ego called "André S. Solidor" (which abbreviates to "ass"). Even though his photos are black and white, he is a very charming and colorful personality with an entertaining sense of humor.

1. California Kiss, Santa Monica, CA, 1955

California Kiss is the most popular photo from Elliott. It represents a car parked near the sea and beautiful sunset as the background of the image. As a reflection on the car's mirror, we can see a gentle kiss between one lovely couple. That is how one casual moment could turn into a piece of art with just the good abstract focus and an eye for small detail. The story of the picture can be interpreted differently depending on the eyes of the watcher. That the stunning part of his work because everyone can find themselves in some way.

2. Mother and Child, New York City, 1953

On the focus are a woman and her newborn baby, who are Elliott's wife and child. Sharing such an intimate moment reveals his passion for shooting people at their daily basics and moods. He sees beauty in the ordinary gives a chance to the audience to make it extraordinary for them, in their minds. All good images happen spontaneously with no false posing or reshooting the cadre. To be in the right place at the right time is the key to Erwitt's art and with a camera underarm. Every situation is outstanding for the talented eyes to see beauty in everything.

3. Felix, Gladys, and Rover, New York City, 1974

Elliott Erwitt, as we know, is famous for his addiction to photographing dogs in all breeds, situations, and aspects. In that image, we have a booted woman between two super different from each other dogs - Great Dane and Chihuahua. That is one joyful photo shooted maybe in one regular daily walk. A picture with no deep meanings, no specific messages to the viewers just for entertainment. Art comes in all forms and shapes.

4. Chihuahua, New York City, 1946

Here we have one cheerful cadre of tiny chihuahua standing next to a woman. The situation could be seen as a comparison between the dog and human's leg. In some or another way, he captured two of the main themes in his artwork: street-styled photography mixed with his favorite dogs. A small detail in the photography is the smile over the chihuahua's face that makes the audience smile back. Details captured in the right moment give life to the images. Make the spectators to feels like they were also there like they were part of the experience represented in the shot.

5. Dog Jumping, Paris, France, 1989

This picture is a masterpiece of instant photography. Elliott managed to shoot the dog just at the right moment when it is jumping. Here we have one more joyful photo with a cute white doggie with black ears, and maybe it's human on a walk. Again we have combined two of his favorites, and the main focus is on the dog. The visible part of the man is only the feet. The image had taken in Paris on one of Erwitt's travels. The fact that the picture was made so spontaneously makes it so entertaining to watch.

6. A Man and His Dogs, New York City, 2000

The beauty here is in simplicity. On the focus are a man and his two bulldogs just sitting on the stairs and chilling out. That photography had determined as Elliott's typical street photography style with a center of attention - the dogs. Once more, we have an everyday situation, but with the perfect focus, the result is a fabulous image. Even if the audience takes a deep look at the photo, you can see the illusion. The sitting dog on the human's lap is like half of the body is human's, and the other is doggie's.

7. Nikita Khrushchev and Richard Nixon, Moscow, Russia, USSR, 1959

That's one maybe is the most iconic photography in Elliott's career. It is the time of the Cold War, and we see how Nixon is popping his finger to Nikita's chest. The story behind the picture is interesting. He was hired to work on a commercial assignment over the case, but when he has to take the photo of the USA Vice President and Nikita Khrushchev is a crowd everywhere around them. But he was in the right place at the right time. Erwitt situated himself in the kitchen behind the fence where there is nobody, and he is free to take the perfect shot.

8. Segregated Water Fountains, North Carolina, USA, 1950

Photo with a sad story behind it. It had taken in North Carolina, and at that time, there is a distinct separation between black and white people. Even without knowing how hard times were then, the photographer managed to present the situation. Watching it from the present point of view, you can see how much things have changed. Elliott took that photo on purpose because he knew it tells itself a story. Through his art can reach more people and give loudness to the problem. People's segregation is unfair, and everybody is equal - the motive of the image.

9. Umbrella Jump, Paris, France, 1989

The photography tells us a love story in the most romantic city in the world - his born town, Paris. But it's a different one, represented through Elliott's point of view. He is breaking typical cliches, and the jumping man with an umbrella is impressive detail to the whole picture. We observe the author's skills to shoot the moment. His photos speak for Erwitt's talent in photography. Instead of typical sugary images of kissing or hugging couples all over the city of love, he presents it in such an innovative and original way - totally in his style.

10. Empire State Building, New York City, 1955

At first sight, it's very plain and dull photography, with nothing special in it. But simply, it's revealing the beauty of New York's icon - the Empire State Building. The woman that is staring at the skyscraper makes you feel like you are at her place. Like you are there and enjoying the view. This feeling is the effect of quality art. Elliott successfully hands over to the audience a whole bunch of emotions with every single piece of his artwork. Simple but influential is the best way to describe the image.

11. Marilyn Monroe, New York, 1954 and 1956

Elliott shooted many famous people during his career, but the most emblematic photos of a public figure are Marilyn Monroe's. The most popular hers photos made by him are a portrait and posing on the red carpet. The close-faced image is with an accent of Monroe's beautiful lines. The other one, she is wearing the pretty white dress that everyone remembers as her trademark. Modeling and posing for shooting is untypical for him, but he copes with that task more than excellent. However, the red carpet's photo still has the element of spontaneousness and capturing the right moment when she waves her gown.

Elliott's unadulterated eye for details and talent to capture everyday moments in the right second to create iconic photographs are remarkable. The main themes in his creativity are dogs, street photography, and the life of ordinary people. The selected images above are the best examples of his work. He shares that the great trick is patience, to wait the right moment, and the skill to isolate with the lens certain parts of the whole picture to capture those surreal photographs. Some of Elliott Erwitt’s photographs and others great photographer's images you can find on grainsalive.com. The site is a virtual gallery showing one of the most popular history photographers. There you can upload and share your favorite photos with others and look around what users post.