Famous+Photographer

Helen Levitt (August 31-1913- March 29 2009)

1.) Helen Levitt was born in Brooklyn, New York where she dropped out of high school at a young age and taught herself photography. She also taught art to children in 1937. She was well known for street photography in New York City and had many published photographs but wasn't very well known in her time. She photographed many children and had major shows in the 1960's. She died at the age of 95. In the late 1940's she made two documentary films called "The Quiet One" and "In the Street". From these two documentaries she was honoured with an Academy Award nomination for The Quiet One. She took film photography for over 25 years. At the end of her career she was the editor for a documentary called " The End of an Old Song" in 1972. Her photography was often viewed as "quiet" yet poetic and full of humour. She portrayed her subjects of women, men, and children living in the streets with a honest way of looking at it. Nothing really seemed staged.

2.) She seemed to have one influence, Henri Cartier-Bresson who she met and acknowledged him photography greatly. He also was a documentary photographer which is what Helen is know for also her street photography and still photos.

3.) Her major genre would follow under the documentary and portrait side. Helen documented people living in New York City and there day to day lifestyles. This including children, seniors, and adults most seemed as though they didn't know they were going to be in a picture just because nothing was posed or set up for her photography.

4.)  What design elements are apparent? In this photo there is a good use of rule of thirds having to do with the elderly people and the bright blue car. Helen in most of her older pictures never used colour only black and white so seeing all the vibrant colours make this photo stick out from the rest. Why is this a good representation of this photographers work? Within this photo you can tell it wasnt staged along with all of her other pictures because the people are looking down and not at the camera. This photo is a good represetantion from her collection " The End of An Old Song." Describe the use of light. In this photo there is many shadows showing it was quite sunny the day it was taken. Also there is some dark alleys hidden but the lighting highlights the main objects in the photo.

 W hat design elements are apparent? In this photo rule of thirds is present with the little boys in the top left corner. Framing is also present with the archway and the metal door. Why is this a good representation of this photographers work? This shows more of Helens original work with boys on the street playing around. This photo being black and white proves that it was taken before the previous photo. This photo I believe was a film picture. Describe the use of light. The lighting is all pretty dim yet it still is bright enough to show all of kids playing and is very even lighting from top to bottom.

 What design elements are apparent? To list off a few principles would be the framing of the family, balance with the lighting and two people per side of the picture. Also you can tell they are all close and have some sort of element relationships. In this photo it seems it looks like they are looking onto the street at some form of a tragedy and they are all quite worried. Why is this a good representation of this photographers work? This photo would have been shot for the collection of either " The Quiet One" or : "In the Street". This family you can obviously tell were not posing for this photo because they are displaying fear and anxiety something they may not want everyone to see. Helen caught it in the right amount of time with all of the expressions all show the same sort of thing. Describe the use of light. It seems very dark and depressing which in a way compliments the expressions in the photo. White is the most vibrant color and it sticks out through the clothing. The sun from my opinion is coming from the right.

 What design elements are apparent? The use of colour is very appealing in this photo and the blues and oranges seem to compliment each other through the umbrella and the mail box and most importantly the blue shorts. The women seems to be having a conversation with this man as if she knows him. Yet this look could also be portrayed as a look of disgust and confusion as to why he is half naked walking the streets of New York. Why is this a good representation of this photographers work? Once again Helens photography is never staged the likelyhood of this man knowing that he is getting photographed is very slim. All of her pictures make you ask questions. Like why is this man half naked? What is this women saying to him? It all makes you think. Describe the use of light. The light is coming from the left direction you can tell this because of the shadow off of the stand the women is standing at. He is wearing shorts maybe making it a nice day out.



What design elements are apparent? Rule of thirds is present because both kids are not in the exact middle and the horizon is at the top corner. Balance is also present. I think that Helen had a purpose behind this photo and purposley took it because of the different races and how nothing seem divided at this time. Just two kids playing in the streets. Why is this a good representation of this photographers work? This photograph is most likely taken for the film " In the Street". Helen seemed to make this documentary mostly based around the kids and there form of entertainment. Describe the use of light. They seem to be in the shade because maybe it was a hot day but the light features all the important elements and highlights them.

Good detailed analysis of the artist and her images. 55/55