Joel Meyerowitz
"Every street, every passerby, was a potential picture."
Joel Meyerowitz is an acclaimed American photographer, known for his pioneering work in color photography and his significant contributions to the genre of street photography. With a career spanning over five decades, Meyerowitz has captured the essence of everyday life and the changing urban landscape with a keen eye for detail, color, and light. His work has been exhibited and published widely, cementing his reputation as one of the most influential photographers of his generation.
Early Life and Career
Joel Meyerowitz was born in 1938 in the Bronx, New York. He studied art, medical illustration, and painting at Ohio State University and later pursued a career in advertising as an art director. His interest in photography began in 1962, when he encountered street photographer Robert Frank at work. Inspired by Frank's approach, Meyerowitz picked up a camera and began to explore the streets of New York City.
Meyerowitz initially worked in black and white but soon embraced color photography, which was still considered unconventional in the world of fine art photography. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, he worked alongside fellow photographers William Eggleston and Stephen Shore to champion the use of color in photography as an artistic medium.
Photographic Style and Techniques
Joel Meyerowitz's photographic style is characterized by its ability to capture the fleeting moments and subtle details of daily life. Key elements of his style and techniques include:
Color Photography: Meyerowitz was one of the early proponents of color photography in the realm of fine art. His vibrant, saturated colors bring his subjects to life and add a new dimension to his images.
Street Photography: Like his contemporaries Garry Winogrand and Lee Friedlander, Meyerowitz is known for his candid images of people in urban settings. He has a unique ability to capture the energy, humor, and beauty of everyday life on the streets.
Large Format Photography: In addition to his street photography, Meyerowitz has also worked with large format cameras to create highly detailed, large-scale images of landscapes and cityscapes.
Career Highlights
Some notable highlights from Joel Meyerowitz's illustrious career include:
His groundbreaking work in color photography, which helped to legitimize the use of color in fine art photography and paved the way for future generations of photographers.
A retrospective exhibition at the International Center of Photography in New York City in 1993, which showcased Meyerowitz's extensive body of work.
The publication of numerous books featuring his photography, including "Cape Light" (1978), "Wild Flowers" (1983), and "Aftermath: World Trade Center Archive" (2006).
Being the recipient of several prestigious awards, such as the Guggenheim Fellowship, the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, and the Royal Photographic Society's Centenary Medal.
Photography Gear
Throughout his career, Joel Meyerowitz has used a range of photography gear, including:
Cameras: Meyerowitz has primarily used Leica rangefinder cameras, such as the Leica M3 and M6, for his street photography. For his large format work, he has used cameras like the Deardorff 8x10.
Lenses: Meyerowitz has favored wide-angle lenses for his street photography, such as the 28mm and 35mm focal lengths, which allow him to capture the dynamic scenes of urban life.
Film: Meyerowitz has worked extensively with Kodak color film, particularly Kodachrome and Ektachrome, which are known for their rich color palette and fine detail.
Photography Books
"Joel Meyerowitz: How I Make Photographs" provides an in-depth look into Meyerowitz's creative process and techniques. Through personal anecdotes and examples of his work, the book offers valuable guidance and inspiration for photographers seeking to improve their craft and better understand the mind of a master photographer.
"Joel Meyerowitz: Where I Find Myself: A Lifetime Retrospective" offers a comprehensive look at the remarkable career of Joel Meyerowitz, showcasing his diverse body of work, including street photography, portraits, and landscapes. This retrospective provides valuable insights into the evolution of Meyerowitz's style and his creative journey, inspiring photographers to explore their own growth and development.
"Joel Meyerowitz: Cape Light" captures the stunning light and beauty of Cape Cod, revealing Meyerowitz's unique ability to bring out the subtleties of color and atmosphere in his work. This book offers inspiration for photographers interested in exploring the nuances of natural light and the power of color in their own images.
"Joel Meyerowitz: Redheads" is a fascinating exploration of Meyerowitz's fascination with redheads, showcasing his talent for capturing the essence of his subjects through color, light, and composition. This collection of portraits provides inspiration for photographers looking to develop their own unique approach to portraiture.
"Bystander: A History of Street Photography" is an essential read for anyone interested in the genre, offering a comprehensive overview of the history and evolution of street photography. Co-authored with Colin Westerbeck, this book features the work of numerous influential photographers, including Meyerowitz himself, and provides valuable insights and inspiration for photographers seeking to understand and develop their own style within the realm of street photography.
Quotes
"Photography is a response that has to do with the momentary recognition of things."
"You fill up the frame with feelings, energy, discovery, and risk, and leave room enough for someone else to get in there."
"The world was already in the condition of art, waiting to be noticed as such."
"I believed in the beauty of the fragment rather than the whole."
"Every street, every passerby, was a potential picture."
Legacy and Influence
Joel Meyerowitz's contributions to the world of photography are immense. As a pioneer of color photography, he has inspired countless photographers to explore the artistic potential of color in their work. His street photography has left a lasting impact on the genre, influencing a new generation of photographers who continue to document the urban experience in their own unique ways.
Meyerowitz's work has also served as a bridge between the past and present, connecting the traditions of photography with contemporary practices. By embracing both the classic medium of film and newer digital technologies, he has demonstrated the ongoing relevance and importance of photography as an art form.
Through his extensive body of work, teaching, and mentorship, Joel Meyerowitz has left an indelible mark on the photographic community and will continue to be remembered as one of the most influential photographers of his time.
