Alfred Eisenstaedt -
Alfred started working his free-lance career for Pacific and Atlantic Photos’ Berlin office in 1928, that was taken over by Associated Press in 1931. Then he immigrated to America in 1935, then he worked for Life Magazine. His photos appeared in Life Magazine. Most of his photos were very “in the moment”. They captured the little moments in life that most people over-look. Alfred perfected many techniques. He won many awards, such as, the National Medal of the Arts award, which was presented to him by President George Bush in 1989 in a ceremony on the White House lawn.
Why Alfred Eisenstaedt?
I chose Alfred because looking at his pictures made me want to learn more about him. He has an interesting background and photo style. He captures the values of reality. His photos are very real and realistic. I like that his portrait portrays him as a man who was loving and fun to be around. When he immigrated to America his work was very much appreciated. He didn’t have to change anything about his style, either. He’s a very down to earth, and original photographer.
Marilyn Monroe, 1953
“When I photographed Marilyn Monroe, I mixed up my cameras - one had black-and-white film, the other color. I took many pictures. Only two color ones came out all right. My favorite picture of Marilyn hangs always on the wall in my office. It was taken on the little patio of her Hollywood house.”
John F. Kennedy and his daughter, Caroline, at home in Hyannisport, Massachusetts, 1960. This is one of the many photos that Alfred took of JFK. This is when he had been chosen the Democratic candidate for president. He and Caroline posed happily even though she had just stuck chewing gum on his freshly pressed pants. This photo to me shows how friendly and easy going Alfred was with his subjects.
A solder’s feet, Ethiopia, 1935 - Before Mussolini’s attack in Ethiopia, Eisenstaedt took this shot of the Emperor’s soldiers on maneuvers. The close-up tells the whole story of a barefoot army. This photo is interesting to me because there is so much detail that you can feel the hurt of those feet. You can sense that the path those feet have walked has not been a smooth one. To my each crack in that foot shows a different battle the feet have dealt with.
Children follow the Drum Major at the University of Michigan, 1950.
“Another picture I hope to be remembered by is this one of the drum major rehearsing at the University of Michigan. It was early in this morning, and I saw a little boy running after him, all the faculty children in the playing field ran after the boy, and I ran after them. This is a completely spontaneous, unstaged picture.” -Alfred Eisenstaedt. I see a drummer running through a fenced in yard with little children following him. I enjoy this picture because it’s goofy, but unique. This photo is creative and fun.
V-J Day in Times Square, New York City, 1945.
Alfred’s style of photography was unstaged. This photo was taken after Alfred saw a sailor running along the street grabbing every girl in sight. He was running ahead of the sailor with his camera, while still looking over his shoulder. When he saw the sailor grabbing something white, he turned around and clicked the pictures as the sailor was kissing the nurse. I enjoy this picture because when I first saw this picture I saw something completely different than the background information tells. I thought someone was coming home from a war. This picture to me is elegant, but simple.
Interesting Facts About Alfred:
- He was called “the father of photojournalism” because he perfected photo techniques.
- His first camera, an Eastman Kodak Folding Camera with roll film, was given to him when he was 14.
- In 1935 he immigrated to America and became one of the original staff photographers for Life Magazine.
- Alfred’s famous picture of VJ Day started when he saw a sailor running up to every women he saw and kissing her, but the moment he saw the man kiss the nurse Alfred snapped the picture. He said, “People tell me that when I am in heaven they will remember this picture.”
