Helen Levitt (1913–2009)

introductory essay by james agee, this is a "definitive new edition" of the 1965 book published in 1981 "with a corrected text and 24 additional photographs". gorgeous. street life in new york. a bit of the feel of walker evans and even of art shay's chicago photography .. what distinguishes levitt for me is her focus on the women and children .. though there are men too. its choice of shot and moment of the day. urban life captured in words and pictures.

This might be the most perfect book of street photography bar none. Both the book itself and the picture exude quality and class.

The opening of episode 7 of New York: A Documentary Film featured clips from a 1948 film entitled In the Street. This movie captured images of ordinary people in the streets of upper Manhattan and was quite moving in capturing the place and time. I looked for the film without success but did find this book by the cinematographer, Crosstown (2001) by Helen Levitt.

The oversize book features Levitt's photos of street scenes in New York from the 1930's & 40's as well as from 1959 to the present. show more The photos are evocative in their ordinariness. They are also often funny. The later photos remind me of the New York City of my childhood while the earlier photos give a peek at the New York of my parents' generation. Great stuff.

The work of Helen Levitt is online at:

Helen Levitt (Stephen Daiter Gallery)

Helen Levitt Crosstown (Laurence Miller Gallery)

Helen Levitt's Indelible Eye (NPR, Jan. 17, 2002)

Helen Levitt: New York Streets 1938 to 1990s (lens culture)

Helen Levitt's Photos Of Kids And Their Street Art (daddytypes.com)

Masters of Photography - Helen Levitt (youtube) show less