Biography

Elliott Erwitt was born in Paris in 1928, studied photography at Los Angeles City College and worked in a photo lab during the Second World War. In 1948, he moved to New York City to study film at the New York School for Social Research. In the same year, he met renowned photographers Edward Steichen and Robert Capa. In 1953, Erwitt began working for MAGNUM Photos. One year later, he had already become a full member of the agency. In 1966, Elliott Erwitt was named president of MAGNUM photos and held this position for
three terms.

Since 1970, he has made several films as well. Eliott Erwitt became known primarily for the mischievous humor of his subjects photographed in black and white. As an avowed dog fan, man’s four-legged-friends play a prominent role in his photographic work.