Steve Schapiro
has chronicled some of the most iconic moments and personalities in American history over a career spanning more than five decades. Schapiro embodies the essence of old-school photojournalism, beginning his career during the Golden Age of Photojournalism, represented by magazines like LIFE and LOOK.
Inspired by the philosophy of The Decisive Moment, Schapiro adopted Cartier Bresson's view that a good photograph has three basic elements: emotion, design, and information. Under the mentorship of renowned photojournalist W. Eugene Smith, he mastered the technical aspects of the craft.
Schapiro's approach to photography emphasizes capturing moments that transcend mere portraits, aiming to evoke a sense of the time and place. From his early days as a freelance photojournalist during the Civil Rights movement to his later collaborations with prominent publications like LIFE, Rolling Stone, TIME, and Newsweek, Schapiro's work serves as a visual chronicle of American history, offering a peculiar reflection of the people and events that have left their mark on the America's collective consciousness.
Then and Now
Schapiro's Then and Now offers a broad selection from his extensive repertoire. Featuring previously unpublished photographs, the book provides a fresh perspective on his lesser-known works.
Who
is in the picture? Woody Allen, David Bowie, Francis Ford Coppola, Johnny Depp, Jodie Foster, Aretha Franklin, Sophia Loren, René Magritte, Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman, John Huston, Michael Jackson, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Nico, Paul Newman, Roman Polanski, Otto Preminger, Robert Redford, Robert Rauschenberg, Diana Ross, Ike Turner, Tina Turner, Andy Warhol, Orson Welles, Frank Zappa.
The copy
Steve Schapiro, Then and Now. Ostfildern: Hatje Cantz, 2012. Hardcover, 240 pp. First edition, first printing. Contains 125 duotone and 46 full color photographs.
Its condition
Near fine.