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17-Year-Old Stanley Kubrick’s Photos Of 1940s New York Prove That He Was Born Genius
Before Stanley Kubrick directed arguably some of the best movies ever made like "2001: Space Odyssey" or "The Shining," he was a simple teenager in New York looking for a job. But even then, when the 17-year-old got his hands on a photo camera, he couldn't hide the talent within.
Bored Panda has gathered a collection of his photos of New York from 1945 to 1950, when he was working in the Look magazine. During that time Stanley got many insights into what makes a photograph work: "I think aesthetically recording spontaneous action, rather than carefully posing a picture, is the most valid and expressive use of photography."
He quickly made a name for himself by telling stories through photos, which eventually led him to moving pictures and his place in the filmmakers' hall of fame.
Oh, and if you're into street photography as well, let Stanley himself give you a tip: "Think up ideas for stories, go out and shoot them, and then send them into the magazines. I was lucky; I figured that out when I was young."
(h/t: vintage everyday)
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Walking The Streets Of New York, 1946
Student At Columbia University, 1948
Wow! Amazing! The picture and girl is amazing! Also I would probably fall on the first step.
Girl With A Lipstick, 1940
While learning to walk, how many times did you fall? Did you give up and hate walking? Tennyson-5...f351a0.jpg
Couple Sleeping In A Subway Car, 1940s
Couple, 1940
High Wire Act, 1948
Great shot! He really had an eye for angles! Wow! Done with only the equipment ready by then. Wow!
Shoe Shine Boy, 1940
Dogs In A Convertible, 1949
Self Portrait With Showgirl Rosemary Williams, 1948
People On Escalators In A Subway Station, 1940
Young Girl At Palisades Amusement Park, 1946
I'd love to know if these people are still around and are aware that they're now being looked at by complete strangers in a completely different world to the one they were depicted in.
Laboratory At Columbia University, 1948
Couple Playing Footsies On A Subway, 1946
Shoe Shine Boy, 1940
Betsy Von Furstenberg, 1949
He really captured her. I'm wondering what she's reading and imagining her personality.
Girl With Dolls, 1947
Students Drawing A Nude Model In An Art Class, 1948, Columbia University
Drawing a nude, one of the least sexy things you could ever do. It can be amazingly difficult
Circus Side Show Performer, 1948
Shoe Shine Boys (On Fence), 1947
He found the people that others overlooked. I love his shoeshine boys.
Changing The Tire, 1946
Showgirls At The Copacabana Club, 1948
Shoe Shine Boy, Portrait Of Mickey, 1947
Men Sleeping In A Subway Car, 1946
Police Athletic League Boxing, 1946
Passengers In A Subway Car, 1940s
He had quite the eye for everyday hustle and bustle of life. Awesome. Used photography to new stuff early in, not just portraits and "pretty stuff", but reality! Coooool
Johnny On The Spot, 1946
Rosemary Williams At A Restaurant With Two Men
Doorman Walking Dog, 1949
Shoe Shine Boy, 1940
Women In A Subway Car, 1946
Shoe Shine Boys (Vendor), 1947
Girls, 1940
Passengers In A Subway Car, 1940s
Man Carrying Flowers On A Crowded Subway, 1946
The little girl is the main subject on this pocture, nit the man carrying flowers
Passengers Reading In A Subway Car, 1946
Why isn't there a gentleman giving up his seat for the ladies? Isn't this the era for that?
Waiting At The Dentist’s Office
One of the most feared people in the professional world is without a doubt the dentist. It's one thing that never seems to change. :D
Painter Tying Rope Around The Model's Waist, 1947
Shoe Shine Boy, 1940
Film Crew, 1947
Guy Lombardo On A Dock, 1947-1948
Woman Watching Model Being Painted For The Billboard, 1947
Woman Waiting On A Subway Platform, 1940s
Shoe Shine Boys, 1947
Man Studying In A Library, 1948, Columbia University
Woman On The Train Platform, 1948
Men With German Shepherd On A Dock, 1949
Woman Waiting On A Subway Platform, 1946
Kubrick really was amazing with those long shots. I.e. Paths of Glory
At An Outdoor Cafe With A Woman, 1948
Johnny Grant, 1946
General Dwight D. Eisenhower At Columbia University, 1948
Passengers In A Subway Car, 1946
Passengers In A Subway Car, 1946
Girl With A Mirror, 1940
Audience Waiting In Line To Get Into A Recording Of "grand Slam"
Mens Fashion Show, 1948
Woman Knitting On A Subway, 1946
Couple In A Subway Car, 1940s
Man By A Garbage Can
Circus Woman With Rollerskating Monkey, 1948
Boxer Walter Cartier, 1948
Man Exiting Train, 1948
Is that the classy woman from the chair on the platform in an earlier photo?
Rocky Graziano Talking To A Policeman On A Street
Passengers In A Subway Car, 1946
People Browsing Through Magazine Racks At A Busy Sidewalk Newsstand, 1947
Walter Cartier Drinking A Beverage, 1948
Passengers In A Subway Car, 1946
Rocky Graziano With Two Men By A Sign For The Middleweight Championship Fight Between Tony Zale And Marcel Cerdan
Women Walking Near The Train, 1948
Passengers In A Subway Car, 1946
Man Carrying Flowers On A Crowded Subway, 1946
What I find so enlightening about Mr. Kubrick's early photography is that he was able to successfully balance the subjects with lessons in life that are always worth following. His ability to tell a story with even the most simple subject enabled him to bring this to the screen as a great director.
Do not see that depth of meaning in this selection. Most are still lifes and landscapes with adept management of available light.
Load More Replies...A Great Director and a really GREAT Photographer!!!! I miss him very much.....
What I find so enlightening about Mr. Kubrick's early photography is that he was able to successfully balance the subjects with lessons in life that are always worth following. His ability to tell a story with even the most simple subject enabled him to bring this to the screen as a great director.
Do not see that depth of meaning in this selection. Most are still lifes and landscapes with adept management of available light.
Load More Replies...A Great Director and a really GREAT Photographer!!!! I miss him very much.....