Elliott Erwitt  (American, 1928) 

Elliott Erwitt (American, b. July 26, 1928) is a respected photographer, who is known for his unusual black-and-white images. Erwitt's parents were Russian immigrants, and he spent much of his youth in Italy. When the artist was 10 years old, his family moved back to France, where they lived for two years before heading to America. He attended Hollywood High School and worked as a darkroom processor.

In 1949, he moved back to Europe, where he traveled and took photographs. Erwitt was drafted into the United States Army in 1951, and continued taking photographs while stationed in New Jersey, Germany, and France. After his service was complete, the photographer settled in New York. Erwitt was mentored by Edward Steichen (American, 1879–1973) and Roy Stryker (American, 1893–1975), who appreciated his work. In 1953, Robert Capa (Hungarian, 1913–1954) invited the young artist to join Magnum Photos. Erwitt eventually served three terms as president of the agency, and continues to be an active member. He started his career as a freelance photographer, and worked for top magazines such as Look, Life, and Holiday. He loves dogs, and they became the subject of many of his photos. One black-and-white piece is simply titled Dog, and features a small dog in a sweater standing at the feet of a woman wearing strappy sandals. Many of Erwitt’s photographs are infused with his sense of humor. Dog Show features four individuals watching a dog competition. Between two of these individuals, a large poodle stands on its hind legs and appears to be enjoying the show.

Erwitt has filmed several documentaries, including Beauty Knows No Pain and Red, White, and Bluegrass. In the 1980s, he worked for Home Box Office and produced 17 comedy programs. He continued his photography career and published several books. Son of Bitch, Dog Dogs, and Woof all feature canines as the main subject matter. His photographs have been featured at the Paul Smith Gallery in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Erwitt lives and works in New York, NY, and continues to travel.