Dive into 1940s New York through the lens of the legendary film director Stanley Kubrick.

Long before he became the legendary filmmaker behind iconic movies like The Shining, Eyes Wide Shut, and 2001: A Space Odyssey, Stanley Kubrick was a young photographer living and working in New York City. Born and raised in the Bronx, Stanley developed a passion for photography at a young age when his father gifted him a Graflex camera. His neighbor, who also loved photography, had a darkroom where they would spend hours shooting and developing their own film.

As his interest in photography grew, Stanley joined his school's photography club, eventually becoming the official school photographer. This role allowed him to shoot school events for the school magazine, further honing his already impressive skills. His talent caught the eye of Look magazine, leading to a series of freelance assignments that eventually turned into an apprenticeship and then a full-time job with the publication.

Kubrick quickly became known for his ability to tell compelling stories through his photographs. During his tenure at Look, he documented everyday life in New York City, capturing both grand narratives and intimate moments. His love for boxing led him to document matches for the magazine, with one of his earliest and most notable works being a photo series on boxer Walter Cartier and the events leading up to a fight. One of these photos is featured below. He also photographed numerous celebrities of the time, including the famed singer Frank Sinatra.

During his time at Look, Stanley's obsession with filmmaking grew, an interest that stemmed from his deep love for photography. This obsession eventually led him to make his first short film. Fueled by his newfound passion, he decided to leave his career at Look magazine and embark on a journey that would ultimately make him a Hollywood legend.

Stanley Kubrick's transition from photography to filmmaking marked the beginning of an extraordinary career that would leave an indelible mark on the world of cinema. His unique eye for detail and storytelling, developed through years of photography, would become the foundation of his visionary films.

All images courtesy of Museum of the City of New York. We would highly recommend checking out the full gallery here.

If you want to read more on the famous filmmaker and photographer, there is a great interactive site you can check out here.⬅️

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