Remembering Elliott Erwitt, a Photographer I Admired, Who Has Passed Away

Hello, I am incompetent.

The Elliott Erwitt I admired in my memories long ago passed away last year on November 29, 2023, so I will write about him here.

When I was a high school student, I aimed to become a photographer and lived a life running around live houses with my EOS 80D.

In a certain memorable coffee shop I still visit occasionally, placed alongside a Bob Dylan photo book, was a photo book overflowing with smiles.

That was Elliott Erwitt's photo book.

He mainly photographed slightly humorous pictures, love, and animals, and I loved all his photos that had happiness and wit.

On the other hand, the ones where he occasionally photographed only his own shadow reflecting himself made me feel a little lonely. Perhaps it was a time of solitude.

Small Joys of Everyday Life

Something that can make you smile a little just by looking at it is something that makes you feel happy.

Because I liked Elliott Erwitt so much, I naturally came to like taking pictures of people.

Even now, when digital photography allows us to take as many pictures as we want, considering the expensive film back then, did the act of taking everyday photos mean dedicating that much of one's life?

The Domesticity and Familiarity in His Photo Books

Although not released as works, family photos also remained in the photo book, including a 311 band T-shirt worn by a family grandchild. Since I was listening to 311 at the time, when I felt that these kinds of people wore it, I, being a silly person, somehow felt a sense of closeness.

In that way, admiring Elliott Erwitt, that was my past self who had the opportunity to exhibit my photos in a coffee shop in 2019.

Sorry, there's no punchline.

Well then.