Magnum Blog / The Imagemakers

The Imagemakers

Magnum’s reputation is not just based on extraordinary photography. What distinguishes the members of the photoagency, which was founded in 1947, is character. The legendary Magnum photographers Elliott Erwitt and Burt Glinn talk about moments of opportunity, courage, independence – and humor. This interview was conducted by Pia Frankenberg in December 2006 and was first published in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in January 2007. USA. New York. Dance School. 1977. The image is from part of a photo story about "upper class" children getting dancing lessons and being taught the "social graces". © Elliott Erwitt/Magnum Photos Pia Frankenberg: Since when do you two know each other? Burt Glinn: We first met in 1952 or ´53 I guess. Elliott Erwitt: In the morning, I think. BG: We got introduced and I said to somebody "what's so good about Erwitt?" (grins) I am actually still asking myself that. PF: When did you join Magnum? BG: Roughly around the same time, I guess. EE: ´53 BG: Magnum wasn't a very large organization then. It was... - (turns to Elliott) Oh, by the way, Marc Riboud called the other day and said he'd come across a treasure trove of letters from Henri (Cartier-Bresson, Magnum founding member) to him that he is going to edit and maybe make a book of it. EE: Really? BG: He said he didn't know if certain photogaphers would like to have Henri's opinion on record and I said it's okay with me (grins). Anyway ... I came to New York in ´53 because the Queen was going on a world tour. I don't know whether Elliott did anything on that but I know Eve Arnold did Bermuda or Jamaica and I did one of the Caribbean Islands, too, and that's when I got to know some of the older Magnum people. And then, when Bob and Werner were killed (Robert Capa, Magnum founding member, was killed by a landmine in Indochina and Werner Bischof, a member since 1949, died nine days earlier in a car accident in Peru) we all sort of got together a lot in New York. For one of the most painful funeral services that I ever attended. Do you remember that? For Bob? EE: Yeah. 1954. May 25th. I remember that because it was my fathers's birthday. BG: That's when I met Chim (David Seymour, Magnum founding member) for the first time. Elena Glinn: I think Burt was talking about ´52 before. The queen was covered in ´52. BG: That's right. PF: Do you mean the boat "The Queen" or the Queen? EG: The Queen. EE: There's only one queen. BG: Oh, I don't know! EE: There's only one queen and, huh, what's his name... it's ... BG: Elton John. EE:.... he did "My fair Lady". He did the costumes for that. BG: Oh... Cecil Beaton. EE: Cecil Beaton! That's the queen. PF: Do you remember any assignments that you worked on together? BG: In the early days we both worked a lot for Holiday Magazine. We worked together on an issue on Rome. We were a very strange group of photographers there. Henri and Elliott and Slim Arons and Arnold Newman... EE: Actually the ususal suspects. BG: ... and I remember, the government of Italy was so pleased to have a special issue on Rome that they gave what was the Italian equivalent of the Legion of Honor to the editors of Holiday Magazine. I guess we also worked together on the Krushchev tour of America.

Paul Hardy Carter

Thanks for posting this - a delight. A good example of why Magnum is so precious to so many of us.

Jean-Sébastien Breault

Thank for this great interview between two greats photographers.

David Lauer

I, too, enjoyed the interview, though the reflections about market and its impact on the human spirit are disturbing, on the one hand, and a challenge, on the other, to those of us who still want to live and work in a world where solidarity and the defense of the common good are cherished values. I agree with you, LIsa, that the most important balance to strike is between ambition and humanity. Without some form of ambition, it´s hard to get anything done, but when humanity is the driving force behind that ambition, the results are profound, moving, and memorable.
So, how could we construct our own alternative structures that respect artistic individuality while participating in the greater whole? Spaces like Lightstalkers are a good starting point, but what then?

Just thinking out loud . . . Collective actions like the 100 eyes in New Orleans are also interesting propositions, but what else could be done?

Lea Kast

A truly great and funny read. Mr. Glinn and Mr. Erwitt seem to be very interesting and outgoing characters. Thank you for posting!

John Vink

David,

One alternative is the one I propose in Khmer Chronicles Nr8 on this same blog... It's not the ultimate. But it gets some things done...

gene x hwang

Thanks for this great interview. Erwitt is one of the folks who's work really inspires me and it's great to get more insight into his and Glinn's experiences.

Supreet Sethi

So many stories one can just read in these pictures. Great interview. Just love the 'kid with the pistol' picture.

marian froehlich

Fantastic interview with a lot of insights into creative imaginative photographers. The best thing is their sense of humor - a way of stepping back with a perspective. Luck is knowing what you see, not just being there.

Also, I enjoyed the history - A fun read.