13.11.12

Eleanor

Callahan left almost no written records—no diaries, letters, scrapbooks or teaching notes. 
His technical photographic method was to go out almost every morning, walk the city he lived in and take numerous pictures.

Callahan met his future wife—Eleanor Knupp on a blind date in 1933. At that time she was a secretary at Chrysler Motors in Detroit and he was a clerk. They married three years later. In 1950 their daughter Barbara was born. 

He photographed his wife and daughter and the streets, scenes and buildings of cities where he lived, showing a strong sense of line and form, and light and darkness.

From 1948 to 1953 Eleanor, and sometimes Barbara, were shown out in the landscape as a tiny counterpoint to large expanses of park, skyline or water.



 
Aix-en-Provence, Francee, 1958


 
Aix-en-Provence, Francee, 1958


 Chicago, 1954



 ...To be a photographer, one must photograph. No amount of book learning, no checklist of seminars attended, can substitute for the simple act of making pictures. Experience is the best teacher of all. And for that, there are no guarantees that one will become an artist. Only the journey matters...
(Harry Callahan) 



 1953


 Chicago, 1951


 Chicago, 1949


Figure, 1948



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