The legend of street and fashion photography: Who is William Klein?
The fact that he started street photography at a time when he was famous was considered surprising and even described as 'disgusting' in the magazine world. So much so that, in the companies he went to show his photographs, he was met with derogatory sentences such as 'they were of no use'.
American photographer William Klein, a pioneer of street photography and considered one of the most important living photographers, died in September 2022 at the age of 96.
Artist Klein brought many revolutionary innovations to the shooting techniques, framing, stacking, and composition concepts of the 1950s, which were revolutionary for those days. He deeply influenced the generation that came after him with his photographs, which do not rely solely on documentation but contain striking, exciting, and sometimes even disturbing elements.
The French described Klein as a photographer who hated the United States, with his photographs revealing a society that did not match the image of America.
William Klein (April 19, 1926 – September 10, 2022) was an American-born French photographer and filmmaker noted for his ironic approach to both media and his extensive use of unusual photographic techniques in the context of photojournalism and fashion photography. He was ranked 25th on Professional Photographer's list of 100 most influential photographers.
Born in New York in 1928, Klein had lived in France since the late 1940s, when he arrived as a soldier and eventually studied art there.
His art career began as a painter. She served as a fashion photographer for Vogue for several years in the 1950s and 1960s. William Klein excelled at fashion photography, but what he was passionate about was depicting streets and people. Klein also has a notable film career, including films such as Who Are You, Polly Maggo, and Mr Freedom.
William Klein is an artist who left a prestigious magazine like Vogue and hit the streets. Klein, who shot documentaries and films as well as photo shoots, examined everything in detail when he walked the streets, just like an anthropologist. According to Klein; No matter what, we must search for the meaning of life on the streets.
William Klein said: "Photographing people unawares on the streets is one of the most beautiful moments that reflect naturalness."
The fact that he started street photography, especially at a time when he was famous, was greeted as surprising and even described as 'disgusting' in the magazine world. So much so that Klein was met with derogatory sentences such as 'they were of no use' at the companies he went to to show his shots. The artist, who went beyond the perception of photography imposed by the system in the 1960s, did not give up and did not leave the streets despite all the negativities.
William Klein regained his reputation with the photographs he took a short time later. The artist, who does not compromise on his resilient nature, published books in which he shared his experiences. After Klein regained his fame, in fashionable places such as New York and France; He listed William Klein, whom he turned away from the doors, among the prestigious artists!