Ed Van Der Elsken

by Ed van der Elsken, Hripsimé Visser

The 55 Series This is one of the most unique monograph series in the history of photography! The 55 Series represents the work of many of photography s most important figures. Each book contains 55 of the photographer s key works, presented chronologically and through them tells the photographer s own story. These books are small, but surprisingly rich in content and reproduction quality. They are a most economical way to bring the world of photography into your home. Each book is 128 pp. 6 1/4 x 5 3/4 , softbound.

Genres: Photography, Art

125 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2002

About the author

Ed van der Elsken (1925-1990) - the enfant terrible of Dutch photography - was a talented photographer and filmmaker who expressed his encounters with people through photos, photobooks and films across the span of 40 years. Roaming through cities such as Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Amsterdam or travelling through Africa and Japan, he was primarily drawn to take pictures of striking characters. His first photobook Love on the Left Bank was published in 1956, instantly making him world-famous. Some twenty photobooks followed. He also made several movies for television, mostly about subjects touching upon his personal life.

Ed van der Elsken was born in Amsterdam in 1925. From 1950 to 1954, he lived and worked in Paris. During this period, he lived with Ata Kandó and her 3 children. He then moved back to Amsterdam and lived there from 1954 to 1971. He frequently traveled for his work, for instance to Bagara, Central Africa in 1957. In the years 1959-1960, he embarked on an extensive trip around the world with his second wife, Gerda van der Veen. Shortly after this trip, their two children Tinelou and Daan were born. During his many travels, Ed van der Elsken made colour photo reportages for the monthly magazine Avenue.

From 1971 until the end of his life, he lived in the countryside near Edam with Anneke Hilhorst and their son John. Throughout this period, he often worked in Amsterdam and traveled to Japan. In 1988 he was diagnosed with cancer. He died in 1990.

Reviews

[Mira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This man is amazing. Look at his photography. Its the world of the 50s to 80s in no other way. Before the "perfect" clear defineable BORING photo that seems to be all about techno-fetish in the 2000's.
His motto was "show who you are". I think that's all there is left really. Or to show it in parts, which is what photography can do...

[Catherine Corman · Rating 5 out of 5]

he often photographed people on the fringes of society, those not concerned with upholding a position. He recognized their pride and their urge to survive, qualities that he himself possessed.

-Ed van der Elsken