Masters Of Photography: Edward Steichen

Synopsis

In every branch of photography to which he set his hand, Steichen became a master. His portraits of Gershwin, Garbo, Eugene O'Neill, Marlene Dietrich, Chaplin and George M. Cohan are the classic photographs by which we remember these celebrities. His photomurals of huge buildings, dams and bridges astonished audiences when they were first shown. He was a pioneer in the field of aerial photography and during World War Two was in charge of combat naval photography. In the 20s and 30s he was the best known and most expensive commercial advertising photographer in New York.

This documentary was made in 1964 when Edward Steichen was 86. He reflects on his life and comments on many of his photographs. "It is only the person who is open minded to new things who can make use of them and explain them to others," he says. "The photographer must establish an intimate relationship between himself and whatever he's photographing, whether it be a can of beans, a landscape or Greta Garbo."