Chronicles a man who is obsessively interested in only one thing,the pictures he takes that document the way people dress. The 80-year-old New York Times photographer has two columns in the paper's Style section, yet nobody knows who he is.
Ok, I stole a part of a Washington Post review of the movie;
Isn’t it wonderful when good things happen to good people? Renowned New York Times fashion photographer Bill Cunningham would probably call it marvelous, but he’d pronounce it “mahvelous” like a good Bostonian and then unleash a little laugh. He’s a charmer, that Bill, and if the documentary “Bill Cunningham New York” is any indication, his prominence as a photographer is matched by many other splendid traits, not the least of which is his infectious happiness.
The 80-something New Yorker is a vision in royal blue as he pedals through the streets of Manhattan on a red bicycle, avoiding honking cabs and police sirens. He may be known for his fashion photography, especially the candid shots he takes for his weekly “On the Street” column, but he prefers a blue drugstore jacket — the kind that street sweepers used to wear — unless it’s raining, in which case he opts for an old poncho held together by tape. He adores his $3 egg-sandwich-and-coffee combination at the little deli down the street. And his studio at Carnegie Hall, which he inhabited until he was recently forced to relocate, was really just a tiny room filled with file cabinets and a bed. There was no kitchen, and the bathroom was down the hall. He prefers it that way, living simply.
Yet when it comes to capturing extravagant beauty, Cunningham’s eye is unparalleled. Just ask Vogue editor Anna Wintour, socialite Annette de la Renta or designer Michael Kors.
Just watched this documentary. An elderly man in a blue dust coat riding a bicycle in New York taking fashion pictures for the New York Times? Brilliant!
All I can say is....... watch it! his persona, warmth and humility is such a contrast to the normal paparazzi (not that I would class him as paparazzi) and his a darn good street photographer too!
I continue to love this guy. He inspires me. It brings a smile to my face just to know that at 84 nearly 85 years of age he's still out there everyday doing his thing.
His most recent post, February 9th, 2014, along with his audio clip in the New York times is here.
I saw this movie last summer. Very interesting, eccentric and humble man, Cunningham is. His humility in accepting a European award for his life's work in the movie even made me uncomfortably embarrassed for him. I also found interesting his uneasyness in talking about his personal life when queried about it. The movie also touches upon another well known photographer, Editta Sherman, who photographed celebrities with a 8x10 ektachrome. I'd love to see the image quality differences in very large prints between that camera and the best DSLRs of today.
I saw this movie last summer. Very interesting, eccentric and humble man, Cunningham is. His humility in accepting a European award for his life's work in the movie even made me uncomfortably embarrassed for him. I also found interesting his uneasyness in talking about his personal life when queried about it. The movie also touches upon another well known photographer, Editta Sherman, who photographed celebrities with a 8x10 ektachrome. I'd love to see the image quality differences in very large prints between that camera and the best DSLRs of today.
She used an 8x10 camera, what kind exactly, I don't know, but Ektachrome is a direct positive film. Perhaps the lens was a Kodak Ektar.
Editta Sherman features more prominently in the film "Lost Bohemia"
