Photographer Martin Elkort beside daughter Stefani Elkort Twyford

THE WRITINGS

of martin elkort and his daughter, stefani Elkort Twyford

Introduction by Stefani Elkort Twyford

After Martin’s passing, I brought home boxes of journals and pages of writings and manuscripts. That he was a prolific writer is an understatement. As I sort through these papers, I will be posting these musings here, along with many of his photos with both his and my impressions, and hope you will enjoy them.

His perspective is one of keen observation, the same observation that makes his photographs so poignant. His eye to the world never changed, only the mediums for the expression of what he saw.

2nd Street and 2nd Ave Snowstorm-1948
Musings
Stefani Twyford

2nd Street and 2nd Ave Snowstorm -1948

The iconic city of New York bundled up in a blanket of snow, a reminder of a simpler time. This vintage photograph shot by Martin in 1948, takes us on a journey through the bustling streets, now quiet and still.

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Martin Elkort on Photography
Martin Elkort

A Look Back at the Dawn of Digital

President Clinton and British Prime Minister John Major, right, walk between U.S. servicemen’s headstones during a D-Day anniversary service at the American cemetery in Cambridge, England, Saturday June 4, 1994.

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Musings
Stefani Twyford

A Visit To Georgia O’Keefe

In 1959 Martin Elkort visited artist Georgia O’Keefe at her Ghost Ranch home and studio. Martin was living in Santa Fe at the time and working as an art editor

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Martin Elkort on Photography
Martin Elkort

About the New York Photo League

View, positive, depth, focus, develop. Those words have special meanings for photographers, as they had to Martin Elkort when he joined the Photo League of New York in 1947. The

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Martin Elkort on Photography
Martin Elkort

Confessions of a Street Walker

Featured in Rangefinder Magazine (January 2007) Why Street Photography? Willie Sutton, when asked why he robbed banks, famously replied, “Because that’s where the money is.” If asked why he or

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Musings
Stefani Twyford

Cooling Off During a Heat Wave

We hope everyone had a great 4th of July break. Now back to our regularly scheduled summertime programming! With temperatures at record highs around the world, here’s a throwback photograph

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Musings
Stefani Twyford

Eyes Wide Shut!

This “musing” was written in one of Martin’s journals. His grandson Evan Twyford, read this piece at his funeral, because it so aptly captures how Martin constantly examined things, analyzed his

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Musings
Stefani Twyford

Listening to Ghost Stories

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, young kids are often the best audience for good ghost stories. Told with equal elements of entertainment, belief and fear of the unknown,

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Musings
Stefani Twyford

Memorial Day

When Martin attended Cooper Union art school in the early 1950s, he was often a featured illustrator for their magazine, Folio. Here is a beautiful piece in honor of Memorial

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Martin Elkort on Photography
Martin Elkort

Michael Richard: Blind Ambition

In Valleyheart Drive, a sundappled street fronting a culvert in the heart of California’s San Fernando Valley, is an unassuming cottage. It is the home of photographer Michael Richard. He is blind.

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All photographs and writings on this website are owned and copyrighted by Martin Elkort and may not be used without the the expressed and written consent of Martin Elkort.