A Moment. Master Photographers: Portraits by Michael Somoroff

A Moment. Master Photographers: Portraits by Michael Somoroff is the body of work Michael Somoroff made thirty-five years ago. He took it upon himself to photograph in-depth his heroes and mentors, the master photographers of the twentieth century. Michael Somoroff had been introduced to their work and subsequently to many of the photographers themselves by his father, the pre-eminent still-life photographer Ben Somoroff. In honor of each of these photographers mentoring Somoroff, he began a series of portraits of his heroes including Brassaï, Ralph Gibson, André Kertész, Jacques Henri Lartigue, Arnold Newman, Helmut Newton and others. Each was caught at the quintessential moment thereby defining a period of photography that was unique- the climax of the analog photographic experience. The book contains a vast array of cutting edge artists photographed formally as well as behind the scenes who informed Somoroff’s art and craft. The text is written by William Ewing. Mr. Ewing at the time the photographs were taken was Director of Exhibitions at The International Center of Photography where Michael Somoroff had his first solo exhibition. The book is designed by Eileen Boxer. Michael Somoroff will also contribute texts with his special reminiscences of these masters, his friendships with them and the significance of their work.