Stanley Kubrick’s Photos from the 1940s

Stanley Kubrick’s Photos from the 1940s

MonoVisions Black & White Photo Contest 2025

Stanley Kubrick—who wrote and directed Lolita, Dr. Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange and The Shining—was one of America’s most influential filmmakers. Directors ranging from the Coen Brothers to Tim Burton paid visual homage to his works in their own films, and no less than Steven Spielberg said: “Nobody could shoot a picture better in history.”

In fact Kubrick’s special skill behind the camera and his ability to create visual intrigue were evident long before he was a Hollywood icon. Even at the age of 17, Kubrick was an immense talent. In 1945, for $25, he sold a photograph to Look magazine of a broken-hearted newsvendor reacting to the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. A few months later Kubrick joined Look’s staff to become the youngest staff photographer in the magazine’s history. He continued to work for Look until 1950 when he left to pursue filmmaking.

Shoe Shine Boys – 1947

Shoe Shine Boys – 1947

Shoe Shine Boys (Vendor) – 1947

Shoe Shine Boys (Vendor) – 1947

Shoe Shine Boys (On Fence) – 1947

Shoe Shine Boys (On Fence) – 1947

Johnny on the Spot – 1946

Johnny on the Spot – 1946

Laboratory at Columbia University – 1948

Laboratory at Columbia University – 1948

High Wire Act – 1948

High Wire Act – 1948

General Dwight D. Eisenhower at Columbia University – 1948

General Dwight D. Eisenhower at Columbia University – 1948

Betsy Von Furstenberg – 1949

Betsy Von Furstenberg – 1949

Johnny Grant – 1946

Johnny Grant – 1946

Showgirls at the Copacabana Club – 1948

Showgirls at the Copacabana Club – 1948

Walking the Streets of New York – 1946

Walking the Streets of New York – 1946

Waiting at the Dentist’s Office

Waiting at the Dentist’s Office

Changing the Tire – 1946

Changing the Tire – 1946

Boxer Walter Cartier – 1948

Boxer Walter Cartier – 1948

Girl with Dolls – 1947

Girl with Dolls – 1947

Circus Woman With Rollerskating Monkey – 1948

Circus Woman With Rollerskating Monkey – 1948

Police Athletic League Boxing – 1946

Police Athletic League Boxing – 1946

Mens Fashion Show – 1948

Mens Fashion Show – 1948

Film Crew – 1947

Film Crew – 1947

Young Girl at Palisades Amusement Park – 1946

Young Girl at Palisades Amusement Park – 1946

Circus Side Show Performer – 1948

Circus Side Show Performer – 1948


MonoVisions Black & White Photo Contest 2025