Louis Stettner (1922-2016) born in Brooklyn, NY, began his seventy-year career in photography as a member of the Photo League in the late 1930s, before becoming a World War II Army combat photographer in the Pacific. He then traveled to France, living in Paris between 1947 and 1952. While in Paris he frequented the French Humanist group of photographers, Brassai, Cartier-Bresson, Boubat, among others, forming close friendships and gaining mentors. Stettner spent his life living between New York and Paris. His photographs are his own unique melding of New York Street photography and the French Humanist School. His view of photography and life, which he saw as uniquely one, are best summed up in his own words a belief reflected in the poetry of his images: “…it was a joyous route, such magnificent sights and human splendor along the way that difficulties magically effaced themselves. One regretted nothing and would have it no other say.”

………………………………………..

My Credo

My way of life, my very being, is based on images capable of engraving themselves indelibly in our inner soul’s eye.
Also, through my personal vision, to reveal  what cannot be readily seen, to capture what is most meaningful, to enrich our appreciation of life.

It is to explore and celebrate the human condition and the world around us, nature and man together, to find significance in suffering and all that is profound, beautiful and nourishes the soul.

Above all, I believe in creative work through struggle to increase human wisdom and happiness.

Photo by Janet Iffland Stettner