Great Black & White Part II

Robert Doisneau was born in 1912 in Gentilly in the Val-de-Marne near Paris. His father was a plumber and died in service During WWI when he was four. His mother died when he was seven, he then was raised by a loving aunt. When he was 13 he went to Ecole Estienne a art school where he studied engraving and lithography which he graduated in 1929 with  a diploma. When he was 16 he started amateur photography and progressed to children and adults. At the end of the 1920's Doisneau found work as a draughtsman in the advertising industry. here he had the opportunity to change careers by also being a camera assistant and became a staff photographer. In 1931 he left his jobs and took a job as an assistant with the modernist photographer Andre Vigneau. In 1932 he sold his first photographic story to Excelsior Magazine. In 1932 he worked as an industrial photographer for a car factory this increased his interest in working with photography and people. then in 1939 he ws fired for always being late. He was left to do freelance advertising , engraving , and postcard photography to earn a living. Later that year he was hired b Charles Rado of the Rapho photographic agency and raveled through France taking pictures of picture stories. This is when he took his first professional street photos. he worked there until WWII where he was drafted and became a solider and photographer for the french army. He was in service for 1940-1945, when the war ended.
 In 1948 he was contracted by Vogue to be a fashion photographer. He didn't like taking pictures of beautiful women in elegant surroundings, he liked street photography instead. when he could escape the studio he would rome the streets of Paris and take street photography. In 1950  he joined the Group and participated with Rene-Jacques, Willy Ronis, and Pierre Jahan. Throughout the 60's and 70's he continued to work Producing children's books, advertising photography, and celebrity portraits including Alberto Giacometti, Jean Cocteau, Fernand Leger, Georges Braque, and Pablo Picasso. Doisneau was known for is modest, playful, and ironic images of the Paris Streets and cafes. He presented a charming view of human frailty and life of moments.