Alfred Eisenstaedt (1898 - 1995) was a German-Born (actually born in Poland but raised in Germany) American photographer and photojournalist, most well known for his work as a documentary photographer in World War 2, along with his hugely infamous and influential photo “VJ Day In Times Square”.
He served in the first world war, however he sustained 2 injuries in his legs. As a result he turned to photography, becoming a professional photographer in 1929, the boom in German photojournalism's popularity. He sighted many inspirations, in particular Erich Salomon, who was a renowned documentary photographer of the 1920s/1930s.
"The important thing is not the camera but the eye." ~ Alfred Eisenstaedt
During the 1930s, he covered Adolf Hitler and his rise in Germany. In 1935, however, he made the decision to move to the United States, which would ultimately be a well revised choice for his career, as if not for it, this article probably would not exist. He liked to photograph people of power, such as dictators and kings, but also had an eye for the general public as well as motion picture (film) stars.
WHAT EXACTLY WAS VJ DAY?
V-J day (otherwise known as Victory over Japan day) is the day that Japan waved the white flag on the 14th of August 1945, which was the final end to World War 2. The photo was taken on this day as the entire of America was rejoicing after an incredibly long and arduous war with the Japanese. Eisenstaedt was commissioned by Life Magazine, whom he had previously worked with many times before, being featured in more than 90 magazines with them, to take photos of the celebration, and this one just so happened to be the one that everyone clicked with (no pun intended).
To this day, V-J day is still widely celebrated by the US, with this year’s VJ Day being August 15th 2022. It is very much like remembrance here in the UK.
“I saw a sailor running along the street grabbing any and every girl in sight… I was running ahead of him with my Leica looking back over my shoulder but none of the pictures that were possible pleased me. Then suddenly in a flash, I saw something white being grabbed. I turned around and clicked the moment the sailor kissed the nurse. If she had been dressed in a dark dress I would never have taken the picture. If the sailor had worn a white uniform - the same. I took exactly four pictures. It was done within a few seconds.”
Alfred Eisenstaedt
V-J Day in Times Square by Alfred Eisenstaedt
Life magazine printed the picture on its cover. It became Alfred Eisenstaedt best-known photo. This photo was so influential that it was created into a sculpture by John Seward Johnson in 2005, which was displayed in many cities and towns for a period.
“All photographers have to do is find and catch the story-telling moment.” – Alfred Eisenstaedt.
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