Cold Calling Helen Levitt

I dialed the number. To my amazement, she picked up the phone. I asked if this was Helen Levitt, the legendary street photographer. There was a frailness in her voice. She said that it was.

I enquired about her creative process. For example, I had heard that she invented a mirror attachment for the front of her lens. It was at a 45 degree angle so she could photograph somebody on her right or left without them noticing. She clarified that this was simply an attachment she bought from a local camera shop.

"I'm in town and I was wondering if it would be possible to meet you." She said she was over 90 and not getting around too well. I thanked her and we ended the call. Feeling a mixture of sadness and joy, I grabbed my camera and went out onto the streets of New York City.