A new book about photographer Dustin Pittman captures New York’s golden years

Photographer Dustin Pittman is not a supporter of the wall. From Andy Warhol’s Factory to the women’s liberation movements of the 1970s, Pittman was on the ground with his camera, capturing everything. new book, Dustin Pittman: New York After Dark, co-written by Mauricio Padilha and Roger Padilha, it contains 270 pages of Pittman’s photographic archive, containing hundreds of thousands of photos from the late 1960s through the 1990s. Accompanied by first-hand anecdotes and memories from Pittman himself, the volume is also a true love letter to New York – its people, places, protests and parties.

Pittman, who grew up in the Adirondack Mountains, first fell in love with photography at the mall, where he devoured fashion and music magazines as a child. After completing production work on set Sterile cuckoo starring Liza Minnelli Pittman moved to New York in February 1969, where he later enrolled at the School of Visual Arts in film and photography. The young artist fit in perfectly, as if he had always been a city kid. If an event of cultural significance occurred, Pittman was there to film it.

The vast majority New York after dark consists of previously unpublished photos of the most iconic names of the late 20th century, with whom Pittman formed lasting friendships: in his over 50-year-old portfolio, standouts include photos of David Bowie, Diana Ross and Grace Jones. The photographer captured many spontaneous, unguarded moments in New York, including model Pat Cleveland and fashion icon André Leon Talley hitting the dance floor; or shy, pre-blonde Debbie Harry. His photos also show Pittman’s involvement in various movements for women’s, LGBTQIA+ and minority rights.

Pittman wasn’t just a spectator with a camera – he was an active participant in the scenes he captured. Every picture in this book will wish you were there. Keep scrolling to take a look Dustin Pittman: New York after darknow available at Rizzoli.