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Before Stanley Kubrick directed arguably some of the best movies ever made like "2001: Space Odyssey" or "The Shining," he was a simple teenager in New York looking for a job. But even then, when the 17-year-old got his hands on a photo camera, he couldn't hide the talent within.

Bored Panda has gathered a collection of his photos of New York from 1945 to 1950, when he was working in the Look magazine. During that time Stanley got many insights into what makes a photograph work: "I think aesthetically recording spontaneous action, rather than carefully posing a picture, is the most valid and expressive use of photography."

He quickly made a name for himself by telling stories through photos, which eventually led him to moving pictures and his place in the filmmakers' hall of fame.

Oh, and if you're into street photography as well, let Stanley himself give you a tip: "Think up ideas for stories, go out and shoot them, and then send them into the magazines. I was lucky; I figured that out when I was young."

(h/t: vintage everyday)

#1

Walking The Streets Of New York, 1946

Walking The Streets Of New York, 1946

Stanley Kubrick Report

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John L
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It seems clear to me, that by seventeen, Mr. Kubrick was fully aware of the important things in life. ;D

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#2

Student At Columbia University, 1948

Student At Columbia University, 1948

Stanley Kubrick Report

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PyroarRanger
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! Amazing! The picture and girl is amazing! Also I would probably fall on the first step.

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#3

Girl With A Lipstick, 1940

Girl With A Lipstick, 1940

Stanley Kubrick Report

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John L
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While learning to walk, how many times did you fall? Did you give up and hate walking? Tennyson-5...f351a0.jpg Tennyson-59a99d6f351a0.jpg

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#5

Couple, 1940

Couple, 1940

Stanley Kubrick Report

#6

High Wire Act, 1948

High Wire Act, 1948

Stanley Kubrick Report

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Tillie Martinussen
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great shot! He really had an eye for angles! Wow! Done with only the equipment ready by then. Wow!

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#7

Shoe Shine Boy, 1940

Shoe Shine Boy, 1940

Stanley Kubrick Report

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Andi
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like that Mickey has his name on his shoeshine box

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#8

Dogs In A Convertible, 1949

Dogs In A Convertible, 1949

Stanley Kubrick Report

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#10

People On Escalators In A Subway Station, 1940

People On Escalators In A Subway Station, 1940

Stanley Kubrick Report

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BobbyK
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually did this same series for my photo class in 1970. The escalator is the Lexington Ave.-53rd St E/F train

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#11

Young Girl At Palisades Amusement Park, 1946

Young Girl At Palisades Amusement Park, 1946

Stanley Kubrick Report

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Jacqui Wilson
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd love to know if these people are still around and are aware that they're now being looked at by complete strangers in a completely different world to the one they were depicted in.

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#12

Laboratory At Columbia University, 1948

Laboratory At Columbia University, 1948

Stanley Kubrick Report

#13

Couple Playing Footsies On A Subway, 1946

Couple Playing Footsies On A Subway, 1946

Stanley Kubrick Report

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John L
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"If you think that feels good, I may just rub another leg when we get home." hint, hint.

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#14

Shoe Shine Boy, 1940

Shoe Shine Boy, 1940

Stanley Kubrick Report

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John L
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mickey's getting a head start with the "New York Hustle". He's got a good future ahead. :D

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#15

Betsy Von Furstenberg, 1949

Betsy Von Furstenberg, 1949

Stanley Kubrick Report

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Roisin Carey
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He really captured her. I'm wondering what she's reading and imagining her personality.

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#16

Girl With Dolls, 1947

Girl With Dolls, 1947

Stanley Kubrick Report

#17

Students Drawing A Nude Model In An Art Class, 1948, Columbia University

Students Drawing A Nude Model In An Art Class, 1948, Columbia University

Stanley Kubrick Report

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Flora Polvado
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Drawing a nude, one of the least sexy things you could ever do. It can be amazingly difficult

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#18

Circus Side Show Performer, 1948

Circus Side Show Performer, 1948

Stanley Kubrick Report

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John L
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To those with assets worth putting on display. Gravity may be the weakest known force in the universe, but it is constant, and never quits tugging down on them. Just a thought to consider. ;D

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#19

Shoe Shine Boys (On Fence), 1947

Shoe Shine Boys (On Fence), 1947

Stanley Kubrick Report

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Tillie Martinussen
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He found the people that others overlooked. I love his shoeshine boys.

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#21

Showgirls At The Copacabana Club, 1948

Showgirls At The Copacabana Club, 1948

Stanley Kubrick Report

#22

Shoe Shine Boy, Portrait Of Mickey, 1947

Shoe Shine Boy, Portrait Of Mickey, 1947

Stanley Kubrick Report

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John L
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He uses Mickey an awful lot in his photographs. I wonder if he and Mickey continue along the same path in life?

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#23

Men Sleeping In A Subway Car, 1946

Men Sleeping In A Subway Car, 1946

Stanley Kubrick Report

#24

Police Athletic League Boxing, 1946

Police Athletic League Boxing, 1946

Stanley Kubrick Report

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Ed Loftus
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even staged, the idea is amazing and largely successful. The light brick, black ropes, and overall composition are amazing . He knew what he wanted and clearly got it.

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#25

Passengers In A Subway Car, 1940s

Passengers In A Subway Car, 1940s

Stanley Kubrick Report

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Tillie Martinussen
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He had quite the eye for everyday hustle and bustle of life. Awesome. Used photography to new stuff early in, not just portraits and "pretty stuff", but reality! Coooool

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#27

Rosemary Williams At A Restaurant With Two Men

Rosemary Williams At A Restaurant With Two Men

Stanley Kubrick Report

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Ed Loftus
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How I miss the days of women who knew how to smoke and cigarette and make it sexy. She is very iconically captured. This shot was spur of the moment and very well percieved, especially the man on the left. Seems to be nearly posed....but truth is stranger than fiction.

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Juana
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm glad people don't smoke as much these days. What it does to your insides is not sexy.

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#31

Shoe Shine Boys (Vendor), 1947

Shoe Shine Boys (Vendor), 1947

Stanley Kubrick Report

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John L
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Trickle Down at work. Mickey and another of his fellow shoe shiners, spends some of their profits with another self-employed businessman.

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#32

Girls, 1940

Girls, 1940

Stanley Kubrick Report

#34

Man Carrying Flowers On A Crowded Subway, 1946

Man Carrying Flowers On A Crowded Subway, 1946

Stanley Kubrick Report

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Edson Resendiz
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The little girl is the main subject on this pocture, nit the man carrying flowers

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#35

Passengers Reading In A Subway Car, 1946

Passengers Reading In A Subway Car, 1946

Stanley Kubrick Report

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Pepper Ana
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why isn't there a gentleman giving up his seat for the ladies? Isn't this the era for that?

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#36

Waiting At The Dentist’s Office

Waiting At The Dentist’s Office

Stanley Kubrick Report

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Tread Head
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the most feared people in the professional world is without a doubt the dentist. It's one thing that never seems to change. :D

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#38

Shoe Shine Boy, 1940

Shoe Shine Boy, 1940

Stanley Kubrick Report

#39

Film Crew, 1947

Film Crew, 1947

Stanley Kubrick Report

#40

Guy Lombardo On A Dock, 1947-1948

Guy Lombardo On A Dock, 1947-1948

Stanley Kubrick Report

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John L
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thinking about that new tune and how to make it a hit. :D

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#41

Woman Watching Model Being Painted For The Billboard, 1947

Woman Watching Model Being Painted For The Billboard, 1947

Stanley Kubrick Report

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John L
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For some reason, allergies always affect the nose first. You wait until you think nobody is watching and....................DAMN, caught again! :(

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#42

Woman Waiting On A Subway Platform, 1940s

Woman Waiting On A Subway Platform, 1940s

Stanley Kubrick Report

#44

Man Studying In A Library, 1948, Columbia University

Man Studying In A Library, 1948, Columbia University

Stanley Kubrick Report

#46

Men With German Shepherd On A Dock, 1949

Men With German Shepherd On A Dock, 1949

Stanley Kubrick Report

#47

Woman Waiting On A Subway Platform, 1946

Woman Waiting On A Subway Platform, 1946

Stanley Kubrick Report

#49

Johnny Grant, 1946

Johnny Grant, 1946

Stanley Kubrick Report

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John L
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even in radio broadcasting, he was always around lots of flesh, and even in his later years. :D

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#50

General Dwight D. Eisenhower At Columbia University, 1948

General Dwight D. Eisenhower At Columbia University, 1948

Stanley Kubrick Report

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#51

Passengers In A Subway Car, 1946

Passengers In A Subway Car, 1946

Stanley Kubrick Report

#52

Passengers In A Subway Car, 1946

Passengers In A Subway Car, 1946

Stanley Kubrick Report

#53

Girl With A Mirror, 1940

Girl With A Mirror, 1940

Stanley Kubrick Report

#54

Audience Waiting In Line To Get Into A Recording Of "grand Slam"

Audience Waiting In Line To Get Into A Recording Of "grand Slam"

Stanley Kubrick Report

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#55

Mens Fashion Show, 1948

Mens Fashion Show, 1948

Stanley Kubrick Report

#56

Woman Knitting On A Subway, 1946

Woman Knitting On A Subway, 1946

Stanley Kubrick Report

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#59

Circus Woman With Rollerskating Monkey, 1948

Circus Woman With Rollerskating Monkey, 1948

Stanley Kubrick Report

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John L
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Times really do change. You'll never see something like this today. Now, the lady will be the monkey's assistant. :D

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#60

Boxer Walter Cartier, 1948

Boxer Walter Cartier, 1948

Stanley Kubrick Report

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John L
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This boxer, turned actor, later became Mr Kubrick's star in his very first movie. Fortunately he cleaned up a little better than in this picture. :D

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#61

Man Exiting Train, 1948

Man Exiting Train, 1948

Stanley Kubrick Report

#62

Rocky Graziano Talking To A Policeman On A Street

Rocky Graziano Talking To A Policeman On A Street

Stanley Kubrick Report

#63

Passengers In A Subway Car, 1946

Passengers In A Subway Car, 1946

Stanley Kubrick Report

#64

People Browsing Through Magazine Racks At A Busy Sidewalk Newsstand, 1947

People Browsing Through Magazine Racks At A Busy Sidewalk Newsstand, 1947

Stanley Kubrick Report

#65

Walter Cartier Drinking A Beverage, 1948

Walter Cartier Drinking A Beverage, 1948

Stanley Kubrick Report

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#66

Passengers In A Subway Car, 1946

Passengers In A Subway Car, 1946

Stanley Kubrick Report

#67

Rocky Graziano With Two Men By A Sign For The Middleweight Championship Fight Between Tony Zale And Marcel Cerdan

Rocky Graziano With Two Men By A Sign For The Middleweight Championship Fight Between Tony Zale And Marcel Cerdan

Stanley Kubrick Report

#68

Women Walking Near The Train, 1948

Women Walking Near The Train, 1948

Stanley Kubrick Report

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#69

Passengers In A Subway Car, 1946

Passengers In A Subway Car, 1946

Stanley Kubrick Report

#70

Man Carrying Flowers On A Crowded Subway, 1946

Man Carrying Flowers On A Crowded Subway, 1946

Stanley Kubrick Report

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