Unseen New York of the 1940s: The stunning black and white shots taken by 'stealth photographer' who hunted for beauty in every day life

  • Martin Elkort captured people in New York City in their natural state with his street photography
  • Elkort would hide his camera and practice what he called 'stealth photography'
  • 'Photography allows us to see the greater picture and the beauty of what we might be missing from our own perspective,' said Elkort 

By Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: | Updated:

Amazing new photographs give a look at New York City and its residents during the 1940s.

Snapped by Martin Elkort, the images show everything from families riding on the subway and mailmen at work to men and women shopping and children heading to the movie theater.

Elkort was able to get these amazing glimpses into everyday life by hiding his camera so his subjects had no idea they were being photographed.

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Martin Elkort captured people in New York City in their natural state with his street photography

Martin Elkort captured people in New York City in their natural state with his street photography

Martin Elkort
Martin Elkort

Elkort would hide his camera and practice what he called 'stealth photography'

Elkort revealed that he took pictures most days on the street, but they did not all come together until after years of work

Elkort revealed that he took pictures most days on the street, but they did not all come together until after years of work

Martin Elkort
Martin Elkort

'I supposed my subconscious mind was making decisions,' he said

'I began to realize that something was at work helping me to take pictures. Something subconscious that I didn’t understand,' said Elkort

'I began to realize that something was at work helping me to take pictures. Something subconscious that I didn’t understand,' said Elkort

Speaking with Slate, Elkort revealed that he took pictures most days on the street, but they did not all come together until after years of work.

'I supposed my subconscious mind was making decisions,' he said. 

'I began to realize that something was at work helping me to take pictures. Something subconscious that I didn’t understand.'

He later added; 'I think you have to take a lot of pictures before you work your way through what motivates you. But to photographers that are perceptive and not afraid to push their own frontiers or their egos, there are great rewards to be found.'

'I think you have to take a lot of pictures before you work your way through what motivates you,' said Elkort

'I think you have to take a lot of pictures before you work your way through what motivates you,' said Elkort

Martin Elkort
Martin Elkort

He added; 'But to photographers that are perceptive and not afraid to push their own frontiers or their egos, there are great rewards to be found'

Elkort was born in New York City in 1929 and is now 86-years-old

Elkort was born in New York City in 1929 and is now 86-years-old

Martin Elkort
Martin Elkort

Elkort said that he made no point to be too serious in his work, and to enjoy the 'happiness' that life had to offer as much as possible

'That’s one of the great values of photography, especially street photography: It can show you the face of reality in a way that you realize that reality is far more than misery and unhappiness,' said Elkort

'That’s one of the great values of photography, especially street photography: It can show you the face of reality in a way that you realize that reality is far more than misery and unhappiness,' said Elkort

His method however was once of being as discreet as possible while out on the street.

He himself referred to it as 'stealth photography.'

He also said that he made no point to be too serious in his work, and to enjoy the 'happiness' that life had to offer as much as possible.

'That’s one of the great values of photography, especially street photography: It can show you the face of reality in a way that you realize that reality is far more than misery and unhappiness,' said Elkort.

He then added; 'Photography allows us to see the greater picture and the beauty of what we might be missing from our own perspective.' 

Martin Elkort
Martin Elkort

Elkort now lives in Los Angeles and has also written two novels in his lifetime

This shot taken by Elkort shows loaves of bread filling up the window of an Italian bakery

This shot taken by Elkort shows loaves of bread filling up the window of an Italian bakery

Martin Elkort
Martin Elkort

Elkort would frequently take photos at or around the subway system

This photo depicts a group of children reaching for a brass ring on a carousel 

This photo depicts a group of children reaching for a brass ring on a carousel 

Martin Elkort
Martin Elkort

'Photography allows us to see the greater picture and the beauty of what we might be missing from our own perspective,' said Elkort

Elkort, now 86-years-old, was born in New York City in 1929.

He now however lives across the country in Los Angeles. 

In addition to his photography, Elkort has also written two books; Getting from Fired to Hired and The Secret Life of Food. 

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