Louis Mendes
Louis Mendes is a photographer from New York City who is known for his signature press camera, portraits and street portraits.Life and work
Mendes was born in a working-class family in Jamaica, Queens, New York, in 1940. He was a young child when his elder sister handed him a camera to begin documenting family events. Later Mendes would study at the RCA Institute of Technology. After stints of working in retail including Macy's on 34th street, Mendes turned to photography.
Since the 1970s Mendes has traveled around the United States photographing people in public places. He has photographed celebrities Spike Lee, Denzel Washington, Cab Calloway, Tito Puente and Gordon Parks.
Mendes predominantly uses a Graflex Speed Graphic camera; he has also used a Polaroid Spectra, modified Polaroid 110b, view camera and medium and large format cameras.
Mendes lives in Harlem, New York and has two daughters, Tiona and Moet.Publications
Publications by Mendes
- The Magic Within. Self published by Raymond Ortiz / chiefbooks using Blurb, 2010.
- Mestrado Fotografo. Self published by Raymond Ortiz / chiefbooks using Blurb, 2010.
- One Of A Kind. Self published by Raymond Ortiz / chiefbooks using Blurb, 2010.
- Monumental. Self published by Raymond Ortiz / chiefbooks using Blurb, 2010.
Publications with mentions of Mendes
- One Hundred Jobs: A Panorama of Work in the American City. The New Press, 2000. By Ron Howell and with photographs by Ozier Muhammad.
- Coney Island. W. W. Norton & Company, 1998. By Harvey Stein.
