Fascinating Photos of New York Taken by Benn Mitchell in the 1940s and Early 1950s

Born 1926, American photographer Benn Mitchell, from the age of 13 when he received his first camera, has been producing photographs that capture particularly American vitality. He sold his first photograph to LIFE magazine when he was 16. At the age of 17, he headed west from New York City, gaining permission from Warner Brothers to photograph the stars on the various sound stages and sets of Hollywood, where he created iconic portraits of Humphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, and many others.

New York taken by Benn Mitchell in the 1940s and early 1950s

After two years of duty as a navy photographer, Mitchell returned to New York City and was employed in a large commercial studio. In 1951, he started his own commercial studio in New York City.

During the weekends and holidays, Mitchell continued to photograph for his own satisfaction and has won many awards both domestic and international. He was been published in many photo annuals and today his work appears in Fortune 500 companies, and all over the world in advertising, books and major magazines. Collectors also buy his fine art photographs.

These fascinating photos are from part of his work that Mitchel decomented street scenes of New York in the 1940s and early 1950s.

60 Cent Haircut, 1943

Birds in sky, Stern Building, New York City, 1946

2nd Avenue El and 45th Street, 1947

Paramount Theatre, 1947

Descending subway stairs, New York, 1948

George Washington Bridge, New York City, 1948

Lion, New York City, 1948

42nd Street, New York, 1949

New York Public Library, 1949

Times Square, New York City, 1949

Bus Stop, New York, 1950

No Parking, New York, 1950

Rockefeller Center ice rink, New York, 1950

Victory Theatre, 42nd Street, New York, 1950

Broadway, New York City, 1951

Ghost Rider & King, 1951

Two boys eating ice cream, New York, 1951

Untitled, 1951

3rd Avenue El, New York, 1952

Lonely man, New York City, 1952

The Dalton Gang, 1952

Horse pulling wagon, New York City, 1953

Street speaker, 42nd Street, New York City, 1953

(Photo © Ben Mitchell)