Unveiled: Early Photographic Works of Stephen Shore, Taken at the Age of 13, Display Far from Novice Skills

Stephen Shore, a renowned American photographer, has released a collection of his early works titled Early Work. This body of work, spanning from 1960 to 1965, offers a fascinating glimpse into Shore's formative years as a photographer.

Remarkably, the photographs in Early Work scarcely differ from Shore's current work. They are considered and sophisticated, comparable to those taken in his later years. The collection feels like a full-circle event, bridging the existential gap between the photographer Shore hoped to become and the one he is now.

Shore considers himself an observer of the images in his Early Work, rather than a creator. He was an only child during this period, and his affinity for the ordinary charm of a place, attraction to dramas in scenes, and belief in a photographer's task to slightly alter the world's familiarity are evident in these photographs.

The settings of most photographs in Early Work are the street, featuring strangers and their postures. A 1965 Warhol self-portrait included in the book shows Warhol from a selfie-like angle, likely sitting on the floor in the middle of banter. Shore's earliest photograph in the book is of his mentor, William Dexter, taking a photograph of a boys' sports team.

Shore's entrance into the world of photography as an art was influenced by his experiences growing up with a strong exposure to photography and art. He began photographing seriously at a young age and was encouraged by mentors and collectors who recognized his talent early on, enabling him to develop a unique vision and technical skill during his youth.

Shore spent a three-year period at Andy Warhol's Factory, where he learned from observing Warhol's creative process. His understanding that a camera frames the world, rather than points at it, was influenced by Walker Evans's work.

William Dexter, a boarding school headmaster, had a darkroom in his house and encouraged and deepened Shore's interest in photography. Shore received a Kodak ABC Darkroom Outfit for his sixth birthday, a Ricoh 35 for his eighth, and a copy of Walker Evans's American Photographs (1938) for his tenth.

Shore's memoir on the craft of photography, Modern Instances, indicates his prodigious taste for influences. He had encounters with photographers like W. Eugene Smith, Dave Heath, and Jonas Mekas, who have had lasting impacts on his life.

In Early Work, Shore's photographs speak for him, reflecting his observations of the world around him. They attest to his remarkable talent and dedication, even at such a young age. The photographs in Early Work, in their attentiveness to the American surface, are a testament to Shore's enduring legacy in the world of photography.

Unveiled: Early Photographic Works of Stephen Shore, Taken at the Age of 13, Display Far from Novice Skills