Mary Ellen Mark, one of the premier documentary photographers of her generation, died Monday at age 75.
Mark’s photography spanned decades and her subjects ranged from celebrities to world leaders to the fringe of society, including prostitutes and members of the Ku Klux Klan.
Her most recent project was an exploration of New Orleans. The project was to be published later this summer by CNN to mark the 10-year anniversary of Katrina.
Mark gained prominence in the 1960s, and built a reputation as a fearless, globetrotting photographer that brought forth the dignity and humanity of her subjects, often overlooked men and women.
Among her most famous projects is Streetwise, a collection of photographs spanning 30 years in the life of Tiny Blackwell, a prostitute and heroin addict Mark met in the 1980s when Tiny was 14.
“Mary Ellen had the unique ability to see inside – she was like a snake charmer of the soul,” said friend Kelly Cutrone.
She was survived by her husband Martin Bell, a documentary filmmaker.
