The International Center of Photography’s current exhibition, Capa in Color, shows the struggle that a legendary photojournalist had with the anti color conventions of photojournalism during the 1950s through an amazing collection of beautiful and shocking color photographs. When you enter the International Center of Photography, a short and pleasant walk from Grand Central Terminal, a large color picture, lovingly captured in Kodachrome, greets you immediately. It is the work of Robert Capa, iconic photojournalist who produced stories about everything from World War two to Picasso.

The shots of World War Two, many of which are common place in black and white in a textbook or old newspaper, come to startling life in Capa’s color work. When I looked at these almost modern images of soldiers wresting or smiling out of their frames, I almost felt as if I was looking at a movie still, instead of a genuine picture from the time. The separation of time that is created by black and white images is dissolved, replaced by a feeling of hyperrealism and modernity, which is lost by Ken Burn’s documentaries and old textbooks. Candid pictures, which look as though they could be found on anyone’s iPhone or Facebook wall, show Ernest Hemingway having a picnic, Pablo Picasso playing with his children, and Truman Capote laughing with a friend.

The first exhibit of Capa’s color work, this exhibition shows a man who was not only devoted to journalism and photographing the truth, but also to the more beautiful, luxurious things in life. Capa was a good friend of many filmmakers, such as John Huston, and consequently photographed many movies and actors, like Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart, both of which are featured in this exhibit. It is not only the people who Capa photographed, but also the love and care and genius with which he photographed them that makes these images so unique. The photographs are effortless, composed magnificently, and use color to the maximum effect, which was very important to Capa as a person who was trying to bring color to the mainstream world of photojournalism. The show also features a few decadent shots of Rome and the Alps, each more stunning and delightful than the one before.

Robert Capa was so passionate about his work as a serious photojournalist, that he risked his life to show the truth of conflicts on many occasions, such as those in the Spanish Civil War and during World War Two, losing many friends along theway. Tragically in 1954 he was killed, while photographing the conflict in Indochina (present day Vietnam.) Although he died far too young, he produced an amazing amount of hugely significant work. I would beg you to do yourself a favor and visit this truly outstanding exhibit, which is sure to change the way you think of photojournalism in the 1950s and fill you with absolute delight and awe at the genius of the legendary Mr. Robert Capa.

http://www.icp.org/museum/exhibitions/capa-color

January 31, 2013- May 4, 2014

General Admission: $14

Student/Senior Admission: $10

10 minute walk from Grand Central Terminal