Dustin Pittman

Red Balloons, Studio 54, 1980.

1980

Dustin Pittman, a third-generation photographer from the Adirondack Mountains, began his journey as a production assistant on the film The Sterile Cuckoo, whose star Liza Minnelli encouraged him to move to New York and immerse himself in the city's eclectic scenes. In 1968, he enrolled in film studies at the School of Visual Arts and soon found himself a fixture at Andy Warhol's Factory, photographing the era's cultural icons and personalities, including Warhol superstars such as Candy Darling and Jackie Curtis, with his lens. In the 1970s and 80s, his assignments for Womens Wear Daily and W took him into the inner recesses of the fashion industry. Throughout his career, Pittman's lens has captured the full spectrum of New York's social tapestry - from the gritty realism of downtown to the glamorous heights of uptown. His portfolio includes unforgettable portraits of celebrities, fashion luminaries such as YSL and Halston, musicians like Iggy Pop and Lou Reed, and cultural figures ranging from Truman Capote to Jackie Kennedy. Beyond the glitz of Studio 54 and the grit of CBGBs, Pittman has chronicled pivotal moments in history, from the feminist movement and abortion rights marches to the early days of the gay liberation movement. His commitment to documenting social and political change continues to this day, reflecting his belief that "the unallowed are allowed."