Skip to main content

Henry Diltz Art

American, b. 1938

Music photographer Henry Diltz shot more than 250 album covers and thousands of publicity shots in the ‘60s and ‘70s, including the iconic Morrison Hotel cover for The Doors. 

Known for his fly-on-the-wall-style portraits, Diltz has shot other musical legends including the Eagles, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Crosby Stills & Nash, Jackson Browne, America, Steppenwolf, James Taylor, Jimi Hendrix, The Monkees and David Cassidy. He was the official photographer at the Woodstock festival in August 1969, and Diltz’s work has also appeared in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, LIFE, People, Rolling Stone, High Times and Billboard

A popular musician in the 1960s himself, Diltz’s career, taking some of the most iconic photographs of our era, just happened. After a globetrotting childhood, he attended colleges in Munich, West Point and Honolulu, where he became known as a musician and founding member of the Modern Folk Quartet. When Phil Spector produced one of the group’s last singles, this led to many friendships with emerging recording artists in the California rock communities of the ‘60s and ‘70s. 

Immersed in this world, Diltz discovered a passion for photography, which turned into an obsession and, later, an occupation. His gift did not go unnoticed by musician-friends, whom Diltz documented as he hung out in the scene. 

“I only wanted to remember exactly what I saw,” he says. “It was all about capturing images and moments, filling the frame with the essence of what I saw.” 

Diltz’s professional career began with the serendipitous sale of a single shot of Buffalo Springfield in 1966. Through a memorable six-year partnership with design legend Gary Burden, the list of album covers and artists he shot grew to read like a “Who’s Who” of rock ‘n’ roll history. Musicians liked him for the natural quality of his photos and because he was not part of the “establishment” press. His work graced magazines like Rolling Stone and included a LIFE cover of Paul and Linda McCartney in April 1971. 

Diltz’s photos are distinguished by a lyrical sense of composition that actor Harrison Ford once referred to as “Henry’s framing Jones.” There’s an intuitive, naturalistic luminosity that only available light — which he prefers — can deliver. Whether working with conventional film or digital images, he always finds the perfect balance of illumination, color and reportage. 

Diltz and his images are such fixtures in rock culture that he is often interviewed for books, articles and documentaries about the era and speaks regularly on college campuses. He continues to document the music scene from his base in Southern California today. 

“I am amazed at the accumulation of images that has resulted, simply by doing what I love to do, day after day after day,” says Diltz. “It’s a result of being with countless people over the years, waiting at the sidelines for the moment to happen. Photography has been my passport, and I have arrived in the present, where I have always been, camera in hand. There! That says it best for me!”

Find original Henry Diltz photography on 1stDibs.

(Biography provided by Rosenbaum Contemporary)

to
1
3
4
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
2
6
1
2
2
7
1
5
2
1
8
5
5
4
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
4
2
2
1
8
10,158
2,805
2,503
1,396
4
3
8
Artist: Henry Diltz
Neil Young

Neil Young

By Henry Diltz

Located in Mount Pleasant, SC

"Henry Diltz and Neil Young were walking around his ranch one morning and stopped in one of his little barns to look at some guitars. Neil's little dog, Harte followed. It looked so ...

Category

19th Century Contemporary Henry Diltz Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Paul and Linda McCartney
Paul and Linda McCartney

Paul and Linda McCartney

By Henry Diltz

Located in Missouri, MO

Paul and Linda McCartney, 1971 Henry Diltz (American, b. 1938) Photo Print Laid to Foamcore Board 17 x 11 inches (image) 20 x 16 inches (overall) Hand-signed Lower Right Titled and D...

Category

1970s American Modern Henry Diltz Art

Materials

Photographic Film, Color

"Kurt Cobain, Nirvana" 1993 framed photograph by Henry Diltz
"Kurt Cobain, Nirvana" 1993 framed photograph by Henry Diltz

"Kurt Cobain, Nirvana" 1993 framed photograph by Henry Diltz

By Henry Diltz

Located in Boca Raton, FL

"Kurt Cobain, Nirvana" 1993 photograph shot at Los Angeles Forum in California by photographer Henry Diltz. This framed photograph was previously displayed in a guest room of the ori...

Category

1990s Contemporary Henry Diltz Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood

Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood

By Henry Diltz

Located in Mount Pleasant, SC

Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood on the lear jet in 1979 during the New Barbarians tour. Signed and titled by Henry Diltz

Category

20th Century Contemporary Henry Diltz Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Crosby, Stills and Nash

Crosby, Stills and Nash

By Henry Diltz

Located in Mount Pleasant, SC

"The photo on the cover of Crosby, Stills & Nash debut album released in 1969 on Atlantic Records that launched them into stardom. We found an old couch in front of an abandoned ...

Category

19th Century Contemporary Henry Diltz Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

"Keith Richards, Midwest Airport, 1979" framed photograph by Henry Diltz
"Keith Richards, Midwest Airport, 1979" framed photograph by Henry Diltz

"Keith Richards, Midwest Airport, 1979" framed photograph by Henry Diltz

By Henry Diltz

Located in Boca Raton, FL

"Keith Richards, Midwest Airport, 1979" black and white photograph by Henry Diltz. Image size: 21 3/4 x 16 inches. This framed photograph was previously displayed in a guest room of ...

Category

1970s Contemporary Henry Diltz Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

"Kurt Cobain, Nirvana" 1993 framed photograph by Henry Diltz
"Kurt Cobain, Nirvana" 1993 framed photograph by Henry Diltz

"Kurt Cobain, Nirvana" 1993 framed photograph by Henry Diltz

By Henry Diltz

Located in Boca Raton, FL

"Kurt Cobain, Nirvana" 1993 photograph shot at Los Angeles Forum in California by photographer Henry Diltz. This framed photograph was previously displayed in a guest room...

Category

1990s Contemporary Henry Diltz Art

Materials

Photographic Paper

Related Items
Peter Andrew Lusztyk - Canoe, Photography 2022, Printed After

Peter Andrew Lusztyk - Canoe, Photography 2022, Printed After

By Peter Andrew Lusztyk

Located in Stamford, CT

Canoe Digital C-Print / Archival Pigment Print Edition of 5 per size Available sizes: 24” x 36” Scenic Collection. Since this print will be shipped directly from the publisher, the...

Category

2010s Contemporary Henry Diltz Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Hair, 2013

Julie BlackmonHair, 2013, 2013

$3,500

H 22 in W 22 in

Hair, 2013

By Julie Blackmon

Located in Sante Fe, NM

Domestic Vacations: The Dutch proverb "a Jan Steen household" originated in the 17th century and is used today to refer to a home in disarray, full of rowdy children and boisterous f...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Henry Diltz Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Bobbers (Contemporary Nautical Still Life Photo of Fishing Bobbers on White)

Bobbers (Contemporary Nautical Still Life Photo of Fishing Bobbers on White)

By David Halliday

Located in Hudson, NY

Nautical color still life photograph of colorful fishing bobbers on a white background archival pigment print, edition of 10 20 x 20 inch paper size with 16 inch diameter image size ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Henry Diltz Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

Two Leopards Spotted, Chicago 1974, Brookfield Zoo, Signed and Framed.
Two Leopards Spotted, Chicago 1974, Brookfield Zoo, Signed and Framed.

Two Leopards Spotted, Chicago 1974, Brookfield Zoo, Signed and Framed.

By Art Shay

Located in Chicago, IL

Street photography was a passion of Art's and it shows in this delightful shot taken at Brookfield Zoo in 1974. The photograph is signed on the bottom right hand corner. It is matted with a heavy white mat and framed in a simple black metal frame. Art Shay Two Leopards...

Category

1970s Contemporary Henry Diltz Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Dark Flora #5, May Foxgloves, A floral arrangement of wild flowers and plants
Dark Flora #5, May Foxgloves, A floral arrangement of wild flowers and plants

Dark Flora #5, May Foxgloves, A floral arrangement of wild flowers and plants

Located in London, GB

Dark Flora #5 - May Foxgloves, 2020 Archival Pigment Print, Mounted on Aluminium, in bespoke Oak Framed, Edition 3/8 Foraged from Sussex Wealden woodland in early summer, it includes Foxgloves, beech, heather and star moss surrounding a woodland bird’s nest. Foxglove’s sometimes used to be called dead man’s bells due to every part of the plant being poisonous... Inspired by Victorian era taxidermy dioramas...

Category

2010s Contemporary Henry Diltz Art

Materials

Archival Pigment, Glass, Wood, Photographic Paper, Color

Tania Mallet in the Bahamas (Aarons Estate Edition)

Tania Mallet in the Bahamas (Aarons Estate Edition)

By Slim Aarons

Located in New York, NY

1961: Actress Tania Mallet relaxes on a red-curtained four poster in Eleuthera, in the Bahamas. She is best known for her role as the unfortunate Tilly Masterson in the Bond film 'Go...

Category

1960s American Modern Henry Diltz Art

Materials

Lambda

Diagonal Lift - Nude Female Balanced on a Pedestal, Black and White Photograph
Diagonal Lift - Nude Female Balanced on a Pedestal, Black and White Photograph

Diagonal Lift - Nude Female Balanced on a Pedestal, Black and White Photograph

By Doug Birkenheuer

Located in Chicago, IL

This gorgeous female figure is balanced on a wooden pedestal with a stray hand on her torso. Her muscular figure is enhanced by the sepia tones and the play of light on the subject....

Category

2010s Contemporary Henry Diltz Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Archival Pigment

Untitled (Brian and Carl Morphed) - Two Nude figures, Black and White Photograph
Untitled (Brian and Carl Morphed) - Two Nude figures, Black and White Photograph

Untitled (Brian and Carl Morphed) - Two Nude figures, Black and White Photograph

By Doug Birkenheuer

Located in Chicago, IL

Two nude males lie on a bare wood floor. The angle of the photograph suggests that their bodies have melded into one. The artist uses traditional photography methods shooting the i...

Category

1990s Contemporary Henry Diltz Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

The Man With the Golden Arm, 1949, Nelson Algren as the Dealer, Silver Gelatin
The Man With the Golden Arm, 1949, Nelson Algren as the Dealer, Silver Gelatin

The Man With the Golden Arm, 1949, Nelson Algren as the Dealer, Silver Gelatin

By Art Shay

Located in Chicago, IL

In the novel "The Man with the Golden Arm" by Nelson Algren, the main character is a card shark. Here Art has taken a twist on that title by showing Algren as the dealer in one of Art's most famous shots. This work is framed in a simple black metal frame measuring 21.5h x 25.25w inches. Art Shay The Man with the Golden Arm, 1949 silver gelatin print 16h x 20w in 40.64h x 50.80w cm ASY15107 “Art Shay’s photography shakes you up, sets you down gently, pats you on the head and then kicks you in the ass.” Roger Ebert “[Shay’s work] ranks with some of the greats of the 20th century.” Ellen & Richard Sandor, Renowned photo collectors “I’ve admired Art Shay’s work for almost forty years, and he keeps getting better. He can do anything with a camera, but what he mostly does is capture real moments and transform them into visual poetry. His work continues to be an inspiration to me.” William Friedkin, Director of French Connection “Art Shay is one of our finest photographers. His work over the past fifty years has artfully captured the beauty, humor, and pathos of America.” Studs Terkel “Art Shay is one of the best photojournalists I know. I’ve been a fan of his work since the early 1950s - before the launch of playboy magazine.” Hugh Hefner “Algren, Terkel, Royko, they gave us a voice. Art Shay gave us a face.” Tony Fitzpatrick, Chicago Artist “Art Shay is America’s Cartier-Bresson.” Thomas Dyja, author of The Third Coast “Chicago’s Art Shay in many ways is to American photography what Nelson Algren was to American writing: that rare and absolutely necessary citizen who’s blessed with a cold eye, a clear head, and a warm heart. What is it about Chicago that keeps giving us men like this?” Russell Banks, Novelist “The best images of Simone de Beauvoir and her times have been passed down to us by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Gisele Freund, Robert Doisneau, Georges Brassai, and in America, the Chicago-based Art Shay, all world-class photographers.” Christophe Loviny, Art Editor, Paris “Art Shay is the best photo-journalist Chicago ever produced.” Arthur Siegel...

Category

1940s Contemporary Henry Diltz Art

Materials

Silver Leaf

Lombardi Huddle, Green Bay Packer Coach Vince Lombardi 1966 by Art Shay
Lombardi Huddle, Green Bay Packer Coach Vince Lombardi 1966 by Art Shay

Lombardi Huddle, Green Bay Packer Coach Vince Lombardi 1966 by Art Shay

By Art Shay

Located in Chicago, IL

Famed Green Bay Packer coach Vince Lombardi photographed at Lambeau Field in 1966 by Art Shay. The angle of this shot is particularly interesting. Art was definitely up close and personal with the coach and players that day! This photograph is not framed. Please contact the gallery for framing options. Art Shay Lombardi Huddle, 1966 silver gelatin print, printed later 20h x 16w in 50.80h x 40.64w cm ASY15080 “Art Shay’s photography shakes you up, sets you down gently, pats you on the head and then kicks you in the ass.” Roger Ebert “[Shay’s work] ranks with some of the greats of the 20th century.” Ellen & Richard Sandor, Renowned photo collectors “I’ve admired Art Shay’s work for almost forty years, and he keeps getting better. He can do anything with a camera, but what he mostly does is capture real moments and transform them into visual poetry. His work continues to be an inspiration to me.” William Friedkin, Director of French Connection “Art Shay is one of our finest photographers. His work over the past fifty years has artfully captured the beauty, humor, and pathos of America.” Studs Terkel “Art Shay is one of the best photojournalists I know. I’ve been a fan of his work since the early 1950s - before the launch of playboy magazine.” Hugh Hefner “Algren, Terkel, Royko, they gave us a voice. Art Shay gave us a face.” Tony Fitzpatrick, Chicago Artist “Art Shay is America’s Cartier-Bresson.” Thomas Dyja, author of The Third Coast “Chicago’s Art Shay in many ways is to American photography what Nelson Algren was to American writing: that rare and absolutely necessary citizen who’s blessed with a cold eye, a clear head, and a warm heart. What is it about Chicago that keeps giving us men like this?” Russell Banks, Novelist “The best images of Simone de Beauvoir and her times have been passed down to us by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Gisele Freund, Robert Doisneau, Georges Brassai, and in America, the Chicago-based Art Shay, all world-class photographers.” Christophe Loviny, Art Editor, Paris “Art Shay is the best photo-journalist Chicago ever produced.” Arthur Siegel...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Henry Diltz Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Previously Available Items
Janis Joplin

Henry DiltzJanis Joplin, 1969

Sold

H 24 in W 20 in D 0.01 in

Janis Joplin

By Henry Diltz

Located in Mount Pleasant, SC

Janis Joplin performing at Woodstock. 1969. Taken by the legendary photographer Henry Diltz Signed by photographer

Category

20th Century Contemporary Henry Diltz Art

Materials

Archival Pigment

The Doors "Pot".
The Doors "Pot".

Henry DiltzThe Doors "Pot"., 1969

Sold

H 20 in W 24 in D 0.01 in

The Doors "Pot".

By Henry Diltz

Located in Mount Pleasant, SC

The Doors on the Venice Beach Boardwalk in Los Angeles, CA. Taken by the legendary photographer Henry Diltz Signed and numbered by photographer

Category

20th Century Contemporary Henry Diltz Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Henry Diltz art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Henry Diltz art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of purple, blue and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Henry Diltz in silver gelatin print, pigment print, archival pigment print and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Henry Diltz art, so small editions measuring 14 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Drew Doggett, Alex Sher, and Ian Sanderson. Henry Diltz art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $800 and tops out at $9,500, while the average work can sell for $1,800.
Questions About Henry Diltz Art
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Henry Diltz uses a variety of cameras. For his famous photographs of musicians, he primarily relies on a Canon EOS 20D and a Nikon FM2 SLR. He first began photographing bands with a second-hand Japanese camera. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of Henry Diltz photographic art.