EP32 - A Conversation with Wolf Suschitzky

EP32 – Wolf Suschitzky

Show Notes

In this episode, I sit down with Wolf Suschitzky, legendary photographer and cinematographer. We met at his home in Little Venice, London, where we talked about his incredible career, spanning over 70 years in both photography and film.

Born in Vienna in 1912, Wolf fled Austria in 1934 as the political climate worsened for Jews. Settling in London, he quickly established himself as a cinematographer and photographer. Over his career, he worked on over 200 films, including Get Carter, Ulysses, Ring of Bright Water, Entertaining Mr. Sloane, and the film adaptation of Rising Damp.

Wolf’s early career was shaped by the British documentary movement, working with John Grierson and pioneering filmmakers such as Harry Watt and Paul Rotha. He was cameraman for Night Mail (1936), the iconic documentary with narration by W.H. Auden and music by Benjamin Britten. His cinematography in World of Plenty (1943) helped define the humanistic style of British documentary filmmaking.

Beyond film, Suschitzky was a renowned social documentarian, photographing London’s street markets, working-class life, children, and laborers. His work in Charing Cross Road, Soho, and post-war Britain captured the texture of everyday life with rare intimacy.

This conversation offers a glimpse into Wolf’s thoughts on photography, cinematography, and the art of capturing reality. Though frail, his mind remained sharp, and his love for his craft was undiminished.

 

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Links & References

Wolf Suschitzky

• Biography & Legacy – National Galleries of Scotland

• Books & Photography

• Charing Cross Road in the Thirties – Amazon

• Street Markets of London – Photobook Details

• Exhibitions – Wolf Suschitzky at the Photographers’ Gallery

Notable Films (Cinematography by Suschitzky)

• Get Carter (1971) – IMDb

• Ulysses (1967) – IMDb

• Ring of Bright Water (1969) – IMDb

• Entertaining Mr. Sloane (1970) – IMDb

• Rising Damp (1980) – IMDb

Key Figures & Collaborators

• John Grierson (Father of British Documentary Film) – Biography

• Harry Watt (Filmmaker, Night Mail) – Biography

• Paul Rotha (Director, World of Plenty) – Biography

• W.H. Auden (Poet, Night Mail) – Biography

• Benjamin Britten (Composer, Night Mail) – Biography

Films Mentioned

• Night Mail (1936) – BFI Player

• World of Plenty (1943) – BFI Screen Online

 

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Notable Publications:

• "Photographing Children" (1940): A guide offering insights into capturing the essence of childhood through photography.

• "Photographing Animals" (1941): This book provides techniques and tips for photographing animals, with a foreword by Julian Huxley.

• "Seven Decades of Photography" (2006): A retrospective collection showcasing Suschitzky's black and white prints spanning over seventy years, selected by the artist himself.
  amazon.com

• "Work" (2020): A compilation focusing on Suschitzky's portrayal of labor and working environments, reflecting his deep engagement with social themes.

Notable Exhibitions:

• "A Grand Tour: Amsterdam, London, Paris etc. in the 1930s, 40s & 50s" (2006): Held at The Photographers' Gallery in London, this exhibition featured Suschitzky's works capturing urban life across major European cities during the mid-20th century.
  photography-now.com

• "Wolf Suschitzky – No Resting Place" (2020): Hosted by Fotohof in Salzburg, this exhibition showcased a comprehensive collection of Suschitzky's works, emphasizing his contributions to photography and cinematography.

• "Crawley New Town Seen Through the Lens of Wolf Suschitzky" (February 6 – March 29, 2025): Displayed at Crawley Museum, this exhibition featured photographs capturing the early development of Crawley New Town, returning to the public eye after six decades.
  blogs.brighton.ac.uk

• "Wolf Suschitzky Photography Prize 2023" Exhibition: Organized by the Austrian Cultural Forum London, this exhibition showcased works by winners and shortlisted photographers, celebrating Suschitzky's legacy and influence on contemporary photography.
  acflondon.org