As a member of the legendary LIFE Magazine photographers staff for over

25 years, Yale Joel's work appeared on LIFE covers, in news stories, and many

memorable photo essays.

In a career that spanned the years from 1939 to the late 1980's, Joel photographed

many of the world's most famous (and infamous) individuals, as well as

significant moments in history, now captured forever in his images.

He pioneered the exploration of extreme wide angle photography and the use of

strobe light, creating special effects and carefully orchestrating setups to

communicate the essential nature of a subject. He developed a reputation as

the “photographer of the impossible”.

Joel twice won the esteemed “Magazine Photographer of the Year” award from

the University of Missouri School of Journalism, plus numerous other awards

over the years. The New York Times, reviewing his one-man show at

The Overseas Press Club noted: “Whatever the topic for the photographer,

whether taken flat-on or with flashy technique, Mr. Joel says something.”

A perfectionist when it came to the print quality of photographs, and an expert

printer himself, he would spend hours in the “lab”, making many prints of a

single image until he was satisfied it reflected exactly what he had in mind.

The photographs displayed here, from Yale Joel's personal collection, are

images from his most engaging photo stories. They reflect no only his artistic

sensibilities but also his understanding of and empathy for his subjects.

Yale Joel died in 2006 in New York City. He was 87 years old.

Black & White Magazine's October 2009 issue featured a spotlight article on

Yale Joel.

Yale Joel