Amsterdam, 10 March 1925 – 28 December 1990

Photographer and filmmaker. For 40 years he represented his encounters with people in photo's, photo books and films. His schooling (at the Fotovakschool in The Hague and the Kunstnijverheidschool in Amsterdam) did not fit the nature of his work, but has nevertheless trained him technically and artistically.

He preferred to aim his camera at distinctive and striking individuals. In 1956 he first came out with his photo book 'Een liefdesgeschiedenis in Saint Germain des Prés' ('A love story in Saint Germain des Prés'). Later on he also made a number of (autobiographical) television films. Van der Elsken developed street photography as a photographic genre. He died on 28 December 1990 from cancer.

Broadcasting in the Netherlands