Photography Showcase | Santa Fe Photography Exhibit

John Dominis

Santa Fe - Monroe Gallery of Photography, 112 Don Gaspar, is pleased to announce a major exhibition celebrating the career of the legendary LIFE magazine photographer John Dominis, now age 87. The exhibition opens with a public reception on November 28 from 5 - 8, and will continue through January 25, 2008.

Jacques D'Amboise Playing with his Sons, Seattle, Washington, 1962

The exhibition of more than 60 photographs features numerous classic images and never-before-exhibited photographs that are sure to surprise and intrigue. Included are historic vintage photographs - the actual prints used for LIFE magazine stories, with important archive information inscribed and stamped on the back of each photograph.

John Dominis was born June 27, 1921 in Los Angeles and attended the University of Southern California, where he majored in cinematography. However, he credits a teacher, C. A. Bach, from Fremont High that offered a three-year course in photography for his skills. Remembers Dominis, "He'd give assignments, ball you out, make you reshoot." Eight of the photographers that Bach trained later got staff jobs with LIFE magazine. From 1943 to 1947 Dominis served as a second lieutenant in the U. S. Air Force photographic department. After three years as a free-lance photographer, he became a member of the LIFE staff in 1950.

A consummate photojournalist, Dominis covered the Korean War for LIFE, and recorded the beginning of what became the Vietnam War. He photographed the firing of General Douglas MacArthur, and he covered John F. Kennedy's emotional "I am a Berliner" speech.

Dominis traveled the world constantly, and in 1966 he made two long trips to Africa to photograph the "big cats": leopards, cheetahs, and lions for a remarkable series of picture essays in LIFE which later became the basis for a book. This project resulted in several awards for Dominis, including Magazine Photographer of the Year (1966). Dominis covered five Olympics, capturing the now-iconic "Black Power Salute" by Tommie Smith and John Carlos after winning Olympic medals during the 1968 Mexico games. Dominis was the LIFE photographer assigned to the Woodstock Festival, and represented both TIME and LIFE during President Richard Nixon's 1972 trip to China. Many of the editors and photo-chiefs at LIFE considered Dominis to be the best all-around photographer on staff. After LIFE ceased regular publication, Dominis worked for People and Sports Illustrated.

Please click here to see other photographs by John Dominis.

Steve McQeen and his wife, Neile Adams, in sulphur bath, Big Sur, California, 1963	Steve McQueen after motorcycle race, Mojave Desert, 1963	Frank Sinatra, Miami, 1965

Frank Sinatra yanks tablecloth, Miami, 1965	Propman and rubber rocks, Universal City, Hollywood, 1963	Frank Sinatra and Jackie Gleason, 1965

Going Fishing, Texas, 1952	Two Boys, Thailand, 1956	Broad Jump Competition, New Orleans, 1949

Two Children in Coal Mining Town in Hellier, Kentucky, 1964	Dori and Paul Dominis and Ahchou at Play, Hong Kong, 1957	Davy Crockett Craze, Chicago 1955

Mickey Mantle Having A Bad Day At Yankee Stadium, New York, 1965	Chicago Cub's Ernie Banks at bat, Chicago, 1955	1968 Olympics Black Power salute, by John Dominis ©Time Inc

Southern Pacific Engine, Donner Pass, California 1949	Robert Redford, Sundance, Utah, 1969	Ben Hogan, Monterey, California, 1954

Woodstock, 1969 ( LIFE Magazine)	Horned Toad Derby, Eastland, Texas, 1951

VINTAGE PRINTS
Jacques D'Amboise, New York City Ballet, "A Mid-summer Night's Dream" c. 1962-3	Jacques D'Amboise, New York City Ballet, after performing "Apollo", 1962	Jacques D'Amboise and son Christopher, 1963

Jacques D'Amboise, New York City Ballet, 1963	President John F. Kennedy visiting Berlin, 1963	President John F. Kennedy looking over Berlin wall to Eastern Sector, 1963

American General Matthew B. Ridgeway, 1961 - Life Cover	Steve McQueen in his sports car, 1963	Chinese Premiere Chou En Lai and US President Richard Nixon toast each other, Peking, 1972

Click here to view our Archived Gallery Showcase

the year

Tony Vaccaro