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New York in Black and White
New York in Black and White
Jean-Pierre Laffont
April 7, 2026
© Jean-Pierre Laffont, from the series New York Noir
Jean-Pierre Laffont (b. 1935) is recognised as one of the most important French-American photographers of the twentieth century, renowned for his powerful black-and-white works. The exhibition at the Leica Store Miami comprises 27 gallery prints along with a digital slide projection of street photographs capturing the restless energy and raw intensity of New York.
“When I arrived as a young Frenchman in 1964, New York City was chaotic, dirty, gritty, loud and dangerous, but it was also attractive, provocative, brave, enchanting, joyous and free,” Laffont explains.
Working with grainy film, he went on to craft bold, graphic compositions defined by deep blacks and luminous whites – an aesthetic that echoes the visual language and psychological tension of classic Film Noir. “AlI my wildest dreams came true in New York – and I hope my photos captured a city that I viewed critically but affectionately, and to which I bear an immense gratitude.”
Katrin Ullmann“When I arrived as a young Frenchman in 1964, New York City was chaotic, dirty, gritty, loud and dangerous, but it was also attractive, provocative, brave, enchanting, joyous and free,” Laffont explains.
Working with grainy film, he went on to craft bold, graphic compositions defined by deep blacks and luminous whites – an aesthetic that echoes the visual language and psychological tension of classic Film Noir. “AlI my wildest dreams came true in New York – and I hope my photos captured a city that I viewed critically but affectionately, and to which I bear an immense gratitude.”
ALL IMAGES ON THIS PAGE: © Jean-Pierre Laffont
Jean-Pierre Laffont+-
Born on January 29, 1935 in Algeria, educated in Morocco until 1955. Studied Photography at the Arts et Métiers in Vevey, Switzerland, graduating with a Master’s Degree in 1959. Studio assistant for star photographers Sam Levin and Choura in Paris from 1957. Military service in Algeria. Portrait and fashion photographer in Paris and on film sets for MGM in Rome. Settled in the US in 1964. Married to Eliane Lucotte since 1966. The couple founded the US office of the French Gamma agency and, in 1973, Sygma Photo News. Worldwide publications, including in Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, Paris Match, Figaro Magazine and Stern. Numerous awards, including the National French Order of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 1996, Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in 2023 and the Hermione Award in 2025. More
© Jean-Pierre Laffont, from the series New York Noir
© Jean-Pierre Laffont, from the series New York Noir
© Jean-Pierre Laffont, from the series New York Noir
© Jean-Pierre Laffont, from the series New York Noir