Aladdin’s Lamp, The Photography of Michael Jang

Michael Jang’s is a unique story.

For the last 40 years, he’s earned a living as a portrait photographer, capturing iconic figures such as Jimi Hendrix, Ronald Reagan, and Robin Williams, among others. However, this unassuming Asian-American photographer has also been simultaneously infiltrating and documenting a number of groups and subcultures from all strata of society: from celebrity parties in Beverly Hills to the youth of Castro’s Cuba, from South City gangs to Old West rodeos, and from the punk rock scene of the late 70s to the teenage garage bands of early the 2000s in San Francisco.

His images are allegories of particular points in time, characterized by their candid honesty, decisiveness, and vivacity. SFMoMA has recently acquired a number of his early prints and exhibited them alongside contemporaries such as Garry Winogrand, Diane Arbus, and Lee Friedlander.

We caught up with Michael and asked him about his Leica, which he refers to as his “Aladdin’s lamp”. Here is what he said:

“I was looking at this picture of my old Leica and realized it has been as powerful to me as Aladdin’s lamp. I have taken so many great images with it over the decades.”

 

David Bowie signing autographs in front of the Beverly Hilton. 1973.

David Bowie signing autographs in front of the Beverly Hilton. 1973.

Franks Sinatra being honored by the March of Dimes for Man of the year. Beverly Hilton. 1973

Frank Sinatra being honored by the March of Dimes for Man of the Year. Beverly Hilton. 1973

Family dogs corner a cat underneath the car.

Family dogs corner a cat underneath the car.

300,000 people stuck on the Golden Gate Bridge's Golden Anniversary. 1987

300,000 people stuck on the Golden Gate Bridge’s Golden Anniversary. 1987

Planet of the Apes beauty contest. Century City. 1972

Planet of the Apes beauty contest. Century City. 1972

Squirrel. Golden gate Park. 70's

Squirrel. Golden Gate Park. 70’s

The Hookers Ball. Cow Palace, San Francisco. 1978

The Hookers Ball. Cow Palace, San Francisco. 1978

Self Portrait. Financial District, San Francisco. 70's

Self portrait. Financial District, San Francisco. 70’s

My Aunts and Uncles. 70's

My aunts and uncles. 70’s

Cat in toilet

Cat in a toilet.

Ramones free concert in SF Civic Center. 1979

Ramones free concert in SF Civic Center. 1979.

Dog with Quaker Oats box

Dog with Quaker Oats box.

Freddie and the dogs. Newhall, Ca. 70's

Freddie and the dogs. Newhall, Ca. 70’s

Ali MacGraw at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. 70's

Ali MacGraw at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. 70’s

All these photos were shot on this Leica- the camera Michael Jang has used for 4 decades.

All these photos were shot on this Leica – the camera Michael Jang has used for four decades.

michaeljang.com

Want to stay up to date with Michael Jang’s amazing photography? Be sure to follow his awesome Instagram feed HERE! Guaranteed to inspire!

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