Directed by
Blue, Carroll Parrott, American, 1943 - 2019
Subject of
DeCarava, Roy, American, 1919 - 2009
Narrated by
Haley, Alex, American, 1921 - 1992
Subject of
Schmidt Campbell, Mary, American, born 1947
Owned by
D.C. Public Library, American, founded 1896
Date
1984
Medium
polyester film
Dimensions
Duration: 24 Minutes
Length (Film): 900 Feet
Caption
Carroll Blue’s 1983 short documentary, Conversations with Roy DeCarava, gives a brief but salient overview of the life and career of 20th century photographer Roy DeCarava. DeCarava is known for his striking images of Black life in Harlem as well as his Jazz Photography, where he captured some of jazz’s most prominent figures like Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, and Billie Holiday. DeCarava’s photographic images shown throughout the film highlight his extensive portfolio while also providing a visual history of Black life and culture.
This film was a part of the Washington D.C. Public Library's circulating 16mm film collection housed at the Martin Luther King Jr. Central Library. The collection is particularly noted for the wide variety of African American and African diaspora content.
Description
A documentary film with the title Conversations with Roy DeCarava. It consists of a single reel of color 16mm polyester film with optical sound.
Through the use of DeCarava’s still photography and first-hand interviews with him and his closest friends and family, the documentary examines Roy DeCarava’s life and career as one of the most prominent photographers of the 20th century. Other notable individuals featured in the documentary include photographer Ansel Adams, photography critic A.D. Coleman, and then executive director of the Studio Museum in Harlem, Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell.
Place used
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
Place filmed
Harlem, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
DC Public Library Film Collection
Classification
Time-based Media - Moving Images
Type
sound films
color films (visual works)
short subjects
16mm (photographic film size)
Topic
Documentary films
Film
Men
Photography
Profile films
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2017.55.62.1a
Restrictions & Rights
Restrictions likely apply. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5b60e2282-3197-4d82-8f5d-47fb15c4b5ca

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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