Documentary photographer Mary Ellen Mark, called "a snake charmer of the soul" for her gift of capturing searing images of human vulnerability, died on Monday at a New York hospital after a long battle with a blood illness caused by bone marrow failure, reported AP.
Interestingly, the veteran photographer, who was no stranger to India (here is a series she did on the prostitutes of Bombay's Falkland Road), could also boast of a Bollywood connection.
Sad to read about Mary Ellen Mark. In the early 90s,I worked with her on a shoot for Premiere mag. Here are the pics: pic.twitter.com/zRe9JKv43Y
— Anupama Chopra (@anupamachopra) May 28, 2015
Noted film journalist Anupama Chopra said on Twitter, "Sad to read about Mary Ellen Mark. In the early 90s, I worked with her on a shoot for Premiere magazine."
Mary Ellen Mark shoots Bollywood: pic.twitter.com/nWp8YOi1Hj
— Anupama Chopra (@anupamachopra) May 28, 2015
She also shared photographs from the same photo shoot of actors Amrish Puri, Salman Khan, Salman Khan, Sridevi, Sanjay Dutt, Rekha and Jackie Shroff, on Twitter.
Mary Ellen Mark shoots Bollywood: pic.twitter.com/74akBLtYE2
— Anupama Chopra (@anupamachopra) May 28, 2015
Mark had travelled in Mumbai in the '80s. She had lived in the city for over three months and extensively photographed the brothels of the city.
Mary Ellen Mark shoots Bollywood: pic.twitter.com/5Ahs3JkcrB
— Anupama Chopra (@anupamachopra) May 28, 2015
Mark is survived by her husband, filmmaker Martin Bell, who directed the documentary 'Streetwise' based on her images.
Mary Ellen Mark shoots Bollywood: pic.twitter.com/y3aJ5gZSKb
— Anupama Chopra (@anupamachopra) May 28, 2015
(With inputs from agencies)
Contact HuffPost India