In 1949, Look magazine sent its young photojournalist Stanley Kubrick on assignment to shoot pictures for a story documenting people’s life in the city of Chicago. You can see Volume 1 of his photos here. The series of photographs was accompanied by an essay from the Chicago Sun-Times columnist Irv Kupcinet that looked into the city’s social and economic contrasts.
![Stanley kubrick chicago](https://flashbak.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/mage-from-LOOK-Job-49-O77-titled-University-of-Michigan.jpeg)
University of Michigan staff by Stanley Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick (July 26, 1928 – March 7, 1999) started to work for Look in 1945 and finished in 1950. In 1949 shot “Chicago City of Contrasts”, a series os images taken in Kodak Super XX Large format film depicting street life, workers, wrestling – his pictures of Gorgeous George putting on a show are here – boxing, money market traders, the deprived and the lucky.
![stanley kubrick chicago](https://flashbak.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Image-from-LOOK-Job-49-U9-titled-Traveling-saleswoman.jpeg)
The sales people
![](https://flashbak.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Men-working-the-floor-at-the-Chicago-Board-of-Trade-1949.jpeg)
Men working the floor at the Chicago Board of Trade 1949
![Men working the floor at the Chicago Board of Trade 1949](https://flashbak.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Men-working-the-floor-at-the-Chicago-Board-of-Trade.jpeg)
Chicago Board of Trade 1949
![Men, probably commuters, walking along a platform next to a train] : Stanley Kubrick Chicago 1949](https://flashbak.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Men-probably-commuters-walking-along-a-platform-next-to-a-train-Stanley-Kubrick-Chicago-1949.jpeg)
Men, probably commuters, walking along a platform next to a train] : Stanley Kubrick Chicago 1949
![](https://flashbak.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Overhead-view-of-the-22L22-elevated-railway-in-Chicago-Illinois-1949.jpeg)
Overhead view of the L elevated railway in Chicago, Illinois 1949
![](https://flashbak.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Rocky-Graziano-Names-Kubrick-Stanley-photographer-Created-Published-1949-Oct.-27.jpeg)
Rocky Graziano – by Stanley Kubrick, 1949 Oct. 27
![Steel worker in mill as molten steel spills from vat, in Chicago, Illinois](https://flashbak.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Steel-worker-in-mill-as-molten-steel-spills-from-vat-in-Chicago-Illinois.jpeg)
Steel worker in mill as molten steel spills from vat, in Chicago, Illinois
![](https://flashbak.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Unidentified-man-standing-among-a-group-of-men-following-the-developments-on-the-trade-board-at-the-Chicago-Board-of-Trade.jpeg)
Unidentified man standing among a group of men following the developments on the trade board at the Chicago Board of Trade
![University of Michigan student nurse](https://flashbak.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/University-of-Michigan-student-nurse.jpeg)
University of Michigan student nurse
![View from above of automobile and pedestrians on street below the L elevated railway in Chicago, Illinois](https://flashbak.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/View-from-above-of-automobile-and-pedestrians-on-street-below-the-22L22-elevated-railway-in-Chicago-Illinois.jpeg)
View from above of automobile and pedestrians on street below the L elevated railway in Chicago, Illinois
![](https://flashbak.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/view-of-the-22L22-elevated-railway-in-Chicago-Illinois-1949.jpeg)
View of the L elevated railway in Chicago, Illinois 1949
![](https://flashbak.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Bodybuilder-Gene-Jantzen-with-wife-Pat-and-eleven-month-old-son-Kent.jpeg)
Gene Jantzen and his wife Pt with their 11-month-old son Kent
![](https://flashbak.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Family-dining-in-the-Pump-Room-at-the-Ambassador-East-Hotel-in-Chicago-showing-the-maitre-dhotel-arranging-display-of-food-on-a-rolling-tray-and-a-chef-carving-meat-next-to-the-table-1949.jpeg)
Family dining in the Pump Room at the Ambassador East Hotel in Chicago, showing the maitre d’hôtel arranging display of food on a rolling tray and a chef carving meat next to the table 1949
Would you like to support Flashbak?
Please consider making a donation to our site. We don't want to rely on ads to bring you the best of visual culture. You can also support us by signing up to our Mailing List. And you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For great art and culture delivered to your door, visit our shop.