RIP Jay Maisel: the New York photographer who shot one of history's most iconic album covers, made masterful use of light and color, and loved to pass on his knowledge to others

Jay Maisel, the renowned New York photographer behind one of history's most iconic album covers, has passed away at the age of 95. His passing has been met with tributes acknowledging both his exceptional work and his dedication to teaching. One notable anecdote about their relationship was shared by Stephen Wilkes, who directed a 2018 documentary about Maisel's life.

As a college student, Wilkes was captivated by three images in a Time-Life book, leading him to connect with Maisel. The conversation sparked a 50-year friendship that significantly influenced Wilkes.

Maisel's remarkable career began with formal education in painting and graphic design at Cooper Union and Yale, where he studied color theory under Josef Albers. This academic background influenced his photographic style, as he didn't merely point his camera at scenes but composed them like a painter. His most famous photograph, a 1959 portrait of Miles Davis, was featured on the cover of Kind of Blue, a jazz album that has sold the most copies ever.

Maisel's commercial career included work for Sports Illustrated and New York Magazine, but his personal work focusing on ordinary street scenes with exceptional use of light, gesture, and color is what continues to be studied and admired today. His home in the Bowery served as a studio and personal archive, open to anyone interested in learning from him.

After selling the building for $55 million in 2015, he passed his knowledge on through workshops, believing in sharing his principles of light, gesture, and color with the next generation of photographers. His death marks a significant loss, as few photographers leave behind a lasting impact through both their work and their teaching.