MSU alumnus and former State News photographer Doug Elbinger is exhibiting his collection of celebrity photographs at the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbott Road, through the month of September.
The library, equipped with computers, special programs and mounds of helpful reference books, is the perfect place for a student to do either homework or simply peruse the art gallery, said Pat Risk, director of the art gallery at the East Lansing Public Library.
"If they want to see pictures of historical people, there are photographs of famous people from the '60s on," Risk said about Elbinger's exhibit.
The art gallery is currently jam-packed with 22 black-and-white photographs of legendary musicians, inclidung John Lennon, Elton John, George Harrison, Bonnie Raitt and Tina Turner.
"It turned out to be mostly musicians," Elbinger said of his "Legends" exhibit. "But I also have some writers and a photo of Bob Hope."
Many of the photos were taken in Michigan, with some taken in East Lansing and Detroit, he said.
"The Rolling Stones played at Spartan Stadium seven or eight years ago," Elbinger said. "So I got up on stage and took some pictures."
Out of all of his photographs, Elbinger said there are a few drawing more attention from college students than others.
"Kids are coming to see Tom Waits because he seems to be a real hot item right now," Elbinger said. "And The Beatles are always interesting."
Students should take the time to check out the photos while in the library because not only does Elbinger have a national reputation, but he also is known internationally, said library director Sylvia Marabate.
"Anybody interested in photography, popular culture or who just enjoys that kind of thing would benefit from it," Marabate said.
Roughly 6-7,000 people come into the library over the span of a week, she said.
Elbinger first started his career when he shot photos of The Beatles at a Detroit concert in 1966.
"I worked with a professional photographer when I was in high school and that's how I shot The Beatles," Elbinger said. "I had no idea that when I was on stage with The Beatles, the pictures I took would be history - and now they are."
From there, Elbinger became a student photographer for The State News and then worked for United Press International.
Throughout his life, Elbinger has had photographs in the Detroit Free Press, the New York Times, Newsweek, Time, the Washington Post, People and numerous other publications.
For aspiring photographers, Elbinger stressed the importance of being prepared for any situation imaginable.
"Carry your camera with you all of the time and take lots of pictures," he said. "Because, like anything else, the more you practice, the better you get."
