Dennis Stock-Life-James Dean-Fairmount-Indiana-Magnum Photo Agency-1955- Slightly out of focus

In February 1955 Stock travelled to James Dean's home town of Fairmount, Indiana. Stock captured in his intimate portraits the last glimpse of the Mid-Western farm boy on the edge of stardom. East of Eden was released very soon after. They both travelled on to New York where Stock took the iconic image of Dean in the rain in Times Square. With the tragic death of Dean in September 1955 the images were imbued with a sombre poignancy, adding to the mythology of the moody method actor, an icon of misunderstood disaffected 1950's youth.