5 November 1931 – 7 February 2012, was a Chilean photographer known for his street photography and his association with Magnum Photos during the 1960s. Born in Santiago into a prominent Chilean family, he began photographing in the late 1940s and later studied forestry in the United States before turning fully to photography.

His early work focused on street life, including photographs of homeless and street children in Santiago and other urban environments. After traveling through Europe and the Middle East, he worked as a freelance photographer and produced major series in cities such as London and Valparaíso. Henri Cartier-Bresson encouraged him to join Magnum Photos; he became an associate member in 1959 and a full member in 1961.

Larraín’s photographs are noted for their use of strong shadows, unusual angles, and carefully observed everyday scenes. A photograph he made near Notre Dame in Paris inspired Julio Cortázar’s short story Las babas del diablo, which later influenced Michelangelo Antonioni’s film Blow-Up (1966).

During the late 1960s he gradually withdrew from professional photography after becoming interested in spiritual teachings and meditation. He settled in a mountain village in northern Chile, where he lived in relative isolation, writing, practicing meditation, and continuing to photograph occasionally.

Photobooks play an important role in the dissemination of his work, including London 1958–59, Valparaíso, and later retrospective publications presenting his photographs of Chile and other locations.

Reference
Biography text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA), English edition. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergio_Larra%C3%ADn