Swerman studied filmmaking and videography at the School of Visual Arts and The New York School of Photography. His reportage work of the culture of the late 60's through the mid-70's has been published worldwide. Swerman was among the first photographers to document the proliferating phenomenon of graffiti in New York CIty. His coverage of graffiti as art was showcased in a cover story in the prestigious Print Magazine and in numerous books on the graffiti scene. His photography has been celebrated in solo exhibits in New York City, Martha's Vineyard, Philadelphia and Los Angeles and his work is found in collections throughout the world.