
Big Thrill #2
You’ve probably had a few of those “ton of bricks” moments when you suddenly realize something huge? Maybe you can barely stand, feel about 2 inches tall, can’t speak?
First: some boring background. When I was a kid the “Life” magazine book “Family of Man” had a big impact on me. I felt tremendous empathy for regular people photographed in ways that were both really personal and seemingly unobtrusive at the same time. Documentary style was for me.
From that, I can’t say I made up my mind when I was 10 to “be a photographer when I grow up”, but I guess the book showed me that beauty and drama exists in plenty of situations. It seemed important to look for it, recognize it, and that it was OK to let yourself be affected by it.
I didn’t really know the official term “photojournalism” nor John Filo’s name, but I certainly knew the photo he captured at Kent State. As a kid I’d been stunned by it long before I picked up a camera in high school.
One of my “ton of bricks” moments came on a regular night when I showed up as usual to the AP office to collect equipment before leaving for a baseball game, definitely not thinking about unforgettable moments in US history.
In those days of course, photojournalists in the field were also chemists within acidic, smelly and caustic darkened rooms, and I found John standing over a large tray, smoking his wonderful pipe, swishing a really big print back and forth in the Dektol.
As my eyes continued to adjust to the dim-orange light, the faint image began to emerge on the photographic paper. I said something goofy like “Wow, lookie there, it’s that photo”, self satisfied in my ability to impress my boss and recognize the emotional image. Then I saw several more copies hanging up to dry around the crowded room.
That’s about when things started spinning. Didn’t stop for about two days.
This professional photojournalist who gave me a chance.
This mentor and gentle man I had already worked with for a year.
This Master Teller of Hysterical Stories.
This was THE John Filo, the Kent State art student who was there, that day, to snap HIS Pulitzer prize-winning picture. He had come within feet of having a bullet hit him too.
“Yeah, the 10th anniversary is coming up and I got some requests for prints and stuff.”
This ton of bricks was also my Big Thrill #2.


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