In the late 90s, I was fired from my position as the only and last staff photographer at LIFE. Even then, print is sliding economically, and LIFE is on a rough patch. I took about $3000 of my settlement and converted it into a ticket to Norilsk, in Siberia, one of the most bleakest places on earth, and home to one of the largest and most dangerous nickel deposits. most in terms of the existing environment.
I was passing through Moscow and learned that TIME magazine was preparing an issue of important individuals in history. I asked them to take pictures of Mikhail Gorbachev, the author of “glasnost,” which translates to “openness.” As a kid growing up in my 50s and 60s, doing duck and cover-up drills to get under my desk when the A-bomb hit, I simply wanted to meet the person who contributed to the demolition. Iron curtain. My concerns are personal, you see. I admire what he tried to do. TIME said they didn’t need him to take pictures, but they would watch my movies, and they allowed me to use the resources of the TIME office in Moscow. They assured me directly that they would not pay me for the photo, which has become an ongoing fact in the editorial photography market.
My “studio session” in his office was a total failure, below.
Summoning a little courage, I insisted on another location control session, and found a tree branch near the end of Kutuzovsky Prospekt, a famous avenue in Moscow. It took three days, but he agreed to come, mainly because in terms of editorial influence, TIME magazine really meant something at the time.
He wears a pair of fancy shoes, with protective detailing and his signature cap. He walked over to where I asked him to, and posed for about three minutes or so. I wanted him with this lonely forest in the background, because he’s an isolated figure in Russian history. Reformers felt his efforts for openness did not go far enough. The hardliners felt that he had given away the farm, and turned the once mighty and fearsome Soviet Union into an economic impoverished on the world stage. As with all individuals attempting change on a large scale, he is praised and vilified.
Now, a completely different Russian leader is at the helm, yearning for the years when fear of Russia sent children in faraway places racing to basements, fearful of what might come. may fall from the sky. He too, stands alone, not framed by snow and trees, but accompanied only by his own madness and cruelty.
Once again, the world is witnessing war and terror, and has had to act on the extraordinary reporting of journalists on the front lines in Ukraine. The photographers who work there are now following in the strong historical footsteps of photojournalists who have covered conflict, and informed, changed, and shaped the world’s attitudes with live reporting. their authority. Robert Capa, David Douglas Duncan, Catherine Leroy, Nik Ut, David Burnett, Dickey Chapelle, John Filo, Eddie Adams–And many others – all of which make the world stop and look. Now photographers such as Erin Schaff, Tyler Hicks and Lynsey Addarios, just to name a few, work with great risk to themselves, riveting, informing and horrifying us. They are supported by publications such as the New York Times and their agencies, such as AFP, Getty and Zuma Press.
For those who can assist, a great channel to support Ukraine is Direct help.
More tk….
Related
