Cops, Criminals and a Camera in Between

Damaso, I studied with Angel nearly 30 years ago at the New School. He is the best. Wonderful photographer and a great person to boot; also has a wonderful sense of humor. One of my classmates was, oddly enough, a young lady with whom I'd gone to high school back in the Chicago area.... Long story short: She and Angel have now been married for something like 25+ years.
 
I ran into Angel one day in the mid 90's in the lobby of the Chrysler Building in NY and introduced myself. Really what I noticed was his camera, an M6, and I made a comment like "nice camera, dude" or something equally brilliant. He could not have been more gracious, and we chatted a short while about photography. My ears perk up whenever I hear his name. He was kinder than he had to be, certainly, to an awe-struck kid.
 
Angel is one of the great "unsung" hero's as a photographer. Haven't seen him for some time, but at one time he took me sightseeing around the city, Harlem, Hunts Point, The Bronx etc - at night of course. He is a compassionate shooter, roots for the under-dog without any false sentimentality - and he has great sense of humor to boot.
In one instance I was staying with him and he quietly emptied my bag from Tri X and replaced it with HP5. The night before we had discussed pro's and con's of these films. Everywhere in my jacket, my shoulder bag and travel bag there was foil wrapped HP5!!!!
He also knows the best places for a/ Cuban coffee and b/ cholesterol laden sandwiches.
Driving around at midnight we came across a knife fight. Being Angel, he jumped out of the car and explained to one of the participants "idiot, you keep the jacket over the OTHER arm to deflect the other guys knife!" The guys stopped and stared at him in disbelief. Angel then stated " Dominicans are you! You give us Puerto Ricans a bad name when you cant even fight properly" The guys started up again and Angel told them to move to the left as the light was better there! Police arrived and shook them down and we decided that we needed more coffee.
Best sightseeing of N.Y I have ever had!
 
robklurfield said:
Damaso, I forgot to thank you for sharing this link.
Click to expand...


Oh it was my pleasure. I just wanted to make sure people here saw it. Just goes to show how great Leicas are for actually doing news and documentary work. Also goes to how how much time and energy you have to put into a story sometimes...
 
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