New Four Minute Video with Abe

[JohnTF]

Good thing we got the basics when we were in Camera Club back in Junior High. Turns out he had only been in the US a couple of years then, but I grew up in a community where everyone seemed to have at least two silent "J" s in their names.

Saw Abe ten years later, sent him up to the campus newspaper office, my friend Steve put a camera in his hands-- and things became quite interesting after that.

Abe met in and left Cleveland to study with Minor White in NY, and what you would call a career.

Hope the link works:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2hoJzR3Co0

Regards, John

 

[Jamie Pillers]

John,
Thanks for the link and for the opportunity to hear a fine photographer talk about their passion. I didn't recognize Abe's name, but I'd seen his photographs before. I always love hearing (or reading) an artist talk about their reasons for pursuing art. Thank you.
_ Jamie

 

[JohnTF]

Jamie,

His journey is an interesting one, my life has had several touches with his since school, but I have not spoken to him face to face since the 70's.

He dated one of the parents of my students, and a number of my students were featured in his Aperture issue, I think largely shot in Cleveland.

Just a week or so ago I was waiting for my latest masterpieces to roll off the printer when the lady next to me was talking about her grand daughter's photos and she knew Abe and his adopted family quite well-- she had been a pro in Cleveland, back in the day.

There is a revival of the old hippy Hessler Rd. Festival today, Abe told me he sold prints there about 1971 for $7 and said he thought he was doing great at that. I think about three zeros more x two would be the rate today.

I believe Abe had an exhibit in Cologne, either at the last Photokina, or at the same time.

His work is in serious museums, and the Kodak grant to photograph the world's great photographers must have been quite the trip.

We did not hand him a Leica when he started, but he got one soon enough.

Close to 46K hits on Google, and you are right.

Regards, John

 

[robert blu]

Very interesting, thanks for the link. it was a pleasure and, maybe I learned somethimg...
robert

 

[Godfrey]

A good piece, thanks for sharing it. I was unfamiliar with his name but recognized several of the photos.

G

 

[JohnTF]

Glad to see some enjoyed it, to me, he was just an old friend I gave a bit of help to-- who I know became very serious about his chosen field.

I thought he told me back then he had just gotten a Masters in English? at Northwestern-- and he had not done photography since grade 7, -- he certainly made up for it, a significant figure.

I took several classes in advanced photography through CWRU, and the art institute-- the instructor was the person, I believe, who had invited Minor White to visit--

I like the connections that get made and lead to some significant conclusions.

Other than the terrific work he did for the University Newspaper, I had been rather oblivious, until I came across Figments, and somehow brought up his name with the local artist who was the parent of two of my students.

She ran her studio and was inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe -- and I have that portrait by Fiori hanging in the house, one of a short series of serigraphs Susan was quite well known for.

Regards, John

 

[gb hill]

Thanks John for sharing both the video & your aquaintance/friendship with Abe Frajndlich. Haven't heard of him so it's always good to learn of someone new.
I also find it interesting just how much of a tight knit community photographers really are.

 

[JohnTF]

I know we all had box cameras in the club. ;-)

Do a search and check out his Bio-- there is a whole lot more.

Regards, John