Show off your LEGENDARY

My wife a couple of minutes ago - "Why are you still looking at that ugly bird photograph?"

And I do understand her. It's a legitimate question. I have no answer. But it is, right now, without a doubt the most beautiful picture in the whole wide world. Tomorrow things will change, I hope.

But this very simple and slightly uncanny image has built a nest in my brain and refuses to leave. Bill Brandt, what were you thinking?


thatuglybird.jpg
 
Kent_State_massacre.jpg

John Filo's Pulitzer Prize–winning photograph of Mary Ann Vecchio kneeling over the dead body of Jeffrey Miller minutes after the unarmed student was fatally shot by an Ohio National Guardsman

en.m.wikipedia.org

John Filo - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org en.m.wikipedia.org
The Kent State shooting by members of the Ohio National Guard occurred at Kent State University in the city of Kent, Ohio on May 4, 1970, and resulted in the deaths of four students. At the time John Filo was in the university student photography lab when the shots rang out. He quickly ran outside and below recalls what happened:

The bullets were supposed to be blanks. When I put the camera back to my eye, I noticed a particular guardsman pointing at me. I said, "I'll get a picture of this," and his rifle went off. And almost simultaneously, as his rifle went off, a halo of dust came off a sculpture next to me, and the bullet lodged in a tree.
I dropped my camera in the realization that it was live ammunition. I don't know what gave me the combination of innocence and stupidity ... I started to flee – run down the hill and stopped myself. "Where are you going?" I said to myself, "This is why you are here!"
And I started to take pictures again. ... I knew I was running out of film. I could see the emotion welling up inside of her. She began to sob. And it culminated in her saying an exclamation. I can't remember what she said exactly ... something like, "Oh, my God!"
— John Filo talking about the Kent State shootings[7]
Click to expand...
To take the picture Filo used a Nikkormat camera with Tri-X film and most of the exposures were 1/500 between 5.6 and f 8 depending on whether the sun was behind a cloud or not.[7]
 
Last edited:
These two - again Pulitzer Prize winners - were closer to home as I lived outside Boston in the suburbs during this time.

Unfortunately, the first was as tragic as the Kent State photo - (although positive fire escape legislation was adopted because of the incident).

Pulitzer – Stanley Forman Photos

stanleyformanphotos.com stanleyformanphotos.com

Stanley Forman has received three Pulitzer Prizes for photography. Below are images of two of them.

A 19-year-old woman and her 2-year-old goddaughter fall from a collapsed fire escape on July 22, 1975

Fire Escape Collapse​

On July 22, 1975 in Boston, a 19-year-old and her 2-year-old goddaughter were trapped in a burning building. A firefighter, Robert O’Neill, shielded them from the flames as an aerial ladder inched closer. Then the fire escape collapsed. Although the woman died from her injuries, the infant survived. Fire Escape Collapse circulated around the world. The photo led to the passage of new fire escape legislation across the country. It provided Stanley Forman with his first of two Pulitzer Prizes for spot news photography.
click here to purchase Stanley's images

Soiling of Old Glory​

The photograph depicts a white teenager, Joseph Rakes, about to assault black lawyer and civil-rights activist Ted Landsmark with a flagpole bearing the American flag. It was taken in Boston on April 5, 1976, during a protest against court-ordered desegregation busing. It ran on the front page of the Herald American the next day, and also appeared in several newspapers across the country. It won the 1977 Pulitzer Prize for Spot Photography.
click here to purchase Stanley's images
FlagLarge-1024x823.jpg


That battle-hardened Nikon F rig is a thing of beauty!

About Stanley Forman – Stanley Forman Photos

stanleyformanphotos.com stanleyformanphotos.com

Stanley J. Forman, Pulitzer Prize Winning Photographer
 
Last edited:
raydm6 said:
These two - again Pulitzer Prize winners - were closer to home as I lived outside Boston in the suburbs during this time.

Unfortunately, the first was as tragic as the Kent State photo - (although positive fire escape legislation was adopted because of the incident).

Pulitzer – Stanley Forman Photos

stanleyformanphotos.com stanleyformanphotos.com

Stanley Forman has received three Pulitzer Prizes for photography. Below are images of two of them.

A 19-year-old woman and her 2-year-old goddaughter fall from a collapsed fire escape on July 22, 1975

Fire Escape Collapse​

On July 22, 1975 in Boston, a 19-year-old and her 2-year-old goddaughter were trapped in a burning building. A firefighter, Robert O’Neill, shielded them from the flames as an aerial ladder inched closer. Then the fire escape collapsed. Although the woman died from her injuries, the infant survived. Fire Escape Collapse circulated around the world. The photo led to the passage of new fire escape legislation across the country. It provided Stanley Forman with his first of two Pulitzer Prizes for spot news photography.
click here to purchase Stanley's images

Soiling of Old Glory​

The photograph depicts a white teenager, Joseph Rakes, about to assault black lawyer and civil-rights activist Ted Landsmark with a flagpole bearing the American flag. It was taken in Boston on April 5, 1976, during a protest against court-ordered desegregation busing. It ran on the front page of the Herald American the next day, and also appeared in several newspapers across the country. It won the 1977 Pulitzer Prize for Spot Photography.
click here to purchase Stanley's images
FlagLarge-1024x823.jpg


That battle-hardened Nikon F rig is a thing of beauty!

About Stanley Forman – Stanley Forman Photos

stanleyformanphotos.com stanleyformanphotos.com

Stanley J. Forman, Pulitzer Prize Winning Photographer
Click to expand...

We have a very violent domestic history.
 
Another Boston Legendary photograph:
deadspin.com

Deadspin | The Story Behind Hockey's Most Famous Photo

Deadspin | The Story Behind Hockey's Most Famous Photo
deadspin.com deadspin.com

gs9khvetpbkqombvzfv5.jpg

Ray Lussier’s photograph of Bobby Orr immediately after he scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal for the Boston Bruins in Game 4 of the 1970 Finals

ptixzs650alwuowtszbh.jpg


Ray Lussier’s strip of Bobby Orr’s Cup-winning goal.
 
Dogman said:
Stanley Forman was a hero to me. I started working as a newspaper shooter in 1975. When newspapers were...well, you know.
Click to expand...
His former paper is now the Boston Herald and the newsstand price for the daily is $4.50! Not sure who is buying it and it is paper-thin (no pun intended).

Years ago, I loved buying the daily paper as it was feature rich. Not anymore unfortunately.
 
1727016593095.png
I had an appointment to view some photos at the university of Arizona center for creative photography in Tucson. Your given two hours to view a photographer of their archives, witch are extensive. I had chosen W Eugene Smiths "Nurse Midwife" and "Pittsburg" portfolios. While waiting to go in the person working there said the gentleman viewing now had also chosen Smiths work, only WWII images. I was welcomed in to view with him as long as I did not disturb his viewing. I stayed a few images away from him. An elderly man in western garb.

He walked over to me and pointed out this image. In the one on display his comrades around him were visable. He said I'm in this image, can you pick me out? I looked at him then all these twenty somethin Gi's all grubby and unshaven and could not make out who he was. He pointed to the man on the stretcher and said that's me. Looking at the wounded soldier I thought he would be blind and have brain damage, yet here he was telling the story and showing the scars.

His son had seen the image in a magazine article and knowing his father fought on Okinawa showed it to him They contacted the magazine and fount the image was at the center for creative photography. They told the center their story and the center offered to make a print for him. So he traveled to Tucson from California and received the print.

That encounter made my trip. I was blessed to have been able to learn his story and have that experiance.
 
I can't say this image is legendary unless in my own mind.

I did have the privilege and responsibility of covering the space program for my newspaper. STS-121, the only shuttle launched on 07/04/2006, the only Shuttle launch on the 4th of July, an important date in the USA. I was free to choose how I thought best to illustrate the event for my paper. I thought this worked well, it was picked up by the A.P. and appeared in other papers on July 5.

Done with a Canon 1D MK IIn with a Vivitar Series 1 600mm f/8.0 solid cat mirror lens. I chose it as it was much more portable than the alternative, an EF 500mm f/4.5. Autofocus wasn't an issue as the shuttle was way out there from the NASA press center and the distance was more or less fixed. I just had to nail focus to begin with.


STS-121_SU.JPG

Four columns vertical on Page One was pretty nice display. The bosses liked it.

As to the flag waving, I've often said, as have many before me: I'd rather be lucky than good. A little talent doesn't hurt, either.
 
Last edited:
phojsu said:
I can't say this image is legendary unless in my own mind.

I did have the privilege and responsibility of covering the space program for my newspaper. STS-121, the only shuttle launched on 07/04/2006, the only Shuttle launch on the 4th of July, an important date in the USA. I was free to choose how I thought best to illustrate the event for my paper. I thought this worked well, it was picked up by the A.P. and appeared in other papers on July 5.

Done with a Canon 1D MK IIn with a Vivitar Series 1 600mm f/8.0 solid cat mirror lens. I chose it as it was much more portable than the alternative, an EF 500mm f/4.5. Autofocus wasn't an issue as the shuttle was way out there from the NASA press center and the distance was more or less fixed. I just had to nail focus to begin with.


View attachment 4847667

Four columns vertical on Page One was pretty nice display. The bosses liked it.
Click to expand...
Excellent shot!
 
Sooooo… still your fave?

Rikard said:
My wife a couple of minutes ago - "Why are you still looking at that ugly bird photograph?"

And I do understand her. It's a legitimate question. I have no answer. But it is, right now, without a doubt the most beautiful picture in the whole wide world. Tomorrow things will change, I hope.

But this very simple and slightly uncanny image has built a nest in my brain and refuses to leave. Bill Brandt, what were you thinking?


View attachment 4845018
Click to expand...
 
Most excellent shot. Legendary, yes.

phojsu said:
I can't say this image is legendary unless in my own mind.

I did have the privilege and responsibility of covering the space program for my newspaper. STS-121, the only shuttle launched on 07/04/2006, the only Shuttle launch on the 4th of July, an important date in the USA. I was free to choose how I thought best to illustrate the event for my paper. I thought this worked well, it was picked up by the A.P. and appeared in other papers on July 5.

Done with a Canon 1D MK IIn with a Vivitar Series 1 600mm f/8.0 solid cat mirror lens. I chose it as it was much more portable than the alternative, an EF 500mm f/4.5. Autofocus wasn't an issue as the shuttle was way out there from the NASA press center and the distance was more or less fixed. I just had to nail focus to begin with.


View attachment 4847667

Four columns vertical on Page One was pretty nice display. The bosses liked it.

As to the flag waving, I've often said, as have many before me: I'd rather be lucky than good. A little talent doesn't hurt, either.
Click to expand...
 
The OVERUSED “iconic” word lost all its meaning, in this modern world lead by trends.
But this image is Iconic in the true sense.
It was a huge hit in the 80s (90s?)

Rick Waldroup said:
I have a very large, vintage retail promo poster of this very image, framed and hanging in my living room. I would not take anything for it. Thanks for posting this.
Click to expand...
 
Crazy story. Crazy image.
skopar steve said:
View attachment 4845087
I had an appointment to view some photos at the university of Arizona center for creative photography in Tucson. Your given two hours to view a photographer of their archives, witch are extensive. I had chosen W Eugene Smiths "Nurse Midwife" and "Pittsburg" portfolios. While waiting to go in the person working there said the gentleman viewing now had also chosen Smiths work, only WWII images. I was welcomed in to view with him as long as I did not disturb his viewing. I stayed a few images away from him. An elderly man in western garb.

He walked over to me and pointed out this image. In the one on display his comrades around him were visable. He said I'm in this image, can you pick me out? I looked at him then all these twenty somethin Gi's all grubby and unshaven and could not make out who he was. He pointed to the man on the stretcher and said that's me. Looking at the wounded soldier I thought he would be blind and have brain damage, yet here he was telling the story and showing the scars.

His son had seen the image in a magazine article and knowing his father fought on Okinawa showed it to him They contacted the magazine and fount the image was at the center for creative photography. They told the center their story and the center offered to make a print for him. So he traveled to Tucson from California and received the print.

That encounter made my trip. I was blessed to have been able to learn his story and have that experiance.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
  • Article Article
The Golden Age of American Photo Magazines: 1949-1989
Replies
16
Views
4K
Pál_K
Pál_K
Back
Top Bottom