For all those interested.... Take a look through the book "Reqiem" by Hoorst Faas and Tim Page. In it you find some of the most fascinating and disturbing photographs made by Leica photographers(and others)in Vietnam and Loas. None of the photographers represented, returned to thier homes. Put personal politics aside and marvel at the dedication and bravery exhibited by these photographers.

-- Brooks (bvonarx1@home.com), June 01, 2001

Answers

I agree completely, it is one of my cherished books. Another is "Larry Burrows: Compassionate Photographer", which is long out of print (it was published in 1972, shortly after Burrows was killed in a helicopter crash in S.E. Asia). Burrows carried 2 M3's and 2 Nikon F's around his neck into combat. His work is also featured in Requiem. A third book is "Linda McCartney's Sixties", which contains beautiful and intimate photographs of the rock stars of the era. Another talented photographer and fine human being who left us much too soon.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), June 01, 2001.

Here in Edmonton (one of the largest cities this far north in the world), we don't get a lot of really well known photographers works being shown at our local gallery. But I can hardly wait, it has just been announced that a travelling retrospective of Linda McCartney's work will be shown in September at our provincial archives.

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), June 02, 2001.

I was never completly impressed by Linda's photos, only her access to her subjects. Maybe I should take another look?

-- Brooks (Bvonarx1@home.com), June 04, 2001.

But access is all... HCB, Beaton, Snowdon ...

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), June 04, 2001.

It's too bad McCartney gets slagged because of whom she married (that musician guy). Some of her photographs are very good, yet people are always saying "well look who she's married to", which is no different in reality from saying (which no one does) 'well, he got the shots because he works for Time'. Many great photographs were gotten because the shooter had an 'in'. All I know is that (IMO), when you look at McCartneys work, and someone like Leibovitz, I think the former is a damn site more real.

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), June 04, 2001.

I agree, access-in the broadest sense of the word-is all. With celebrities, the benefits are easy to identify-we presume a sense of intimacy, and any image at all is interesting to us.

But access, in non-celebrity street and people photography, is everything too. Whether that access is gained through connections, by virtue of friendship or relationships, or merely a friendly and engaging personality, or through superhuman technique and an invisible cloak, as with Cartier-Bresson, opens the door to great pictures.

Stolen shots are usually deadly dull.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), June 04, 2001.

Now, Mani, don't go giving my words a more intelligent and mature meaning than I originally intended! ;-)

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), June 05, 2001.

Have you seen this man with a paper bag on his head taking pictures every where, jumping from one military tank to the soldiers line, what a way to get access!, that was Joseph Koudelka in Prage 1968.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), June 05, 2001.