A nice surprise in Berlin

We were looking for coffee.  We found Leonard Freed and Sebastio Salgado--or at least a brilliant exhibition of their work.  

CO-Berlin had a wonderful show hanging, and we spent a few hours there.  

I have been familiar with, and enjoyed Freed's work for years. 

 He was with Magnum, among others--and let me go free association here for a minute and suggest that any of you who have not read Magnum--Fifty years on the Front Line by Russell Miller--should.  

Freed was the epitome of the documentary photographer.   

The term documentary photographer remains useful to describe, in a quick way, the difference between those who set up things to be photographed from those who try to seize some aspect of reality.  

Photojournalism today demands not only immediacy in the capturing of events but immediacy in the showing of them as well.  That forces motion where stillness may be the best course.  

I found a lot to love in his images.  They drew me in.  Showed me things I needed and wanted to see.  Beautifully composed, technically perfect, and containing breathtaking moments.  Right there, then and now.  Wow.

From the first Freed knew what he wanted to do, and his vision remained true for his entire career.

Talking about his first work he said:

" What I know now of making pictures I knew then.  I do not think of making progress.  It is the relationship of one photograph to another for my complete life.  From the first to the last picture I will ever make."

This was a marathon, not a sprint.  A life, not a job.  

Acute vision, discipline and determination are required in equal measure to make images like he did.   

His thoughts, his pictures.  Few are so gifted.  Something to reach for.  

I have a new respect for an old favorite.

 www.magnumphotos.com/leonardfreed

Laura, again.    Notice she isn't carrying anything. 

Bill