When I first arrived in NYC, nurturing faint hopes to become a photographer in the Big Apple, Danny Farrell was the dean of NYC press photography, a class act, and much respected. A shooter’s shooter, nobody was tougher when the job was on the line. He delivered. A resplendent generalist who shot it all, his particular genius was on full display at Yankee Stadium, and at the tracks, Belmont and Aqueduct. Baseball and the horses—nobody beat him. He loved pictures, and life. As good as he was, he was also approachable and decent, always up for a laugh and a beer, or maybe even a good “martooni” as he occasionally called them.
He passed away this week. I will miss that laugh, his distinctive voice, and his wisdom. We will all miss his pictures. The NY Daily News, where he spent his entire 50 year career, did a great thing this week, running a portfolio of his images. Do yourself a favor and hit this link. One photographer, with keen eyes, and an unerring touch for human moments, helped create our collective memory. Below is his most famous frame.
A year or so ago, I went to Danny’s house, and shot the below. My way of saying thanks.
In 1976, I went to NYC straight from photo school at Syracuse University, seeking work as a photog. It was a foolish act, fueled by the lack of knowing and the hubris of youth. New York, a stern taskmistress, sorted me out quite quickly.
The only work I found that was connected to photojournalism was as a copyboy at the New York Daily News, New York’s picture newspaper. They had at the time over 50 staff photographers and a daily run of well over a million copies.
I ran copy from desk to desk, got coffee for nickel tips, and delivered lunches to columnists. My connection to photos was to make subway runs, collecting bags of film from the photogs, especially the sports guys, at the stadiums or Madison Square Garden, and race deadline back to 42nd St. I took home $107 a week, lived in a cockroach laden, tiny, hotbox of an apartment. It was broken into on a couple of occasions, and I lost all my camera gear. I also lost my dad that first year in NY.
No one even thought of me as having potential to actually shoot the pictures. My job was just to run my legs off with bags of pictures somebody else shot. I would go home at night, sit on my bed in the wash of an old, oscillating fan on the floor, and listen to the traffic blaring on Broadway. The stench of garbage, wrapped in the heat of the summer, drifted through the window, leeching into the stained carpet, the sheets, even my sweat. I would sit there in the dark and weep.
It was about that time that Danny Farrell looked at my work. The fact that such a photographic luminary took the time out to look at the portfolio of a desperate copy kid was an act of kindness I have never forgotten. I was broke, running out of hope, and thinking about packing it in. He looked at my pictures. He said, “Kid, you know a picture when you see one. Hang in there.”
When I was sent to Yankee Stadium for a film run, I would race to get there early, and watch him. He shot baseball with a Nikkor 400mm f5,6, with gaffer tape arrows on the barrel, marking the focus points for second base and home plate. Audaciously, he would occasionally give me the camera and lens and let me shoot an inning. I framed up second base once, playing with the focus, and was off his arrow mark. He quickly said to me, “Kid are you sharp there?” I was not, and I told him I was just playing with the focus throw. He relaxed and nodded. “You know, I would double check myself if you thought it was sharp. You got those young eyes.” I know now whereof he spoke. I no longer have young eyes, and good AF is a blessed event, not available to the shooters of that day.
His mantra in bright sun was “A thousand at f11.” I remember one brilliant day, another photog proclaimed loudly in the photog bullpen at the stadium, “So is it two thousand at f8?” Danny said yes, but “I’d rather be a thousand at 11.”
He was laid to rest wearing a tie picturing horses, racing for the finish line, where he would have been waiting. Also, there was a Nikon camera, created of black and silver decorations. At the bottom was a banner–Always at thousand-f11.
At his funeral mass, the fine photojournalist Kathy Kmonicek made a picture of Dan’s great grandson, Braydon, saluting his great grandfather’s coffin as it passed. An amazing, spontaneous echo to mark the passing of a remarkable man.
I will miss him. He meant a lot to all shooters, but in particular the “boys” in the studio, like Johnny Roca and myself. We grew up in his shadow, learning, listening and laughing. We are better for it. A print he signed for me, of one of my favorite pictures, is treasured. Danny Farrell’s signature on a picture about the Knicks winning. Best of a couple worlds, right there.
Up where you are now, Danny, I’m sure it’s a thousand at 11. And, if by chance we meet again, it would be my honor to run your film once more.
More tk….
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A very touching tribute Joe. He seemed like a great guy! My deepest condolences to his family and to you.
A beautiful tribute, Joe. I can see why he meant so much to you.
Man .. this is so sad to lose such a great photographer.. may he Rest in Peace.
Now I know that I will remember that thousand at 11 too .. Thank you, Mr. Farrell!
Very thoughtful farewell, and saying good bye to a great photographer!
Beautiful.
Hey Joe,
Beautifully spoken. My condolences with your loss. It’s always tough when someone who’s been such a big influence passes on. Wish you lots of strength.
Kryn
Really nicely written Joe. Heartfelt. I thought you were a photographer.
Great man. Great story.
Very touching and powerful.
I’m sitting on my brothers front porch tearing up over your loss and your words but also so very proud to be a photographer.
A photographer that has many opportunities presented to him by other photographers in the world.
I am thankful to be in their company and be touched by their lives and their images.
Thank you Joe.
Hi Joe, Sorry for our loss. Thank you for remembering him. Through you we are mentored too. The greats were always willing to share and give encouragement.
Joe, your posts have more heart than anyone else’s I know. They truly touch my soul, every time.
The frames we freeze time with does not stop time itself. We all march on through it and to it, and the passage with friends and mentors makes the moments real and cherished. Joe, you do what few others do, you bring us along with you with both words and image to a place in your soul that you freely share. You have been taught by the best, and some have finished the course, leaving you… to be the best. Be proud of the lines and wrinkles, thankful for the autofocus, and happy that the knees still support you, as you stand on the shoulders of giants. Giants that your love and respect acknowledges. Thank you for that, and for the thing that makes you Joe, which is not your pen, or your camera, but your heart.
very nice farewell to a great photographer from “another great photographer”!!
As I started to read this, Joe, i was wondering how much you write, and when, and for what reasons? Does it come easily to you? Or do write and rewrite and rewrite again to realize this seemingly effortless prose?
In any case it’s really beside the point. Well done, VERY well done, touching.
thanks
DearJoe, Thank you for this beautiful tribute to my Dad. My family and I would like to thank you for being a part of his life. We felt blessed that you joined us at his funeral. Much love to you Joe. Love Lynn Farrell
A powerful piece Joe. A great tribute.
Thanks
Lovely tribute, as befitting a lovely man. He will be well missed, and well remembered.
Dear Joe,
The words you wrote about my Dad were truly Beautiful!! I’m Dans Daughter Kathy, and it brought tears to my eyes to read about how he helped you in your career! I heard from many of his colleagues very similar stories at his wake last week, including John Roca, Paul DeMaria, and Richie Lee.They all told me the same thing, that he made time for the young guy!! Nothing made me prouder to be his daughter! I knew him as my Wonderful Dad, who was always there for his Family, but to hear about how he was there for so many others was an inspiration to me! Thank You from the bottom of my heart, it was so nice to see that picture of him with the camera, I never saw it! With much Appreciation,
Kathy Farrelll Natoli
Joe,
I got the chance to meet Dan when I started working for Bruce Bennett and the NY Islanders in the early 1980’s. Although I was green around the gils when it came to sports photography, Dan was always there with a smile and a quick photo tip for me. When he found out I worked for Nikon, I returned the favor whenever he asked a Nikon related question or if he need some gear looked after – which was my honor. I read about Dan when I returned from a business trip yesterday and was saddened by his passing. Thankfully, his wonderful work lives on for all of us to see and reflect.
Joe This was very nice the photos will miss him we shoot the Belmont for years, when to see him
back in 2006 Spoke to hime after Sandy were he wash out what storm. Great guy.. Joe DiOrio
This post was absolutely beautiful, I could hear him saying everything you quoted him in. Thank you for your insight into his professional life and taking the time to share how he impacted your career. He did have such a unique perspective behind the lens. This post is very appreciated.
Sincerely,
Kristen
(Dan’s great-niece)
Joe you over me with this. Sorry for your and his family’s loss.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful tribute.
Still rocking’ that old Nikon FTn.
FIFTY staff photographers?? Whoa! Good times!
Wonderful, heartfelt tribute, Joe. You’ve talked in a previous post about how some of the guys put together a thick envelope for you, after your gear got ripped off. Bet he was one of ’em.
Condolences to you and everyone else who loved Danny.
Wow! This article was beautifully written and really captures the heart and soul of my grandfather, Dan Farrell. It is so great to know that the man we called “Pop” was just as amazing behind the scenes at work as he was at home. I am so touched that he impacted your life and that you took the time to write such an eloquent tribute. Thank you for letting us all get another glimpse at his everlasting kindhearted spirit.
With appreciation,
Meghan Kudlek
Joe Thanks for your wonderful prose.I too was a copyboy in 1973 and 74. I got the chance to be around Dad at work quite abit. I was always trying to keep up with him wherever we went.He always had a deadline and that picture had to make it on time.I wish we would have had more time to exchange stories.Thanks for telling your storys about Dad I am very proud.Sincerely Daniel M Farrell
“Kid, you know a picture when you see one. Hang in there.”
This is something no much people in the business would said this days. This generosity as the same of the act to borrow you the long lens marks the high soul of this man. Your relate was very touching to me. All the best for the family and you.
Joe,
I am grateful you let us know about this phenomenal man and his photo prowess. A very poignant write-up. And I did follow the link to see some of his work. It brought back good memories and little did I know Dan was behind the camera.
My most heartfelt sympathy to you and deep condolences to Dan Farrells’ s family.
Sincerely,
Joe S.
Joe
Just love Danny’s hands in you portrait!
Joe you’re touching tribute to amazing photographer touched many lives makes me realize how important it is to enjoy and get great satisfaction have taken great images and being inspired by great photographers who the past we cross I’ve crossed yours a couple of times and I’ve always been inspired by your great images I want to have the honor of meeting Robert Frank in the 90s and Edward Weston’s granddaughter in the 80s I miss the glorious days of films but I love to shoot and will shoot to the day I die it’s God’s gift to be able to get joy from photographing anything and maybe rest in peace.
Scott
Beautiful tribute, Joe. I’m sorry for the loss of your friend and mentor. I love the portrait you did of him. What a legend.
Dear Joe, Thank you for sharing your stories of my Dad Dan Farrell. What you wrote captured his kind heart he was always willing to give to anyone who asked. He had a great life and great friends who truly loved him. He has always shared with his family, friends his whole life. Thanks so much for your kind words about my Dad. He always told me never shot into the light and always have your camera set to 1000 F-11. I will always remember my trips to the Daily News building with him. He took me to work with him all the time, we went all over the city on all different assignments. After work we would go into Lousie’s East for a slice and he a beer. My memories are priceless. Thanks so much for being apart of my Dads life.
You give great meaning with your words and your photos Joe. They make us take pause ~ many thanks. All best, Karen
Such a moving & beautiful tribute Joe… Thank you for sharing. He was a great one….
Many feelings; few words.
A quick note to the Farrell family. Many, many thanks for being so gracious and welcoming at a sad time. I was late getting into the country last week, and came to the funeral home on Friday am. I know it was family time, but you all were so welcoming, and it gave me a chance to say goodbye to Dan. I’m truly grateful. You guys are a wonderful family, and will keep the memory of Danny alive. It was a blessing to know him. Joe
Hi back…writing comes hard sometimes. I have to screw myself into my chair and pay attention. Being on location as a photog, you’re running about, so it’s a different, more deliberate process. I try to write like I talk, for better or worse….:-)))
Terrific article and picture of of a great guy.
My condolences to you and Mr. Farrell’s family. In our lives good things come and go, but good people last forever.
Beautiful words & images.
I’m truly sorry to hear of your loss of a great friend & mentor. What great memories and a wonderful legacy of photography Danny has left.
Sorry for your loss Joe.
You sure did learn to pay it forward!!!
Fitting tribute for Dan who touched so many of us both directly and indirectly. His Floyd Patterson shot is the best sports photo I have ever seen. After many moons in the sports photography – auto racing – bisness it still amazes me how good he was @ 1000/f11. Thanks for your write-up it meant a lot.
R.I.P. Danny Farrell. Touching story of two great photogs. It’s always good to give young people a chance. I hope (being sure) that Danny’s spirit lives on in Joe. Thank you Danny, thank you Joe! My condolences to Danny’s family and friends.