There’s been a lot of news on the Nobel front lately, as the annual rite of recognizing genius has played out. The recipients are extraordinary as always.
One of the beauties of being a photographer is we are often assigned to photograph the extraordinary. If you are fortunate in the assigning process, you are occasionally given a window into amazing lives and intellects, and the curtain is drawn back, just a bit, on the very human, fascinating, underlying components that constitute true genius.
For instance, John Wheeler, above. A confidante and colleague of Albert Einstein and Niels Bohr, he coined the term “black hole,” and was described by M.I.T.cosmologist Max Tegmark, as “the only physics Titan still standing.”
The above is a one light pic, Kodachrome, a simple portrait of a kindly, extraordinary man. Shot for Discover Magazine, at the University of Texas at Austin.
Linus Pauling, two time Nobelist, one for chemistry and one for his peace activism. The winning of two unshared Nobels is rarified air indeed. He is listed by one source as one of the 20 greatest scientists of all time.
Had a wonderful time covering his personality and antics. He was totally pleasant to be with and a tad on the quirky side. I photographed him swimming in his pool at his place in Big Sur, and when he popped out of the pool, and stripped off right in front of me. Maybe he was testing me, to see if I would go paparazzi on him or something. But, I didn’t. Trust me, it was a photograph that didn’t need to be made.
At the last moment, as I was leaving, he opened the gate for me, and a kitty scampered up on his shoulder. I charged the scene and made three of four frames. Last frames of a three day job, and opening double truck of the story. Again, Kodachrome.
I photographed Leonard Bernstein numerous times, and each one was an adventure. The above was made with one light, at his apartment in the Dakota, in NYC. Pain is part of the process of creation, often times, and I think there is the hint of that in his face. Though there was the whimsical, poetic side to this amazing face as well.
Some might say that Edward Teller, below, represented the dark side of genius. He is, after all, commonly referred to as “the father of the hydrogen bomb,” and is the inspiration for Dr. Strangelove, in the movie of the same name. His character was played memorably by Peter Sellers. Sellers also played President Merkin Muffley in the movie, who famously said, “Gentleman, you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room.”
Ektachrome, bounce flash on camera. Lawrence Livermore Labs, California.
B. F. Skinner, reading at home, above. To say he was odd and interesting is like saying Mardi Gras is colorful. A psychologist and behaviorist, he is up there with Pavlov in terms of influence. Creator of the Skinner Box for the analysis of animal behavior. Cover subject for TIME magazine.
A found moment in wonderful, available light. Cambridge, Mass. Kodachrome.
The camera is a visa into lives like these, and it is truly daunting, facing off with such formidable intellects. I mean, I didn’t do well in chemistry, never took a psych class, can’t carry a tune or play a chord, and I am at a loss when it comes to space time curvature. All I carry on location is my basic research and a comparatively simple machine governed by f-stops and shutter speeds. But the power of a still photograph is its frozen quality. An easy snap, some might say, compared to convoluted equations and advanced theorems. But, in that deceptively simple snap, there lies a certain and long honored durability which prompts the memory and stirs the emotions. All the folks above are long gone. But the pictures remain.
More tk…
wonderful, priceless, irreplaceable!
Great peek into making some great photos. Love the last 3 frames of a 3 day shoot…. get the kitty cat shot!!!!!
Oh… and Dr. Strangelove ( the movie ) should be mandatory viewing for 12 grade Civic Students. My fav. quote…….”I can no longer sit back and allow the international Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids.” Cheers
thank you once again Joe,your insight into the importance of stills in our universe is a lot closer to these men’s way of thinking than you are admitting.
Joe,
Such a way of sharing. Such a way of reminding people like me of the beautiful gift I have been given to photograph and interact with beautiful people I never normally would. Thank you again,Joe.
Great story, as always. Thanks for sharing!
ps ,When’s your next book coming out ? ? ? ? ?
I need a new Joe read !
Such fascinating characters! One potential advantage that still photos can have over other media is that chance of capturing part of our subconscious communication of ourselves. So many nuances of expression are so fleeting yet can reveal much about the person. We pick up on them indirectly when talking to them or seeing video. Still images can often isolate those moments and give a glimpse into the person. I love the fact that portrait photos can be used to show something of what the person is known for, but yet also to reveal a humanity, a normality about them that brings us closer to feeling that we could know such giants.
As always Joe a great read and, without preaching, lessons there for the taking. After many years I’ve come to truly appreciate that the best thing about being a photographer may be the opportunity to meet and be around people who have a deep passion for something in life. This blog so perfectly exemplifies that. This week I’m photographing an eye surgeon who once won the Van Cliburn piano competition . . . and I can’t wait. Best to ya Joe.
I just played Paul Simon’s “Kodachrome” while examining your photos… what a trip in time… 😉 Now if someone would create a K-14 cologne for men, we’d be good to go.
Many thanks Mark! I’m hoping for a new book by next Christmas. Hope of course, won’t get it done. I have to do some writing, which is the hard part. But I am keen to do it, so looking good. all the best…Joe
In an age of pouting and posing, shameless selfies these ‘true’ portraits of legends is a reflection that the photographer can capture the spirit of these great people without going overboard. Your blog is a reflection of the adage ‘Keep it simple’
I love the shot with the cat. That’s priceless. And Bernstein is a hero!
Loved my Kodachrome…. Thank you for the technical lighting info. On another tech note… what do you use to scan your Kodachrome and other slides? As mentioned in your current blog… “I need to take care of my pictures”… to one day hand down to my children.
What a chance to meet this people. When I was at the university I had the chance to be in contact with some big genius, nothing like the ones you met, and it was fantastic already. I image how it impact your way of viewing sings.
Love the simple honest shot of Bernstein, and a very relaxed looking Pauling.