Predictably, it all started with a picture. David Douglas Duncan, one of LIFE’s most preeminent photographers, was in Tokyo, and his friend, Jun Miki, an equally formidable Japanese photographer, were friends. The time was post-war Japan, and Jun wanted to make Duncan’s picture. Duncan was skeptical, as the light of the day had faded. Miki persisted, and the next day, he brought Duncan a print. It was so sharp, even though shot in tough lighting conditions, Duncan immediately asked to be introduced to the people who were making this little-known lens–Nikkor.
In a very real way, this casual, almost accidental transaction between these two photographers helped give rise to what is now Nikon, currently celebrating its 100th anniversary. Duncan headed to cover the Korean War for LIFE, armed with Nikkor lenses. Back in NY, at the Time-Life lab, they were stunned by the quality of Duncan’s negs, and given the competitive nature of photographers, numerous LIFE staffers began clamoring for Nikkor glass. The rest, as they say, is history.
I’ve had the privilege of knowing Duncan, just a bit, for a long time. I photographed him with Richard Nixon on the streets of Manhattan many years ago. They had been wartime buds, and Duncan gifted Nixon his most recent book on Picasso out there on Park Ave. He called out to Nixon, “Does anybody here remember Bougainville?” They had been stationed there, in the Philippines, during the war. Nixon turned and was presented with the book.
The picture ran page one, and in a day or so, I got a call from Duncan. Could he have a print? I was stammering on the phone, and of course made him an 11×14. The man is a hero to me, and I grew up, photographically, looking at his work. And he was on the phone? With this punk kid who had just learned which end of the camera to look through?
Fast forward 35 years. I go to the south of France, assigned by Nikon to do portraits and video interviews with Duncan, and his amazing wife, Sheila. I shot the stills and Drew Gurian did the video work.
The history this man has seen! From WWII, when he served as a marine, to Korea, to Vietnam, to the Middle East, and along the way becoming a friend and confidante of Picasso….nothing short of an astonishing life. He is very matter of fact about it. “I know how to work a camera,” he has said.
He indeed does know how to work a camera. His work will be celebrated in Tokyo, at an exhibition at the Nikon Museum. It was my honor to assist art director Gen Umei in curating the show, and writing some small essays about Duncan, and the influence he has had in the world of photojournalism. He is 101 now, and most likely will not make the trip from Castellaras to Tokyo, but he will be there very much in spirit, to celebrate the momentous occasion of Nikon’s 100th Anniversary.
The life of a photographer is quite circular, I find. From the streets of NYC, and a shared legacy as LIFE staff photographers, back in the day, to the south of France, and now onto Tokyo. He still had that 11×14 print I made for him long ago, and asked me to sign it for him. As he noted in my copy of his book, This Is War……
And the best lesson of all….he’s still shooting.
More tk…
Words, well written enhance photos. Thanks Joe.
Great story and an even greater life, Thanks for sharing, Joe.
Thanks again Joe.
What a wonderful story. As I was reading it I thought is DDD still alive? I read on and found out he is 101 years young. That is pretty amazing but no more so than his truly remarkable life. I remember as a younger photographer seeing his remarkable images from Korea and then Vietnam. I remember when he gave a presentation, a Flying Short Course I think where he prefaced his presentation with a blank screen and audio of combat from, I think, Khe Sanh. He is a giant and a legend, thanks for the story Joe.
Wow! What a wonderful story.
Really inspirational post Joe! Well done
Amazing life story of a legend. And, as always, amazing pictures.
One of my life dreams is to photograph (or even meet would be enough) a legend and my hero on whose work I learn and grow – Joe McNally. 🙂
Terrific story! You never know what will happen through the years and you got to experience his greatness (and his kindness) twice.
Really inspirational work Joe!
A privilege to have gotten to learn a small amount about a giant. Thanks Joe!
well said joe. thank you.
Great story and AMAZING photographs. As usual.
Bougainville is in Papua New Guinea, not the Phillipines. My Dad served there in WWII with the Australian Army. As he used to say, “if it wasn’t for the Yanks we would have been overrun”.
Wonderful story Joe. Now to study more of his work…. Thanks for sharing this.
Joe I always admire your photography, But you are also an amazing story teller!! I have your books based on flash and photography but hope one day you pen all of your great photographic/life based stories into one book. It will be a best seller.
Joe, this one got me pretty choked up. Great story! And fantastic images as usual! Have fun in Italy!
Great story, Joe! I’m currently doing the translation for Nikon’s 100-year history which will probably come out in the late summer or fall. It has a story about how Duncan stumbled upon Nikon lenses.
Beautiful tribute on one of the greatest photographers who ever lived. Whenever I saw a photo credit from DDD, I knew it had to be something special to behold. I’m glad you were the one chosen by Nikon to give honor to David Douglas Duncan. Thank you.
What a wonderful article about this very extraordinary gentleman. I’ve known David and Sheila for almost 30 years and have been the lucky recipient of a number of his books. Your portrait of him in front of the staircase is nothing short of stunning. He truly is a remarkable man.
The early LIFE photographers were a group that has always been a source of inspiration for me – thanks for sharing, Joe
Outstanding portrait! Interesting and warm story of your friend. Thanks.
The portrait of him in your opening is stunning, just like JDD.
Hi Joe… loved the story and history ! What light arrangement did you use for the portrait in the hallway ? Thanks !
thanks for stopping by the blog, Ken….always an honor to hear from you!
Hi Raad…Used a Profoto B-1 fitted with a 5′ Octa soft box. Camera right. Only light.
Lovely story and images inspirational!
As a college student in 1993, one of the first webpages I built was a tribute to Mr. Duncan featuring a bit of his work, accompanied by some biographical information and my thoughts on the photographs. It was an academic and learning endeavor, but the number of requests I received for permission to use his photographs in all manner of projects finally forced me to take the site offline. That speaks to both the early days of the web and of course to the number of people seeking out information on DDD. Thank you for this post.
More. More. Heard that story from Joe Ehrenreich years ago. You lucky guy…Soak it all in.
I love it! I wrote my Master’s Thesis on him when I was in Graduate School at Columbia College in Chicago in 1993. War Photography in an art school … They thought I was nuts! But, as a Marine (Yes, I capitalize it!) and former photographer for The Department of the Army (in Germany), he is the artist that inspired me. The perfect choice.
Great story … Thank you.