In the late 90’s I was fired from my position of being the lone, and last staff photographer at LIFE. Even back then, print journalism was sliding sideways, economically, and LIFE was on the chopping block. I took my roughly $3000 settlement and converted it into a ticket to Norilsk, in Siberia, one of the most desperately bleak places on earth, and home to one of the largest and most environmentally deadly nickel mines in existence.
I traveled through Moscow, and knew that TIME magazine was preparing an issue on historically important individuals. I offered to photograph Mikhail Gorbachev for them, author of “glasnost,” which translated means “openness.” As a kid growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, doing duck and cover drills to get under my desk when the A bombs came, I simply wanted to meet the individual who helped ring down the Iron Curtain. My interest was personal, you see. I admired what he tried to do. TIME said they didn’t need him photographed, but they would look at my film, and they allowed me to use the resources of the TIME bureau in Moscow. They were direct in assuring me they would not pay me for the picture, which became an ongoing truism of the editorial photography marketplace.
My “studio session” in his office was a complete failure, below.
Summoning a bit of bravado, I insisted on another location driven session, and found a spate of trees near the end of Kutuzovsky Prospekt, a famous avenue in Moscow. Took three days, but he agreed to come, mostly because in terms of editorial influence, TIME magazine actually meant something back then.
He came in his fancy shoes, with his protection detail, and his typical cap. He walked to where I asked him to, and posed for about three minutes or so. I wanted him with this lonely woods as a backdrop, because he was an isolated figure in Russian history. Reformers felt his efforts for openness didn’t go far enough. Hard liners felt he gave away the farm, and dissipated the once mighty and fearsome Soviet Union into an economically impoverished supplicant on the world stage. As with all individuals who attempt change on an enormous scale, he was praised and reviled.
A wholly different Russian leader is at the helm now, yearning for those years when fear of Russia made children in faraway places race to basements, terrified of what might drop from the sky. He too, stands alone, not framed by snow and trees, but accompanied only by his own madness and cruelty.
Once again, the world is witnessing war and horror, and has been moved to action by the extraordinary reporting of journalists on the front lines in Ukraine. The photographers working there now are following in the powerful historical footsteps of photojournalists who have covered conflict, and informed, altered and shaped the world’s attitudes with their visual reporting. Robert Capa, David Douglas Duncan, Catherine Leroy, Nik Ut, David Burnett, Dickey Chapelle, John Filo, Eddie Adams–and many others–all of them made the world stop and look. Now photographers such as Erin Schaff, Tyler Hicks, Lynsey Addario, and Carol Guzy, to name just a few, working at great risk to themselves, rivet, inform and horrify us. They are supported by publications such as the New York Times, and their agencies, such as AFP, Getty and Zuma Press.
For those who can assist, an excellent channel to funnel assistance to the Ukraine is Direct Relief.
More tk….
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Very important voice, Joe. Times have changed, and it seemed, that the ubiquity and immediacy of the flow of information around the world could be a powerful factor against evil. What is happening in Ukraine, a massacre on a total scale, seems to contradict this, although probably no one expected, that thanks to the media and images the world would be able to unite so quickly and unambiguously and, act against the ongoing destruction.
Thank you for the post. Greatly appreciate you speaking up. Donated.
Lucky cat, even being proactive! Thank you for your service in documenting history. Make Love Not War…
What a powerful article and outstanding image of Mikhail Gorbachev. Beautiful symbolism and too accurate description of the new evil leader today. I have always admired your work.
I love this story Joe. you are and always have been an inspiration to me and countless others <3
Nicely done, Joe.
Hey Jim…all best, and thanks…Joe
I’ve always enjoyed your work. Sad the way print dissolved in our memories.
Sad to see this week that Barry Diller’s DotDash which owns many former Time Inc magazines has shut down print versions including a couple I shot for. Another 200 jobs gone. Thanks for the post Joe. Thanks for your inspiration. I have a friend who owns a B n B in Poland and is taking in refugee women and children. He’s got my donation and I hope many others. I’m grateful that Schaff, Hicks, Addario and many other brave committed journalist are there. I don’t think I could do it. My grandfather was a Ukrainian immigrant who’s family was chased out in another Russian pogrom. The more things change…
I hear you, Art. We both share a legacy with that once powerful group of magazines. So dissipated now…but, we did have some adventures, to be sure! All best and thanks for reading…Joe
Thank you in so many ways but mostly for lucidity in speaking truth in words and pictures.
What a striking picture of Gorbachev! What a story! Well done, Joe!
Thank you for sharing your story Joe, always inspiring.
Thank you back, Scott…hope you are well…. all best, Joe
Joe, thanks for sharing this articles and incredible nice picture of Gorbatsjov
Great anecdote and great photo. Thank you for sharing this, Joe.
I always loved this photo – great symbolism. Hope all is well, Joe. Stay safe.
Thanks for this succinct and illuminating piece. I always enjoy environmental photos much more than formal portraits, and Standing Alone reinforces my preference. Great photo; great article. Thanks.
Joe — I’ve always admired your drive to go the extra mile, to not accept or publish the obvious. Brilliant image of Gorby. And a wonderful story as well. Thank you for sharing!
Many thanks, Neal….appreciate the kind words, and yes, a big thumbs up for environmental portraiture.
Thanks back to you, Larry!
Didn’t get the size of the factory until I saw the man walking …
A really striking portrait Joe. Thanks for sharing your vision and the story. Deep down inside I feel somewhat of a calling to document the world and people around me … I guess we are the eyes of the world and just do what we were destined to do regardless of employment. I was studying Russian Studies when Gorby came to power … but the university decided to close the program … oh well … anyways I do pray that people are moved by the pictures that reveal injustice. Lewis Hein hear our prayer! Again thanks for posting these images … may we all see our way through the forest of complication to make a difference.
Thank you for this article from https://jeffjansenphotography.com/
What a powerful portrait. Really striking photograph! Expensive ticket but definitely worth it!