Sunday Morning Reflections: Ansel Adams and a Trip Down Memory Lane

7/13/2014

It's a typical Sunday morning...I'm up earlier than I'd like to be. (Whatever happened to the days when I could sleep past seven?) Sheila's still sound asleep and Molly the Wonder Dog is asleep at my feet. One of the things I love to do, especially on Sunday mornings, is just wander through old files looking at an endless stream of business and personal images I've collected over the years. Each one is a memory-maker with a story.

I found this image in my archives. While this post is mostly a story about some famous camera gear, it's also about an amazing friendship.

That's Ansel Adams' camera gear on the left! It was loaned to him by Victor Hasselblad. In later years, Victor passed away and then some time before Ansel died he gave it to his assistant, Rod Dresser, and essentially told him, "It's consigned to me, just use it and keep it in good shape. When Hasselblad wants it back, they'll ask for it."

Well, the years went by and nobody knew it was even out there. Rod called me one day, probably around '94 and told me about the gear. He didn't feel right still having it. So, we replaced it for him, with newer gear as long as he'd help us promote the sale of it for charity. In the end we raised $100,000 for The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and the Center for Creative Photography, when shock jock, Don Imus, put in his bid...and later wrote me a check!

But here's the real reason this image means so much to me...

My good buddy Nick Vedros offered to help us with an image for the ad we wanted to do. His concept was to create something that looked like it was part of a shipment of artifacts to a museum. He wanted to establish historical value with one image. Remember this is all in the film days with no chance to play around on a computer!

Nick built a box and stylized the shot, finishing with a little light painting to give it the strong look of a shipment of valuable relics. The idea was brilliant and it worked, but the most fun for me personally was the entire concept was created by a good friend.

Finally, I'm at the point of this morning's post...friendship. I've spent my entire life in the photographic industry and along the way met some amazing people - one of them Nick Vedros. I've repeatedly described him as one of the finest and most creative commercial photographers in the world today. But his success isn't just about his creativity and skill set. It's about the commitment he makes to his friends, the integrity he puts into every client relationship and his unmatched passion for life.

I've written this a few dozen times over the years, but the best thing about this industry has NOTHING to do with photography directly. It's about the friendships that come out of everyone's love for the craft. I consider myself to be one of the luckiest guys in photo, because I keep getting opportunities to work with some of the most creative artists in the world!

"Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together."
Woodrow T. Wilson

Wishing all of you a wonderful Sunday! Make it a memory-making day...Let a few friend know how important they are to you...and as always, hug somebody you love!

2 Comments

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Xenophon A. Beake link

7/13/2014 07:35:37 am

Skip. I do remember this story from the film days. As you I am fortunate to be able to call a fellow Greek and colleague friend. We bonded immediately when I flew to Detroit to see one of his seminars. I also spent some time with Nick in Rockport ME while he was presenting a class at the ME Photographic Workshop, now defunct. Fran & I owned a 2nd home in Rockport for 10 years. I made it possible for Nick to speak at PPANE
Another bit of information that might interest you. Long before you became President of Hasselblad USA Hasselblad had published several of my photographs in an article titled “Mr. Hasselblad of New England” They also use one of my photographs to advertise the 30mm Distagon fisheye lens in an industrial brochure. I was actually the first in the US to purchase this wonderful lens. I just took it off of eBay to use it on my Nikon D800.
As you know, when Ansel Adams held his workshops in Yosemite, Polaroid would send someone to assist him. That someone is a very dear friend of mine Paul Comello. Knowing how passionate I was for the Hasselblad system Paul presented me with a Hasselblad brochure about Ansell Adams black & white photography using the Hasselblad system, signed.
With your personal assistance I was able to do programs all over the US by projecting my Hasselblad images on two Hasselblad projectors. You may not know this that I was privileged to present program at 10 PPA National conventions as well as at Winona using these wonderful projectors but not on all 10.
A few years before drying up my own professional lab I had a visit from the Eastman Kodak NE Regional Manager. He had heard about my program and wanted to see it firsthand privately in my studio.
His comment once this short presentation was completed is something I will never forget, “how the hell do you get this kind of color from our Ektachrome film. It has the quality of Kodachrome”
I do use spell check and it doesn’t know Ektachrome. Sad In any even I digress.

A few facts determined that look. Properly lighted and exposed film, one shot chemistry and the projectors used. I was humbled by those remarks.
And a big yes to agree about those we meet in photo. I like you have friends and colleagues that will last for the rest of our lives.
Even though our paths do not cross personally, we manage to see postings on FB as I did yours today.
I have also been privileged to have taken a class with Ernst Wildi at Winona Indiana 1972. His class was filled but drove to IN with my own enlarger. Fast forward a few years and Ernest was a guest lecturer in a full week workshop I was presenting at the Triangle Institute in Pittsburg.
In about 1990 Earnst and I presented a class together at a seminar sponsored by Fishkin in NJ.
To be mentioned in the same brochure with Earnst was like a dream. I have been in touch with his recently.
I could go on but this is not about me. One other name has to be mentioned. Carl Cleasson. We met in 1967 and still remain friends.
I am so happy that you posted this and hope some of my comments are worth the time to read.
I recently became an octogenarian and because of my longevity and my good memory still remember the days I have meat some of the best in the business but foremost true and genuine individuals.
I wish you well friend.

Jack Brenchley link

12/22/2014 03:23:12 am

Hello

I've just read your article about Ansel Adams loand Hasselblad equipment.

May I ask you what did the equipment consist of? Which bodies and lenses did Ansel favour.

I thank you for your time and wish you a Joyful, Happy Christmas and a Healthy, Prosperous New Year.

season's greetings,
Jack Brenchley
(senior compositor at Jane's)

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