Thoughts About Muhammad Ali

Image copyright Steven Katzman

I hate writing about Muhammad Ali, only because everyone has said it all already. However, maybe that's part of the definition of a hero - everybody has a story or a moment they remember. One of my most favorite portraits now hanging in our home was a gift from photographer, Steven Katzman, many years ago. 

I shared the screen shot above from Steven's website because it deserves so much more than what I was able to grab with the reflection and the lighting in our hallway. The image on the right is a definite argument for non-reflective glass. 

The portrait is part of a series Steven did called "Reflections of the Spirit." It's well worth a visit to his website and reading what he wrote about the project.
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Besides being an incredible portrait, Ali, like many of you, was one of my heroes. It was probably close to twenty years ago I got to meet him at a PMDA dinner before the PMA convention. It was only a two-second handshake, but memorable nonetheless. That night, Howard Bingham, photographer and close friend to Ali was receiving the Photographer of the Year award and Ali was there just to show his support.
 
Over the years I've shared some quotes from Muhammad Ali, my favorite used to be on the NILMDTS website a few years back:

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"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth."

While Muhammad Ali may have passed, the memories and inspiration he left behind is an incredible legacy for all of us to share.