A Throwback to a Throwback in Photography: 1991?

by Skip Cohen

​Ten years ago, I shared this image in a Throwback Thursday post, and I wanted to bring it back for an encore.

It's a classic for several different reasons. First, the industry lost Don Blair in 2004, and Terry Deglau passed away in 2019, five years ago next week. That's Tony Corbell, Big Daddy himself (Don Blair), me (who told me that sweater looked good?), and our good pal, Terry Deglau, who used to be with Kodak. Sorry, I have no idea who the models were.

Second, the image was captured during a two-part program at a shoot at the MGM, back in the days when they had the giant lion out front on the corner of the hotel. Don did a program that year ('91?) at WPPI, called "Don Blair and Friends," then sponsored by Hasselblad, Kodak, and Art Leather.

Don did a live shoot outside with the models that evening. The following day, during a more typical presentation, each member of the workshop got an 8x10 from the shoot. Don, Terry, and Tony talked about the key ingredients, along with lighting and posing, two of Don's favorite topics. Remember, this was in the film days, so it was pretty impressive for people to get an 8x10 image within 24 hours.

Just as Don handed out the 8x10s to approximately 200 people, I came down the aisle yelling about making a giant print, at least "5x7". Everybody looked at me as if I was nuts, but behind me, we rolled in a 5x7 folio that Art Leather had built...5 feet x 7 feet. It must have weighed five hundred pounds and was covered in leather. It looked exactly like a 5x7 folio on steroids. Even more impressive was how good the Hasselblad image from the shoot held up - no grain, no pain.

Third on the list of reasons this is a classic goes back to the fact that it was all film. We didn't have the joy of instant fulfillment with an immediate presentation/projection, like we do with digital today. Tony, Don, Terry, and I were like the Four Musketeers, involved in one adventure after another. This was just one of the programs we did that involved the creativity that came out when the four of us got together. 

What are you doing for Throwback Thursday? Here's a point so many of you take for granted: Photographs like this capture unforgettable memories and transport everybody involved to another time and place. Plus, throwbacks remind us of the incredible role photography plays in everyone's lives. Where would the world be without imaging?

Use your throwbacks for marketing your business - Sharing your throwbacks once a week on social media is a perfect way to remind your target audience that time doesn't stand still. For example, use your throwbacks to remind "Mom" that it's time for a new family portrait or a local business owner that an updated headshot is in order...and the list goes on and on.

Don't underestimate your power as an artist to create incredible images that, years from now, will be a personal time machine for your clients.  And remember, every client deserves your very best work!

PS And a BIG thanks to Jim Morton, who sent me this photo a few years back. It's thanks to Jim that so many Hasselblad memories were captured over the years at events like WPPI. What a kick!