A Throwback to WPPI 2016 and Two Incredible Photographers

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by Skip Cohen
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It's Throwback Thursday, and while I shared some of these images many years ago, there are no rules for when a throwback can be hit again. What started my search was hearing that John Rettie had passed away, and off I went looking for old images. In my search, I stumbled on these images from a Celebration of Life in memory of Bill Hurter at WPPI 2016. 

John Rettie is on the right in the first grab shot in the collage above. John was an outstanding writer and contributor to Rangefinder Magazine, working closely with Bill Hurter for so many years. He was also a good friend and well-respected photographer and writer in the industry.

In a beautiful tribute to John, I pulled a couple of comments Scott Bourne shared yesterday...

When you are young, you are often invited to celebrate weddings and new babies. When you grow old - unfortunately, the celebrations are different. We learn to celebrate the lives of those we know who have passed on. 

Later, Scott wrote: They say you only truly die when people stop saying your name. While I am most likely not very far behind John - as long as I am here, I will remind people that John Rettie was one of the best photographers who ever lived - and he will absolutely be missed.

Scott's words are so true. While I hate sharing stories about friends who have passed, it goes with aging. But more important is for those of you who never knew these icons to understand the trail they blazed for all of us. John and Bill's love for the craft and their contribution to our industry as writers, artists, educators, and friends was remarkable. 

And while it sounds pretty sappy, I like to think the two of them are hanging out together right now and watching over an industry they loved dearly.

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