“You put a camera in my hand, I want to get close to people,” he
said. “Not just physically close, emotionally close, all of it.
It’s part of the process." - NYTimes.com [1].
Let me begin with this post of a post. Danny Lyon's photograph of the prison inmate has been one of the most influential images for me since I first looked at CONVERSATIONS WITH THE DEAD before I had even thought I'd pick up a camera. It is an image that has propelled me to look further and beyond fear and things I didn't know about life-like prison,racism,hate,and the ability to change the world even a little bit with pictures. I was happy to run across this post from
APHOTOEDITOR.COM the other day that it inspired to begin the photogeek blog for the Flagstaff Photography Center since I am spending more time in Mexico than in Flagtown these days. I hope it will help inspire others to follow their own line of vision, and help foster image making and community.
I met Danny Lyon once. He was gracious and kind. I always feel silly to say tell photographers I admire how much I have loved their work at some gallery opening when I wish I could just photogeek out over a light table-over coffee or be stuck in a long road trip with them. I couldn't believe by doing an image search I found this particular image-it's influence and what it makes me feel still resonates in my own work and interest in people; the border, and my love for the Lady of Guadalupe who knows no borders.
NYTimes: Danny LYON articleA PHOTO EDITOR:Danny LyonIconographies: In Pictures we trust
