Introduction to Photography

In the mid-sixties, my education into cameras began with the life-changing experience of being a local guide for Life Magazine photographer Stephen Shapiro and LA Times journalist Pete Johnson. Both were in Memphis covering the untimely death of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This was an eye-opening encounter that had me operating behind the scenes for several days. Being their driver and escorting them to the site of the tragic shooting of Dr. King at the Loraine Hotel and also to the flop-house where James Earl Ray was staying was exceptionally haunting. Although I was their driver, I quietly stayed in the background as to avert attention to an already very tense atmosphere. Both Shapiro and Johnson were supported with all-access press passes that allowed us to move freely during the city wide curfew. National Guard tanks roamed the streets at night as to enforce the lock-down. It was not a good time to leave your home. The next day a parade was held on main street to honor Dr. King and the striking sanitation workers, the three of us were front and center of the parade to capture the best photo of the news event. On the final day, I drove the two of them back to the airport where they photographed Senator Bobby Kennedy's private plane sent there to escort Dr. Kings body back for burial. Upon completion of my task we shook hands at the car rental counter and settled-up. For compensation of my guide services I earned enough money to purchased my very first camera, a $250 35MM Yashika SLR.