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Bill Pierce - Leica M photog and author

 

“Our autobiography is written in our contact sheets,  and our opinion of the world in our selects”  

"Never ever confuse sharp with good, or you will end up shaving with an ice cream cone and licking a razor blade."  

 

Bill Pierce is one of the most successful Leica photographers and authors ever. I initially "met" Bill in the wonderful 1973 15th edition Leica Manual (the one with the M5 on the cover). I kept reading and re-reading his four chapters, continually amazed at his knoweldge and ability, thinking "if I only knew a small part of what this guy knows... wow."  I looked foward to his monthly columns in Camera 35 and devoured them like a starving man.  Bill has worked as a photojournalist  for 25 years, keyword: WORK.  Many photogs dream of the professional photographer's  life that Bill has earned and enjoyed.  Probably Bill's most famous pic is Nixon departing the White House for the last time, victory signs still waving. 

 

Bill  has been published in many major magazines, including  Time, Life, Newsweek, U.S. News, The New York Times Sunday Magazine, New York Magazine, Stern, L'Express and Paris Match.  :His published books include  The Leica Manual,  War Torn, Survivors and Victims in the Late 20th Century, Homeless in America,  Human Rights in China,  Children of War.  Add to that numerous exhibitions at major galleries and museums.  Magazine contributions include  Popular Photography,  Camera 35, Leica Manual,  Photo District News, the Encyclopedia of Brittanica, the Digital Journalist, and now RFF.  Major awards include Leica Medal of Excellence, Overseas Press Club's Oliver Rebbot Award for Best Photojournalism from Abroad,  and the World Press Photo's Budapest Award. Perhaps an ever bigger award is Tom Abrahamsson's comment: "If you want to know Rodinal, ask Bill."

 

I met Bill in person through our mutual friend Tom Abrahamsson.  In person his insight and comments are every bit as interesting and engaging as his writing.  He is a great guy who really KNOWS photography.  I am happy to say he has generously agreed to host this forum at RFF  From time to time Bill will bring up topics, but you are also invited to ask questions.  Sit down and enjoy the ride!

 


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One of the finer men
Old 10-11-2011   #1
Bill Pierce
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One of the finer men

May I suggest this piece on one of the finer men in this racket.

http://www.bjp-online.com/british-jo...cullin-profile
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Old 10-11-2011   #2
Brian Sweeney
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That is a powerful story of a life.

Gives some appreciation for what a top PJ goes through, a level of dedication not required from most jobs.
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Old 10-11-2011   #3
SimonSawSunlight
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I always liked McCullin.
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Old 10-11-2011   #4
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Thank you, that guy's my favorite photographer.
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Old 10-11-2011   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Sweeney View Post
That is a powerful story of a life.

Gives some appreciation for what a top PJ goes through, a level of dedication not required from most jobs.
Brian -

I spent a lot of time, after thinking that I had discovered powerful and strong stories and had them to myself, having people say, “Mr. McCullin was here this morning.” Once I actually had someone say, “Mr. McCullin was here a week ago.”

Pierce
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Old 10-11-2011   #6
Keith
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Quote:
“What’s the point of getting killed if you’ve got the wrong exposure?”

What a line ... that stopped me in my tracks!
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Old 10-20-2011   #7
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The Financial Times had a good review of the IWM show on Thursday:

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/68a60...#axzz1bMfh99cD

I'm kicking myself for not seeing it when I was in London a couple of weeks ago (but it's there until mid-April). The book based on the show is very good, and I also recommend a copy of his autobio, "Unreasonable Behavior."
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Old 01-04-2012   #8
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Back in London over New Year's weekend, and this time saw the show at the Imperial War Museum. Well worth the trip. Admission to the IWM is free, though the McCullin exhibition is an additional 7 quid. The IWM is housed in the former mental asylum (Bedlam) on the Lambeth Road. A blue plaque on a house across the road marks the former residence of Capt. William Bligh of HMS Bounty.

The McCullin exhibit is a great retrospective of his career. It's noted that he was very frugal with film when he went off on his foreign assignments, usually restricting himself to 30 rolls; he came back from the Battle of Hue with 28, and says (in an interview that runs as part of the exhibit) that he thinks about the missing two rolls to this day.
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Old 01-05-2012   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Pierce View Post
Brian -

I spent a lot of time, after thinking that I had discovered powerful and strong stories and had them to myself, having people say, “Mr. McCullin was here this morning.” Once I actually had someone say, “Mr. McCullin was here a week ago.”

Pierce
Awesome Bill, made me laugh. I hate it when that happens
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Old 01-06-2012   #10
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A super interview. His remarkable photographs are a reflection of the man.
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Old 01-06-2012   #11
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Thanks for posting, you are always kind to give us information that many of us would never run across.
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