This morning when I was going through my routine of checking various things on the internet--emails, and the usual sites ----in my case I look at the national press photographer's site usually right after checking my business site and the Meadville Tribune site to see what is happening in the world of photojournalism. I saw today that the announcements of the Pulitzer for this year were to be announced at 3 p.m. A certain sadness came over me--though it is always hopeful seeing what gets recognized, this past year I could boast --chest out fully that my friend and colleague in news photography--Craig F. Walker was the Pulitzer Prize winner.And I will continue to boast! This is an incredible honor and since he has, in fact, won it for 2010----no one can ever take it away from him. He is in the history books. And as interested as I am to see this new work take on a global significance just like Craig's work did a year ago, I don't want to by pass the importance that work done in the past by Eddie Adams and Nick Ut and Stanley Foreman and Chris Carter and and and and...... the list is long....... Even though winning big prizes are great--they come with a burden to produce--and produce over and over again. This is unfair. Because those of us dedicated to our craft understand that we do produce daily---and with vigor and significance! Yet only one or two reach the acknowledgment of the the Pulitzer. We understand, as journalist, that our little local stories are important in a local/regional context--and every once in awhile they reach beyond---thats what Craig's work on the Ian Fischer story did--a local kid that spoke volumes about every soldier--every kid---every teen becoming and adult. Craig's work was/is brilliant, but now there is a new 'current' Pulitzer prize winner(Do you think I can convince one f them to come speak at our college here in NW Pa.?????)
My wife just said a --'he is relieved of his duties'---this is perfect!!!!
Above is a picture of Craig's camera during his visit to NW Pennsylvania to talk at Allegheny College. Photograph taken at Sprague's brewery in Venango PA. I think Craig was in the bathroom!
My wife just said a --'he is relieved of his duties'---this is perfect!!!!
Above is a picture of Craig's camera during his visit to NW Pennsylvania to talk at Allegheny College. Photograph taken at Sprague's brewery in Venango PA. I think Craig was in the bathroom!