Blog Archives

Steve McCurry, American photographer, is born on this day in 1950. McCurry’s most famous image, a photo of Sharbat Gula was taken in 1984 in Pakistan. The photo appeared on the cover of National Geographic. McCurry says: “The first thing you need to do when you approach people is to see them and relate to them as real people, not somehow quaint or foreign,” he emphasizes. “If you can just relate to people as real people and establish some rapport, whether you joke around with them or whatever, people respond and open up, and are happy to be photographed. I don’t think there’s any mystery or trick about it.”

Ansel Adams, American photographer and environmentalist, is born on this day in 1902. Adams’ pictures of western landscapes, especially Yosemite Park, helped with conservation efforts during the 1930s – 1960s. He said: “Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space. I know of no sculpture, painting or music that exceeds the compelling spiritual command of the soaring shape of granite cliff and dome, of patina of light on rock and forest, and of the thunder and whispering of the falling, flowing waters. At first the colossal aspect may dominate; then we perceive and respond to the delicate and persuasive complex of nature.”

Nashville sit-ins begin this day in 1960. By refusing to leave lunch counters when ordered, African American nonviolent campaigners fight to end racial segregation in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. News coverage is key to the success of the civil rights movement,  These sit-ins were coordinated by the Nashville student movement and the Nashville Christian Leadership Council, they were some of the first people to have success in disciplined nonviolence. The campaign lasted from the 13th of February to May 10th, over the course of the campaign sit-ins were staged at stores all across downtown Nashville. They consisted of mostly black college students and some white students who oppose the segregation, when these students would sit at the lunch counters white civilians would harass them and hit them but no would fight back. Eventually the students who sat at the lunch counters were arrested, over 150 students were but they were represented by a group of 13 lawyers. People were outraged by this and marched on city hall to confront the mayor. When he was asked if they should desegregate stores and lunch counters, he said yes they should. On May 10th 6 stores finally served black customers for the first time but up until the civil rights act in 1964, there would still be sit-ins at lunch counters and other places. (TV)

Cindy Sherman, an American photographer, born this day in 1954.

Burst of Joy photo of returning prisoner of war Lt. Col. Robert Stirm taken this day in 1973 by Slava “Sal” Veder. The Pulitzer-prize winning photo symbolized the end of the Vietnam War.

Diane Arbus American photographer born this day 1923.