Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/08/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]SNIP -- Bill Welch wrote: I know Fred a bit too and did a magazine story on him a few years ago. You definitely should see his work if you get the opportunity. SNIP -- LUG, At noon today, Thursday, August 12th, I went to the National Museum of American History (NMAH) in Washington, D.C., to hear Fred Maroon and the museum exhibit curator, Michelle Delaney, discuss the significant photographs in the exhibit, "Photographing History -- The Nixon Years 1970 to 1974." Nicely placed in the Taylor Hall, right of the main entrance, the exhibit was marked by the Smithsonian, "No Photographs May Be Taken In the Exhibit." In my carry all was my Leica CL with a second generation Summicron f/2 35mm-M (Canada -- Ted). At the start of the gallery tour, Fred was answering some general questions and I asked (2nd question) "When will we be given a photo opportunity with Fred?" Michelle, the curator said, "If it is okay with Fred, I will not object to photos." Fred consented! I was the only shooter there, ready, and with a Leica. In a sitting sofa, I was lower and approximately 4 feet away from Fred's head and eyes. He was on a "bar stool" in front of blow ups of several of his photographs. Earlier and coming into the gallery without checking the meter, the CL and Summicron were preset (estimate f/2 @ 1/30 or f2.8 @ 1/60) for the overhead spots. While I was quietly squeezing the shutter release, the TTL meter confirmed my estimate. Fred tilts his head back when he listens to a question, so the overheads spots did a nice job of filling in his face. He is really animated and fun to shot. And yes, I would have loved to have attended one of his photo seminars earlier. Later, with Fred in the foregound, motioning with his hands towards various photographs, I squeezed off a number of other shots, making sure that he was in a spot light. I got twelve (12) discrete frames of Fred as we toured, and he explained the location and shooting situation of various photographs in the exhibit. The majority of his photos in the exhibit were shot on Tri-X with either with a Leica M with a Super-Angulon f/3.4 21mm (White House) or an Leica SL MOT with a telephoto (Watergate Hearings), usually the Telyt-R f/6.8 (push button follow focus) hand held with the stock. He also had some 15mm shots, one of John Mitchell (Nixon's former law partner and his appointed U.S. Attorney General). Three of Fred's cameras and lenses are on display in a wall case. They are a very clean Leica M3 with the f/3.4 21mm and finder, and two Leica SL MOT (with the drives) with the tellys -- one with the stock. You may see some of Fred Maroon's exhibit at <www.si.edu/nmah>. Click on the Fred J. Maroon Exhibit Symbol, upper left corner, and on the home page for the exhibit, scroll down to the word "Exhibit" and then click for the photographs. Enjoy! Fred did have a copy of his book, which had been air mailed by the printer to him for the gallery walk -- it looked fantastic and is very reasonable. I was told $29.95 when it is available in a couple of weeks. I will double check that price at NMAH's museum store. The exhibition is on view through December 5, 1999. Fred will be giving a talk on Thursday evening, September 9, 1999, 1800 to 2000 hours in the Carmichael Auditorium, NMAH. It is free, but you need reservations, Call (202) 357-3030, and ask for a reservation at the Fred J. Maroon/Marc J. Pachter talk about "The Nixon Years 1969-1974: White House to Watergate" (also the title of the book). Mike Crist and I, tentatively, are planning to attend. Perhaps after Fred's talk on the 9th, we (the MidAtlantic LUG) could hoist a couple of beers at either John H*, a brew pub about four blocks away, or the District Chop House (another brew pub) about six blocks away. Let's talk. You may use Metrorail. Remember David W. Almy, another LUGGER, has his photo exhibit at Air and Space Museum in the west hall on the first floor. You can get two for one in a late afternoon and early evening in September! Best Regards (a happy shooter), Bill Caldwell <sneeker@erols.com>