Re: [Leica] Pulizer and being there

[DonjR43198@aol.com]

It is quite an honor just being nominated for a Pulitzer in my opinion.  I 
have been around photography for over 40 years and have not even shaken the 
hand of a person nominated for a Pulitzer.  Luck may have something to do 
with it such as the OKC bombing but experience and skill will play its part.  
It is good to have one or more on board the LUG so we snap shooters may have 
access to your wealth of expertise.

It is pleasing to note 35 mm is the camera of choice for working journalists. 
 In 1957, I was thrilled to get to work for Frank Garner, Chief Photographer, 
at the Norman Transcript because he had pioneered 35 mm work in the OKC area 
while his counterparts were still using 4X5 cameras.  He convinced the 
editors at both the Norman Transcript and Daily Oklahoman, through 
side-by-side comparisons, that 35 mm could produce the same quality as the 
4X5 and the content was often superior.  Frank carried two M-3's and a full 
complement of lenses in the little Leica camera bag.  He would jump on a 
plane for Columbia, Missouri, shoot the Sooners and Tigers, have the trainer 
hand me the Plus-X film cartridges upon their return at the airport that 
evening and we would have prints on the Sunday morning sports page.  It was 
his view the Leica cameras and lenses opened the door for the later Nikon 
equipment.  Newspaper photography did not require the finest quality, at 
least at that time, so the Leica was not absolutely essential for feeding the 
Scan-O-Graver.

I take my hat off to you guys who make a living with 35's.