Pigsty.

Bill Haw at a South Dakota hog processing facility.

©Eli Reichman, 2012. All Rights Reserved.

Big Wheel.

A Fortune Magazine shoot at a Goodyear tire plant.

©Eli Reichman, 2012. All Rights Reserved.

Such a deal!

While I’m on the road, I’ll be posting a few archived portraits I’ve produced for various magazines over the years.

One of my favorites was this shoot I did for Forbes Magazine of Rose Blumkin, founder and owner of the first Nebraska Furniture Mart, in Omaha, Nebraska. None other than Warren Buffett took such a shine to Mrs. B’s company that Buffett’s company, Berkshire Hathaway, purchased controlling interest of her operation in 1984.

Mrs. B., was born Dec. 3, 1893, in Schidrin, a village near Minsk and passed away in August 1998 at the age of 104, in Omaha, Nebraska.

Over time, Nebraska Furniture Mart has morphed into a retail giant, but Mrs. B’s credo remains at the forefront of the chain’s retailing dynamic:

”Sell cheap, tell the truth, don’t cheat nobody.”

©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Just Jump.

I’m shooting on the road for the next several weeks, so blog posts will be scant.

In the meantime, here is one of my favorite images from a recent editorial shoot.

©Eli Reichman, 2012. All Rights Reserved.

Sleeping Giants.

A grouping of aspen tress in Colorado.

©Eli Reichman, 2012. All Rights Reserved.

Reflection.

Modern life is filled with far too much noise.

Here is a small dose of peace from the last quarter of 2011.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Blessings and grace in 2012.

Red State.

From recent travels through Oklahoma.

©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Turning Point.

©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Eye Candy.

Happy Monday.

©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Flashback Friday.

As a child, I loved my Hot Wheels car collection.  I smiled when I saw this life-sized edition parked on the streets of Salida, CO.

©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Respite.

 North of Buena Vista, Colorado.

A walk in the woods.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Tailwinds.

Julian, circa 1978. ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Dad,

The wind blew hard across the lake yesterday, a steady 15-20 out of the southeast, kicking swells up to three feet.  I thought I felt your hand on my shoulder, but there was no need to worry when it came to navigating those perilous waters, I had a good teacher.

As promised, I have returned to our beloved Leech Lake to bid you farewell. The two of us here together again, one last time.  It was here as a child that I watched you breathe in the crisp northern air, draw in the view with a smile and saw the worries drop from your shoulders, any troubles left well behind you.  In this place you were at peace with your lot in life.

It’s raining here today.  A solitary loon sings its haunting melody in the nearby shallows.  I close my eyes, recalling the smell of bacon frying as I lay in bed, the mass of rods and reels forever entangled with one another and your pipe, firmly wedged against your square jaw as you captained our boat across the rough expanses of water seeking out a worthy prey ~ the mighty walleye.  These scenes, well-etched in my mind, were repeated so often they became legend.  And this magical place, replete with its mystical sites: Submarine, The Annex, Red Rocks, Chippewa Bar, Bear Island . . . will never be quite the same without you.

Yesterday, as I worked the lake in search of your prized fish, I realized much of what I needed to know about living well, I learned as a youngster on these very waters: get up early, work hard, persevere, get a good nights rest, embrace each day as a new beginning and life will be full.  I would not have learned these lessons had you not been there to guide me.

I landed a nice walleye for you off the northwest tip of Bear, but then, you knew I would.  I named him, Oscar.  Are you smiling?

The time has come to leave this holy ground you so cherished.  The car awaits, the compass points south.  I’m counting on you to send a mighty tailwind my way and ease the journey home.  Onward, through the familiar way stations of Sauk Centre, Windom, Spirit Lake and onto other grand adventures, yet to be discovered.

With love and gratitude always, Eli.

On Parade.

Sugar Creek, MO.  July 4, 2011 parade.

Photograph ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Photograph ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Photograph ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Photograph ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Photograph ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Photograph ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Photograph ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Photograph ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Photograph ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Photograph ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

10 into 1.

The Kansas flatlands at sunset.

©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

One Step.

May 20, 2011 will be a day Sam will always cherish.

As I’ve written previously on the blog, Sam became a distance runner at the beginning of his freshman year at Shawnee Mission South.  A three-year varsity letterman in both cross country and track, he’s enjoyed great successes – most notably this past fall as captain of the cross country team that finished 2nd in the Kansas Boys 6A state meet.

Friday night at the Kansas Boys 6A regional track meet, Sam found a big gear at the finish of the 1600 meter race.  With 100 meters to the tape, Sam was lagging behind his teammate, junior Brett Schauwecker. Then in the final 60 meters, Sam dug deep, surging past his good friend to place fourth and qualify for the State meet next weekend in Wichita.

It was a bit of a bittersweet moment . . . so much happiness for Sam finally accomplishing a long sought after goal, but understanding how tough it was for Brett to miss out on his own opportunity to qualify for the State meet.  I have no doubt Brett will bounce back from this momentary setback and work his own magic next year throughout his senior cross country and track grand finale.

Here’s wishing all the SM South track and field athletes good luck next weekend!

Sam Reichman, Kansas 6A qualifier, boys 1600 meter. ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Chicken. Man.

While on Saint-Barthelemy our host was Paul Gillespie.

I don’t recall ever spending time with a more gracious and gentle human being than Paul.  Over the past few months Paul’s world has been overrun by this flock of young chickens.

After the mother hen hatched this brood of baby chicks, she flew the coop, never to return.  Paul took over the mama’s daily duties, doting over the chicks and nurturing the group into very social creatures.  It’s fairly certain that Paul enjoys the birds company as much as they do his.

Paul Gillespie and his brood of chicks. ©Eli Reichman, 2011.

Paul Gillespie and his brood of chicks. ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Paul Gillespie and his brood of chicks. ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Repose.

From the fishing hamlet of Corossol.

Relaxing at La Bobine. ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Catch du Jour.

While in Gustavia I met fisherman Peter Laurent.  The following day Laurent kindly allowed me to join him on the morning lobster run.

Gustavian fisherman Peter Laurent navigates his boat 8 miles out to sea. ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

With 200 lobster traps scattered throughout the sea, Laurent heads out at 5:30am checking 30-50 traps twice a week. ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

A blowfish was caught in one of the traps. ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

The island of St. Barts is a distant memory as Laurent spends hours pulling, baiting and resetting his traps. ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

The mornings catch is watered down before heading back to port. ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Sea. Food.

Dinner tonight.

Fresh off the boat in Gustavia. ©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Brian Lanker, 1947-2011.

 

Brian Lanker died Sunday, March 13th from pancreatic cancer.  A photographic genius and a poetic story teller’s vision has been silenced. Thankfully his photographs will endure.  http://bit.ly/gDdkL5 http://brianlanker.com/

 

Artifacts IV.

My first trip across the pond.

Standby passengers were relegated to the smoking section.  Yuck!

©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Artifacts III.

 

In 1974 I took some of my first pictures with this Auto Graflex Jr.

 

©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

A Small Idea.

 

“Ideologies separate us. Dreams and anguish bring us together.”

Eugene Ionesco.

Artifacts II.

African ladle.

©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Artifacts I.

Continuing on with relics from the past.

An NYC subway token from my first trip to the Big Apple in 1979.

©Eli Reichman, 2011. All Rights Reserved.

La La Land.

 

A token autobiographical moment.

My 1978 LA Times press pass.

archive III.

This post is dedicated to my daughter Rachel who is currently studying in England this semester.

_________________________________

I once had the pleasure of shaking George Harrison’s hand.

In 1979, former Beatle George Harrison held a press conference in Los Angeles, promoting the recent release of his album, George Harrison.  It was a small, intimate affair with invitations extended to select members of the LA press corp.  I was sent by the LA Times to cover the event.

Towards the end of the conference several reporters baited Harrison with the taunt “do something special for the cameras.”  It seemed an inane request, but without hesitation Harrison flashed a quick grin and luckily I captured him in the act.

As Harrison prepared to leave I moved towards the exit door.  He stopped in front of me, extended his hand and said, “thanks for coming.”

The following day his photograph ran on the Times View section cover.

George Harrison. LA press conference 1979. ©Eli Reichman, 1979-2011. All Rights Reserved.

Former Beatle, George Harrison surrounded by members of the LA press corp. ©Eli Reichman, 1979-2011. All Rights Reserved.

Do We Have a Moment?

Tucson, Arizona.  January 8, 2011.

The news of the attempted assassination of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords and the deaths of 6 innocent bystanders marks a sobering time in America.  All Americans, regardless of political affiliation bear some responsibility for this tragedy.

We have tolerated and oftentimes embraced contemporary political theater as a justifiable means to an end.  Saturday’s shooting marks a sad turning point in this country’s history and our collective behavior is no longer acceptable.  We must demand that every politician, every media organization, family members, friends and foe move beyond the constant spate of heightened inflammatory rhetoric and debate ideological policy differences in a mutually respectful dialogue.

If anything positive is to come from one insane act, this is the only path forward.

Bewitched.

2011.

My two amazing kids.

©Eli Reichman, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

Are all grown up now.

©Eli Reichman, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

©Eli Reichman, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

©Eli Reichman, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

Peace and happiness to all.

 

 

Hidden in Plain Sight.

Winter has set upon us as the holidays draw near.

Every year gone by represents a time of wonder and quiet reflection.  As is the custom, this season will be marked with festive gatherings of families and friends.

But for some citizens in our great society, these days are filled with darkness.  We pass by them everyday, pretending they are not us.  Yet they live on, cast offs of a family no longer seen.  Like lost souls having fallen from grace, these individuals become broken and destitute, often existing without aid.

We have listened as politicians invoke the Judeo-Christian ethic, promising the moon in exchange for a vote.  As a new Congress prepares to be seated, we should demand they create lasting policy aimed at helping all the less fortunate living among us.  This is what any righteous society would do.

Teresa Wagner gets high off the fumes of a spray paint can. ©Eli Reichman, 1985/2010. All Rights Reserved.

"When I was a kid, we swam a lot and played football and baseball. I was well behaved and well spoken. Same way I am now." Manuel Bielma. ©Eli Reichman, 1985/2010. All Rights Reserved.

"When we got to Muskogee, man, he didn't know how to get to Louisiana. We were supposed to go there and make a lot of money. The dude, he left. I stayed here." Manuel Carillo. ©Eli Reichman, 1985/2010. All Rights Reserved.

"They call me 'the Mayor' because I used to wear a tie. I got rolled so many times and they cut my tie off. The last time I wore a tie was to a funeral. A guy committed suicide." Ira Hudgens. ©Eli Reichman, 1985/2010. All Rights Reserved.

Teresa Wagner staggers from another hit of the spray paint. ©Eli Reichman, 1985/2010. All Rights Reserved.

Teresa Wagner loses consciousness from sniffing paint fumes. ©Eli Reichman, 1985/2010. All Rights Reserved.

Teresa Wagner returns to her makeshift home on the north side of downtown Tulsa, OK. ©Eli Reichman, 1985/2010. All Rights Reserved.

 

da Sheameister!

I’m guessing there aren’t that many young skateboarders with a full half-pipe in their backyard.  But, the Donavan’s aren’t your typical family either, so it wasn’t surprising to learn they made this dream come true for their younger son, Shea.  How cool is it that a mere 25 meters from the house sits your own private skateboard nirvana?  The Sheameister thinks it’s pretty sweet!

©Eli Reichman, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

©Eli Reichman, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

My Dogs Eat Apples.

It is true, my dogs really do eat apples.

Honestly, they eat pretty much anything you might toss their way.  They’re not picky or demanding.  In fact, they appear quite content to have a comfortable bed to sleep on, food in their tummy and a hearty ear rub.

Dogs really do have life figured out, don’t they?

©Eli Reichman, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

©Eli Reichman, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

Cliffhanger.

I wandered around last Sunday morning, camera in hand, while a few friends ran the annual Cliffhanger race.

All photographs ©Eli Reichman, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

All photographs ©Eli Reichman, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

All photographs ©Eli Reichman, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

A Hill Beyond.

“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure… than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.”  Theodore Roosevelt.

A few of my photographs from this years class of SM South senior cross country runners.  Congratulations to them all.  It’s been a great ride.

Sam Reichman. 3 year varsity letter. ©Eli Reichman, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

Kerry Kurta. 3 year varsity letter. ©Eli Reichman, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

James Greene. Varsity letter. ©Eli Reichman, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

It’s Sarah Palin Sunday. The Final Edition.

A nation founded by immigrants, America has always been a fascinating jigsaw puzzle . . . a collection of imperfect pieces melded together as one.  Today the stability of the country’s future is tenuous, clouded by a competing array of racial, religious and ideological factions.  To mold this collection of disparate forces into a unified whole requires leadership built on altruistic principles, not the current spate of divide and conquer partisan politics U.S. voters are enslaved by.

It is understandable when individuals turn against a government they believe has forsaken its democratic foundations.  It’s also obvious that an entrenched bureaucracy will take advantage of the same fractured electorate to perpetuate a broken system, disguising it as something new.  We’ve grown accustomed to bellicose political rhetoric during contentious periods in our nations history, but one should not confuse obstructionism and misinformation for an effective legislative agenda.

Every election cycle is like a pendulum and this Tuesday Americans across the country head to polling places facing another ideological crossroads.  Sarah Palin’s vision endorses a slate of candidates offering no radically new policy considerations, but they have successfully tapped into the overabundance of voter hostility.  Mrs. Palin and her cronies have not offered up anything more than reworked versions of the same poorly conceived programs already compromising the core health of the country’s economic future.  Why then would any rational person want more of the same?  It takes individuals with well thought out and innovative ideas to lead a country through these challenging times.

If there is one universal tie binding us together, it is our children.  We bring them into this world full of hope and wonder.  We watch over and nurture them.  We teach them their ABC’s and how to play nice with their friends and foes alike.  We take them to ball games, museums and concerts.  We dress them up for proms and send them off to college to become good citizens at home and abroad.  It is a mighty commitment.

Photograph ©Eli Reichman, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

In return it is each new generations responsibility to make the world a better place for all, not just those they self-identify with.  Likewise, it is every politicians obligation to tackle difficult and divisive issues for the benefit of an entire country, not a single preferential group.

This Tuesday, let us vote for hope over hate.  Our country’s future depends on it.