And That's The Way It Is

Walter Cronkite died today. This extraordinary man was the definition of a journalist and once held the trust of millions of Americans in a fashion that few other reporters ever could. Throughout much of my early life, what happened in the world was revealed to me through him every night on CBS.

In late 1980, I was a first year member of my elementary school’s “Quiz Bowl” team. Trivia has always been a strength, but I was scared to death. I was a substitute, but somewhere in the first match, I got in the game. Before long, a question came up, “In February of 1981, the anchor ofthe CBS Evening News…” I never heard the rest of the question. No one did, because I buzzed in. I knew the answer was either Walter Cronkite, the icon of network news, or Dan Rather, the man who would replace him. Fortunately, I guessed Cronkite. For such profoundly different reasons, both men had a tremendous impact on the history of network journalism.

Walter Cronkite truly paid his dues to become the face of CBS news. While with the United Press, he landed in a glider with the 101st Airborne in Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands. He flew on a B-17 bombing mission over Germany and covered the Battle of the Bulge and the Nuremberg trials. He becamethe anchorman of the CBS Evening News in 1962. It was Cronkite who interrupted As The World Turns to break the story that President Kennedy had been assassinated. His coverage of the moon landings of Apollo 11 brought CBS’s new programming unprecedented ratings. And when Cronkite told the world during the Tet Offensive in Vietnam that the war was unwinnable, President Johnson commented, “If I’ve lost Cronkite, I’ve lost middle America.”

Oddly, as much as Cronkite built the CBS Evening News to what it was at its pinnacle, it was Dan Rather, his replacement, who brought it and much of the credibility of network journalism crashing down. Accused of using forged documents to further a story critical of President Bush, Rather seemed to prove what so many had charged… that he was “rather biased”. So, what was the frequency Kenneth?

So at the age of 92, Walter Cronkite signed off for the last time. Cited as the “most trusted man in America” in opinion polls, Cronkite set a standard that will likely never be seen again. Goodbye Mr. Cronkite. We have missed you for years. “And that’s the way it is. July 18, 2009.”

Electric Magic

No matter how long or difficult a day goes, getting behind a camera is always the therapy I need. The ills of my day fade, even if for a moment, as everything is reduced to lighting and composition.

So many of the photos I dream of taking involve models. But as a good friend recently pointed out, product photography may be my bread and butter. So tonight, I grabbed a few items lying around the house and used some creative lighting to complete a few images shot for stock. I’ve had this assignment in my head for some time. And I’m pretty pleased with the results. It’s the miracle of electricity. See the whole set.

So how was it done? Believe me, it wasn't too difficult, although I must admit, at least one $.79 duplex receptacle sacrificed it's life in the line of duty for this project. The most important part was having a 105mm macro lens. A couple of gelled gridspots gave some hard light. As for the rest, there has to be some suspense, right?

Bad News

“I’m not like other guys,” he says with desire in his eye.
“I know.” She smiles back at him. “That’s what I love about you.”
Of course, two minutes later, he’s a were cat, whatever that is. And she ends up suing for unpaid royalties. Seriously.

I guess it turns out those words were more prophetic than anyone could ever imagine. 750 million records sold, 13 Grammy Awards, 13 number one singles in his solo career, a Pepsi commercial gone awry, at least four nose jobs, a child molestation acquittal, and a heart attack later, the “King of Pop” is dead.

It seems appropriate that Michael Jackson ended up dying amid controversy and mystery at the young age of 50? Jessie Jackson is calling for answers. The live in doctor is dodging blame. And Jackson’s mother just got custody of three kids.

I remember the night quite well. It was a cold December evening. I was in the eighth grade and was trying to find my place in the high school band, an organization I could belong to and participate in even during my last year of elementary school. There was a party at Gwen Fordham’s house. Mark Hall, who played the clarinet, was totally obsessed with Michael Jackson. And MTV, an upstart cable network, was airing a new video—Thriller.

Jackson played only a small role in my musical life. Our marching band played “Beat It” on the field my 9th grade year. Occasionally, The Grapevine will break into a chorus or two of “Billy Jean”. And while 80’s tunes make up the largest playlist on my iPod, there’s not a single track from Jackson to be found.
Not that his reputation needed much embellishment, but Jackson supposedly often leaked inaccurate or sensational rumors to promote an upcoming project. The moniker of “Whacko Jacko” was earned. Unfortunately, his career and significance as a musician waned as his oddities and episodes of just plain weirdness piled up.

So on the same day that saw the loss of Johnny Carson’s sidekick and the Six Million Dollar Man’s former wife, Michael Jackson leaves this planet, perhaps for the one he came from. Only time will tell if history remembers him for those thirteen number one songs or for one white glove, a baby held over a railing, or endless jokes about boy’s pants at K-Mart.