.@NABJCC’s Pioneering Black Photographers: Turning a Lens in History discussion featuring @Suntimes alums Bob Black and John White and @chicagotribune alum Ovie Carter. @NABJ 
And Howard Simmons.
Bob Blacknsaid he got interested in photography at his church. The photogs saw he had a keen interest and took him under their wings. He then discovered the great Gordon Parks.
Ovie Carter is chronicling how he rose to become the first Black photog at the @chicagotribune.
Howard Simmons tells how he wa self-taught and the equipment he used started out. He’s also an alum of EBONY magazine.
EBONY was Simmons’ first photog job. “To go from nothing to EBONY is something.”
Bob Black is an @NABJ Hall of Famer.
Simmons said this was a “selfie” they took back in the day. The old school way was to use a self timer.
That “selfie” was taken in 1973.
John White said oftentimes they were the first responders to scenes.
“What we’re doing is for others, not for us. We’re the conduits.” -John White
White said many photogs wore bulletproof vests during assignments.
Simmons said newspaper photogs are the baddest photogs around.
Simmons is getting emotional as he talks about being vulnerable on assignments. He talked about several scenes he cried while shooting for the @Suntimes.
Black talks about how he unknowingly delivered, more than once, tragic news to families via his photos. The medical examiner didn’t alert the families of the news before they were allowed to see the press.
Black talks about being ready and getting a great shot in one frame. It takes getting to know/research the subject before you get to the assignment.
White said Gordon Parks called him and said always take a photo for them and take one for John. Now, he takes them all for John.
White said he brought this photo to share so he could show when he had black hair. 😂 He also said the photo was taken at an @NABJCC meeting.
White also showed his photos of Nelson Mandela in his home shortly after his prison release.
Simmons said some of his photos from his EBONY days are being sold with the archives, BUT most of what he shot remains in his ownership.
When asked about some of the best Black women photogs in news, Black mentioned Michelle Agins of the @nytimes.
