Re: new American Photo issue

[Fred Ward <fward@erols.com>]

There are 2-3 items of interest in the new (September-October, 1996)
issue of AMERICAN PHOTO, a glossy photography magazine here that
publishes material not usually seen in the photo rags that pass as
photographer magazines in the US. The publication is now owned by a
French firm, which seems a peculiar investment for the French, but I
must say the new owners have kept the look and maintained an interest in
showing some other sides to photography.. 

That all said, the items of interest:

On pages 12-13 there is a small article on Yul Brynner and his
photographs. He was an avid photographer throughout his acting years and
took pictures on the sets where he worked. Other magazines through the
years have published his work and how his daughter has published a book
of his Leica images. On page 13 there is a self-portrait of Yul in his
dressing room, with some of his KING AND I makeup on, holding a Leica
M3, shooting himself and Leica in a mirror. It is a self-timer model of
the M3 (with a strange lens that Marc will probably identify) and is
marked as being taken in 1952. 

Then on page 17 there is a full page color ad for Leica that is part of
its new-look advertising. No camera shows anywhere. The ad title is THE
LEICA M-PHOTOGRAPHER and it has two color images, one each by Lori
Grinker and another by Lise Sarfati. Booth are hard-hitting journalism
pictures. Nothing pretty about either. Tough images in fact.  And a new
direction for Leica. The ad goes with the these of this issue in fact,
which has a banner on the cover asking, IS PHOTOJOURNALISM DEAD?

And following the Leica ad are two pages of advertising by Rollei. Since
several on here are also on the Rollei list, I thought I would mention
this ad too. On the left page are 3 color pictures of Rollei compacts,
the Prego family, including the model 90, the Zoom, and the Micron.  On
the opposite page is a half page on the Rolleiflex 2.8 GX, which it
describes as the first twin lens reflex with through the lens metering,
and with through the lens flash metering. There is not a word or picture
about a single lens reflex camera. And the last camera shown or
mentioned is the new Rollei 35 Classic, an updated version of the
legendary Rollei 35 with all aluminum body and available in three
precious metal finishes, titanium, platinum, or gold (gold is pictured).
Comes with Sonnar 2.8 40mm HFT lens. 

Take a look if you get a chance.

Fred Ward