Re: RE: RE: [Leica] John John Picture

[Ruralmopics@aol.com]

In a message dated 2/24/00 10:38:06 AM, bdcolen@earthlink.net writes:

>Thanks, Bob (who has been luck enough to lead a relatively peaceful life)
>
>McEowen, another fascinating example. You're right, of course, think of
>
>Epperidge and you think of the RFK photo - nothing since...

The experience really seems to have shattered Bill. It was strange to watch 
him show his "eye-openers" at the Missouri Photojournalism Workshop. All the 
other editors would show this really touching personal stuff -- Bill Stode's 
heart transplant story, Mellissa Farlow's stomach stapling story, Jim 
Richardson's Cuba, Kans, or High School USA -- and Bill would show this 
really "weird" stuff. I remember one year he showed a story he shot of a 
Narwhal whale hunt. Another year he showed a story about the non-game 
activities and sideline happenings at NFL football. It sort of seems like he 
was trying to stay in photojournalism without really engaging with people or 
their lives. That may be unfair, I don't know but it did seem like he was 
somehow emotionally crippled. With all that being said, I really liked the 
guy and always looked forward to seeing him and talking to him whenever he 
came to MU or I got to go to the workshop. I'll always remember him 
addressing students at MU. He was leaning his back against the wall and  
somebody asked him if he had any practical advice for a beginning 
photojournalist. He started scooting his butt sideways along the wall and 
said to always work your way slowly around the room, looking at the situation 
from different angles. Yeah, I know, really simple, basic advice but it -- 
and the image of Bill stealthily scooting around the room -- sticks with me 
to this day. One year when the workshop was held in the town where I was 
working I shot some photos of him and brought him a couple of prints. He 
acted like he was touched by the photos and the gesture. That may have been 
the last time I talked to him. I saw him on TV a year or so ago promoting his 
Bobby Kennedy book and he talked as if he had finally found some closure on 
the whole deal by doing the book. I hope so. He's a neat guy . . . 

Bob (apologizes for waxing poetic about Bill Epperidge) McEowen