Slow Photography #36 Amazing Grace from The Heart: Photographer, Humanist & Teacher John White

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John H. White is a spiritual man. Seeing his work, we think of two words: Amazing grace. 

Mr. White sums it up this way: "every human being has a song."

Born in North Carolina, White was among the first Black photographers employed by American newpapers. He also won a Pulitzer Prize for consistently excellent work on a variety of subjects”, including his masterpieces of life in Chicago. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_H._White_%28photojournalist%29)

Interviewed after being fired by the Chicago Sun Times, White noted: "It was as if they pushed a button and deleted a whole culture of photojournalism." He added: “Now is a time for me to refurbish. All my life, I’ve been trying to figure out ‘God’s syllabus."

The layoff story went national and of course was shared on Facebook.

The Chicago Sun-Times fired 29 photographers last May 31. At the time, the company said it would rely on wire services and free-lancers and train its reporters on “iPhone photography basics.” Many in the photography community were shocked by the layoffs.

Gregory Favre responded to the layoffs at the time: " there is a loss of loyalty. … Most reporters will deliver point-and-shoot snapshots, not penetrating and revealing coverage. Skilled professionals bring a unique eye and feel to their craft.”

Fast forward to March 2014. Photographers Rich Chapman, Brian Jackson, Al Podgorski were hired back after a contract settlement. John White did not return. He moved his unique vision and teaching skills to Columbia College, to share them with photography students there.

Today, John White teaches at Columbia College, Chicago. In November 2013, Mr. White won the Lucie Award for great achievement in photography, one of 300 awards he's earned.  (http://theloop.colum.edu/s/644/staffnewsletter.aspx?&gid=26&pgid=4696&crid=0 )

To get a look at White's work and his awards, see a 3-minute video here of John White's outstanding images and Lucie award. (http://vimeo.com/78297625)

Bottom Line: With guidance from humanists beings like John White, the graceful work of photography can sing a hopeful song.

Thanks for visiting. Jim Austin Jimages


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