When I Tailed the Legendary Spencer Platt

So maybe ‘legendary’ is a little overstating it, but Spencer Platt is one of the most established photojournalists out there today. This photo happened earlier this year, while I was still in New York, and had arranged to tail the Getty Images photographer on one of his daily shooting assignments. The whole ‘operation’ probably lasted no more than two to three hours, but it was a humbling-yet-nourishing experience seeing him work and simply chatting over coffee.

Image courtesy of NPPA

Memories of this day rushed back as I read his “Notes on the Field” on the latest issue of Digital Journalist, a monthly, online magazine. Looking at his shocking photos of Somali refugees in Kenya, I was reminded of his photos taken on 9/11 and in Beirut, one of which won the high honor in the World Press Photo awards. His photos are technically simple, yet they convey brutal truths of the world to anyone who views them. My interactions with Platt also gave me hints that he’s a straight shooter — he behaves cool and collected, but he’s fully aware of reality around him and in the world.

I believe that’s why he’s traveled to Lebanon in wartime, and now to Kenya. When he hears about an social issue that needs to be covered, he goes. It’s a noble characteristic that I admire greatly. Photojournalism was my original intention when I turned a pro shooter, yet I find it so difficult to cover what needs to be covered, without the insurance, the backing of a media organization. Perhaps the biggest challenge to a photojournalist is to have the courage to dive into the middle of the ocean on your own, with all your gear and no life jacket.

Right now I’m leaning on other genres of photography to make rent and keep my refrigerator full, but I still harbor ‘fantasies’ of being a full fledged photojournalist. I rely on inspiration from great photographers. Spencer Platt’s one of them, and I’m honored to have met him, even if I never quite reach to his heights.

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