On the Shoulders of Greatness
Black Photographers Collective a non-for-profit (501) (c)(3) stands on the shoulders of many outstanding Black photographers who have paved the way for our participation in the challenging field of photography. Many may not know of the many wonderful achievements of these Black photographers, male and female whose work has graced museum and gallery walls, newspapers, magazines, and institutions thus, influencing subsequent generations of photographers towards capturing visual esthetic of beauty, pride, and dignity of Black life.
Gordon Parks’ (1912-2006) photography for Life Magazine is well known, along with his iconic photographs of Malcolm X and directing of music videos including the classic box office blockbuster film, “Shaft.” However, for several years, before Gordon ever picked up a camera, portrait photographer, Florestine Perrault Collins (1895-1988) was posing people with extreme reverence in her New Orleans, Louisiana studio.
The prolific work of Prentice H. Polk (1898-1984) of Tuskegee University in Alabama comes to mind whereby, no matter their station of life, George Washington Carver, field hand, elder, or working woman his work preserved the dignity of their faces and pride in their stances. Mr. Polk’s influence on Tuskegee student, Chester Higgins led to his outstanding photojournalism career with The New York Times.
Welcoming the Harlem Renaissance with master studio photographer, James Van Der Zee (1886-1983) and his iconic images of Harlemites inclusive of renowned artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat to the educator, entrepreneur, and activist, the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey and various personal portraits, dazzling the mind and creating expressive double exposures of loved ones dear to his ‘sitter’s’ hearts.
New York City photographer, Kwame Brathwaite (1938-2023) recently made his angelic transition, bestowing upon us several decades of memorable images, accompanied by iconic images of Bob Marley, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Nelson Mandela, and pioneering photographs of Harlem’s Black lifestyles. His contribution, along with his late brother, Pan African activist, and journalist, Elombe Brath helped launch the international 1960s “Black is Beautiful” movement featuring the lovely Grandassa Models which centered on rich, natural Black beauty.
The world has been blessed with the glorious talents of these outstanding photographers: portrait, jazz, street, author, and educator, Roy DeCarava (1919-2009), Pulitzer Prize (Ebony Magazine) winning photographer, Monetta Sleet Jr. (1926-1996), Harlem Documentary photographers, twins Morgan (1910-1993) and Marvin Smith (1910-2003), Muhammad Ali’s personal photographer, Howard Bingham (1939-2016), photography mentor, educator and original member of the Kamoinge (Swahili, meaning a group of people who are working together) Workshop, Louis Draper (1935-2002), Pittsburg Courrier’s photojournalist, Tennie Harris (1908-1998) and trailblazing Civil Rights photographer, the late great Elaine Tomlin (1928-1995) plus a host of extremely fine image-makers whose relevant works and illustrious careers have captured powerful moments of excellence on the essence of our lives.
Under the Fair Use Act of 1976, all images in this article are utilized for educational and scholarship purposes only. All copyrights belong to the artists.
This article was written and © by Howard T. Cash- May 10, 2023
