Fred Picker

[anthony_j._kohler]

Sorry, Mike, but it's not 'thanks for all the fish.' It should

be "thanks for teaching us how to fish."

 

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I've got two of Fred's cameras (4x5 & 8x10) and I couldn't be more

pleased with them.

 

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Tony

[jaume_princep]

For ever in my mind!

[jaume_princep]

Fred, for ever in my mind!

[brian_ellis3]

I never met Fred Picker but I remember well the time I called the

Zone VI studios shortly first becoming involved with photography to

ask a question about something in his Zone VI book. I expected a

receptionist to answer the phone and maybe some staff member to be

put on the line to help me but instead I heard a male voice answering

the phone saying "Zone VI Studios. This is Fred Picker, can I help

you?" I was a little taken aback at the idea that I was actually

talking with Fred Picker but I managed to ask my beginner's basic

question. He was very nice, very kind, very patient in trying to

explain whatever it was I asked about. I always thought of that

conversation when someone would say how rude or abrasive he was.

Certainly not to me.

[kevin_kolosky]

David

 

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I am intrigued by your suggestion.

 

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But who is "someone". Someone is all of us. Maybe all of us should

form a corporation and buy it back. Who should we get to run it now

that Fred is gone?

 

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Kevin

[gary_meader]

Fred once wrote, on the occasion of Ansel's dying, to "lift a glass

to him, he would appreciate that". I learned a lot from years of

studying Picker's materials and opinions: I'll lift a glass to him

now. Peace

[keith_pitman]

I attended his workshop in 1990. It was a terrific experience.

I'll always remember Fred's attention at each day's session and the

special privilege of seeing him print in his darkroom He was a

great guy and will be missed by the photographic community.

[psychophoto]

I come a generation late to the teachings of Fred Picker, but I am

not without my appreciation of a great figure in photography.

When I was first learning the art and craft of photography, I read

every book that I could get my hands on that related to

photography, but essentially two authors really formed how I

think about photography. There is, of course, the requisite Ansel

Adams, but early on I was also loaned copies of Fred Picker's

books and copies of all the old Zone VI newsletters. I learned a

great deal from those texts all and continue to get more out of

them as I re-read them. A great loss to photography to be sure.

He will be missed.

[steve_gangi2]

Mr. Picker will be sorely missed. Any time a craftsman/artist of his

stature passes, we all lose something and the world becomes a little

sadder.

[dan_skahan4]

I never met Fred Picker but his Zone VI 4x5 has taken me to many

wonderous and beautiful places. As a tribute to his passion for the

art visit..

http://members.shaw.ca/danskahan/zoneVI.html

Thank you Fred.

[rob_pietri5]

Lift a glass to Fred! Also, pull a dark slide, trip a shutter, print

a master piece, carry on in the tradition. One thing among many about

Fred, he was never afraid to stand up to the Yellow God father,

Kodak. He was always ready to voice his opinion, and hard facts about

the short falls of modern materials. He was the first to truly

innovate with his modifications, equipment design, inventions. He was

an honored torch barer. But one thing about true genious is that they

realize that they are only a link in the chain and they teach and

encourage others to carry on and improve, build upon what they

accomplished and taught. How many workshop alumni are there out

there? How many have been inspired by Fred Picker?

[john hannon]

I did a bit of research looking at the VT newspapers. I found the

following information about Fred.

 

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This is from the Brattleboro Reformer, VT 04/05/2002:

 

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Fred Picker

 

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DUMMERSTON -- Fred Picker, 75, of Dummerston, died Wednesday, April

3, 2002, after a long illness.

 

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An internationally celebrated photographer, author and teacher, he

was a champion of causes supporting civil liberties and the

environment.

 

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A graduate of The Putney School, Mr. Picker attended the University

of Vermont, taught skiing, raced sailboats, and passionately chased

fish from Russia to Tierra del Fuego with a fly rod.

 

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After serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Europe, he worked in the

family wine business with his father, Harold Picker, and uncle,

Jerome Picker. Mr. Picker pursued real estate development in

Westchester County, N.Y., until the late 1960s.

 

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With a love for the photographic art form, he returned to his beloved

Vermont and quickly rose to prominence with a successful publication

of numerous books and video tapes including "The Zone VI Workshop"

(which still has vibrant sales), "Rapa Nui: Easter Island," "The Fine

Print," and "An Iceland Portfolio." His Zone VI studios developed and

sold specialty photographic equipment and supplies worldwide. He ran

very successful workshops for serious amateur photographers for more

than 10 years.

 

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Mr. Picker approached life with calculated skill, daring, razor wit,

and ceaseless humor. His tastes in life were broad and refined. He

loved jazz, classical music, fine literature, gourmet cooking, Pink

Panther movies, and the solitude of his Dummerston home.

 

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He was a board member of the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, a

member of the Vermont Diversion Board, and a governor's appointee to

the Vermont Council on the Arts.

 

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He cherished his friendships and family, sought and demanded

excellence, gave generously to those in need, and etched his unique

character into the memories of all he met. With steely pragmatism,

intellectual depth, and compassionate expression, he guided his life

with vigor.

 

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He is survived by a sister, Betty Picker Lauer, of Palm Beach

Gardens, Fla.; nephews Fred Simonds of Morristown, N.J., Dr. James

Simonds of Santa Rosa, Calif., and Andrew Simonds of Boca Raton,

Fla.; and his loving companion, Toby Young of Westminster. He also

leaves his oldest, closest and most devoted friend, Lillian Farber of

Newfane.

 

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A memorial service will be held at the Dummerston Center Church on

Sunday, April 21, at 2 p.m.

 

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In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Civil

Liberties Union.

*********************************************************************

 

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I never met Fred, but I found his Zone VI book to be a tremendous

help to me with the Zone System and photography in general. Rest in

peace Fred.

 

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John Hannon

[m.gunes]

A Great Loss !

Rest in Peace Fred.

Whenever I use my Zone VI camera, your modified spotmeter, watch your

videos, read newsletters, I will remember you.

Thanks all the teaching and inspiration !

[jorge_gasteazoro4]

Well whatever we think of him, he did affect the photographic lives

of many of us, I have his Zone VI enlarger, bought back when he was

the owner of Zone VI. Although the *^%$*& thing does not stay aligned

from session to session, once it is aligned it is a wonderful piece

fo equipment. The timers etc, are also very useful. Any way, just for

his innovative mind he does deserve a toast with a single malt scotch

and a farewell for a life well lived!

[anthony_guidice1]

I followed Fred Picker and his teaching for about 30 years. What a

strong influence he was on me, starting with the Zone VI Workshop

book, in 1974 - I was 16! His views were a clear beacon in a field

where most writers talked mish-mosh. I remember reading Newsletter

#22 on a hill behind my house in Bernardsville NJ on a chilly October

day, and it brought tears to my eyes. I've held that message close to

my heart since then...

 

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I loved his catalogs and his equipment. Let's not forget what a

brilliant businessman he was - he found a huge need in the

marketplace and filled it very well.

 

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I could write about my years as a photo grad student at RIT and how I

stuck to the Zone VI philosophy through that, falling back on the

wisdom learned from Fred and his books and his philosophy. I remember

telling one of my teachers, "You're a hack - your technique is

terrible and your prints are muddy." I'd felt as though I'd already

had an apprenticeship before I got there... thanks to Fred Picker.

 

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My family and I took a trip to Putney VT in 2000 and I spent a little

bit of a Sunday with Fred. He seemed well and was as gracious and

kind as anyone I'd ever met. It was a very fine experience.

 

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He meant so much to me I can't believe he's gone. I had no idea he

had been ill. When a person is as alive as he was, and a spirit is

that strong, it seems as though they'll never die, doesn't it? It's

very, very sad. I feel worse than when Ansel Adams died...

 

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Whenever I loaded holders, developed sheet film (in a tray!), set up

a tripod, or pulled a dark slide, I have always thought of him. I

certainly will from now on; with a heavier heart too, I imagine...

 

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I would place Angels on Zone VIII.

 

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God speed you and good fishing buddy...

[peter_corbett1]

After 18 years respite from photography I have recently started

looking through a lens. This evening I seached my bookcase

and browsed Mr Pickers dog-eared book Zone VI Workshop, 8th

printing 1979 , this book was my constant as I learned the Zone

system. I still have a couple of letters and my first lens/camers

calibration results from Mr. Picker. As I sat this evening with the

excitment of returning to my old hobby it occured to me that I may

get up-to-date information on Mr. Picker and the Zone VI Studios

- I did. I did not know him other than his work and the inspiration

he gave me but somehow I feel the loss of an old friend.

Peter Corbett - London 8th May 2002

[john_sharp]

Sad loss to the medium.

 

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May he rest in peace.

[kristian_r_stad]

Like one of the above named contributors (Peter Corbett) I have been

away from (large format) photograpy for some years. This spring I have

taken it up again and Fred Picker's words ? though I never met him

(but I have read all of his newsletters and some of his books, not to

mention the Zone VI catalogues) have been ringing in my ears: "Focus

on the far"; "If you're in a hurry, dress slowly"; "If someone told me

Ansel printed wearing fishing boots, I'd try it"; "The Callier effect

is not a theory, it's an effect"; "Don't take my word for it, try it",

and so on. It's so sad to hear that he is gone. Knowing he has passed

away makes me sad and I am going to miss him almost as I would a dear

friend. Thanks to Mr. Ritter for letting us know! Kristian Røstad,

Oslo, Norway.

[scott_davis]

what a sad realization, indeed. to think that fred is no longer walking

*this* sphere is a hard pill to swallow, but a necessary one

nonetheless. i heard of his passing after returning from a trip to

scotland, where i had thought a lot about fred, his images, and his

impact upon me. it was doubly strange that my reading material for the

11 hour flight was a stack of 20 years worth of newsletters. he will be

missed like few others i know.

 

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cheers to you fred!

 

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scott davis

[chris3]

I never met Fred, but I loved those catalogs and the idea that I was

dealing with a small company with a single goal. A company that

seemed to have a heart and a soul, and a lifetime gaurantee that

really was just that.

 

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When I purchased a Zone VI 4x5 I did not realize how many people it

would attract. Once in Yosemite a young boy asked if he could look

through my camera. I did not realize that he was part of a school

field trip and instantly thirty more children had lined up behind him.

I have the same experience almost everytime I set the camera up.

People are drawn to it and ask questions about the camera and

photography in general. It sort of makes the owner of a Zone VI

camera an embassador of photography. That is not a bad legacy!

 

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Fred, you did a good job my friend. I am toasting you with a glass of

a very good Merlot tonight.

 

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How is the light in Heaven?

 

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How is Ansel?

[gary_wagner]

I never met Fred but have always considered him a friend. His

contribution to photography will long be remembered.

[jeff_hulton]

Picker will continue to influence people for many many many

years. He was the genuine article.

I attended 5 workshops, spent some of the most enjoyable

times of my life around the man (and his coterie) and learned

things that affect me every day.

Who wouldn't love a guy that when a neighbors barking dog

raged out of control day after day, records the dog and

broadcasts it thru his stereo back at the neighbor! Then when

confronted by the neighbor to restrain tha damn barking dog

replied, "Me, I have no dog!"

One of my only regrets is that I was outbid in my attempt to buy

ZoneVI when Fred was ready to slow down. It would have been a

fun ride!

To those that couldn't attend his service but wanted to, be

assured that Fred was honored with respect, with honor and a

large dash of required irreverence.

In a world of 8 zones of white to grey, Fred was rainbow.