Al Kaplan has passed away.

[dayton_p._strickland1]

<p>This is really sad news. I followed him on his blog and traded e-mails now and then but never really got to know him like I would have liked to. He was a treasure to his craft and his work will live on. May God give his family and close friends strength at this time. </p>

[Landrum Kelly]

<p>This is a terrible loss. Al was an inspiration to us all.</p>

<p>--Lannie</p>

[navs]

<p>Al, you will greatly missed by all here ,RIP, condolences to family and friends alike., your contributions on photo.net will be cherished and still guide and inspire us.</p>

[stevierose]

<p>This is sad news. I gave one of Al's prints of a very young Bob Dylan (with chubby cheeks!) and Joan Baez playing together to my Dylan loving older sister, and it occupies a place of honor on her wall. I don't know if many of you folks remember, but their was a T shirt with Al's curmudgeonly photo (cigarette hanging out of mouth) on the front sold via this site a number of years ago. Every time I have ever worn it people have given me the strangest looks and asked "Who the hell is that guy, and why is he on your T shirt??". Tonight I will put it on and drink a toast to old Al. </p>

[bob_lazzarini]

<p>I am very saddened to hear of Al’s passing.<br>

He will be missed by many folk, and by myself.<br>

I had always enjoyed his postings including those pictures of himself.<br>

My sincere condolences to his family.</p>

[jtk]

<p>A very good man. He picked worthwhile fights, made real connections, had fun. I loved the way he related to people around him and the sweet way they obviously responded... </p>

[35mmdelux]

<p>Al,<br />God's speed my friend. You will be missed.<br>

Paul<br />PS: This Chivas is for you buddy -</p>

[Karim Ghantous]

<p>I agree, Al is the guy who brings people in. He had knowledge and experience, much more than most of us combined. And he knew how to share it. PN was made poorer after he left and now the world is poorer at his passing. I regret that I'll never get a chance to meet him.</p>

[vic_.]

<p>My sincere condolences. A life well lived.</p>

[knut_schwinzer]

<p>My due reference.<br>

Thanks Al for keeping it up with humor and knowledge.<br>

Guapo!</p>

[shambrick007]

<p>So long Al....<br>

<img src="http://static.photo.net/attachments/bboard/008/008N1y-18149684.jpg" alt="" /><br>

2004</p>

[ray .]

It just dawned on me from Bob Michaels' photo that Al had a slight resemblance to Abe Lincoln. :)

Sorry to hear the news... RIP, Al.

[kim yee]

<p>RIP, Al</p>

[jeri leibovits]

<p> </p>

<p > </p>

<strong>My condolence to the Kaplan family, my thoughts are with you.</strong>

 

[frederick_muller]

<p>A particularly memorable contributor to this forum. Unfailingly helpful and willing to share his experience. I enjoyed his contributions and correspondence. Al's passing is a sad loss for all.</p>

[gabrielma]

<p>I am so very sorry to hear about this; just found out.</p>

<p>RIP, Al. We'll miss you.</p>

[Uhooru]

<p>Sorry to hear it. Condolences. </p>

[richard jepsen]

<p>Al and I exchanged a few e-mails over the years. The quality of his posts indicate he had more practical knowledge of all things Leica than almost anyone on the net. He was the polar opposite of photographers who own a Leica for reasons other than photographic,. A character who could be defensive but having a big heart and willing to share knowledge. He will be missed but his posts live on. Now how do you file a Rokkor 40 to bring up the 35mm frame (smile). </p>

[leica ron]

<p>Sad news indeed ... RIP Al</p>

[john_r._fulton_jr.]

<p>It's been almost five years since I had lunch with Al at Jimmy's Restaurant. It was January 30, 2004. We had a great lunch and talked Leicas and everything else we could think of. Al was a one-of-a-kind guy. The mold's broken. You are missed.</p>

[love4leica]

<p>Great guy - he will be missed by ALL.</p>

[david j.lee]

<p>i once told Al that he looked like Keith Richards older brother in that t-shirt i bought with his picture on it. great guy from the great and always politically incorrect days of the old leica forum. hope they have film wherever he is.</p>

[gib]

<p>I was a fan of his on pnet and of his photo blog, I own one of his t shirts, I will wear it often in the summer to honour his memory. he was kind to me when I first posted on this forum. A very fine photographer indeed.</p>

[ken_kartes]

<p>Rest in peace Al, thanks for all the film advice!</p>

[raymond_tai]

<p>Al was a good guy and will be missed.</p>