Greg Pichnej

December 22, 1969 I was hired to photograph John and Yoko at the press conference held in the Chateau Champlain Hotel. Later the same day, I was one of the two photographers to cover a radio interview in a private CN train car at Montreal's Central Station.

A job of a photographer is to capture meaningful images that tell all that is needed to communicate a story to the observer.

In the case of my pictures of Lennon and Ono, a few words will help to set up the story.

Around 1:00 PM on Monday December 22, 1969, I got a call from a photographer who asked if I was available to take photos of John Lennon at a 6 PM. press conference at the Chateau Champlain. There was a snow storm at the time and the roads were shut down preventing my friend of ever having a chance to drive from Dorval to downtown Montreal where my studio in the Place Bonaventure was located and where I happened to be at the time. The end client was a radio station who had hired my friend and also sent a reporter to tape the press conference and later, to interview John and Yoko in their private train car at Montreal's Central Station. I took photos at a press conference attended by dozens of reporters and other photographers then in the train car where the radio station's reporter and just one other photographer from Time/Life magazine by the name of Jerry Deiter.

 

My pictures were shot on 2.5" film with my Hasselblad camera. I mention the camera only to assure you the original photos were of much better quality that what I can show or reproduce now.

 

After the photos taken in the train car, I rushed back to my studio at Place Boneventure, developed and dried the negatives then made contact sheets which I kept. I didn't have time to make prints as well since I had to rush the negs to the client for them to get them in a press release for a newspaper advert.

Hi Joe Watring, Thanks for taking the time to comment and suggest. I agree with you completely. Most if not all of my postings here on PhotoNet would benefit from at least a little corrective tweaking. I am currently away from my home base... out in the field so to speak without my dual large calibrated monitors and comfy chair. The captures that I post have minimal Photo Shop corrections and are intended for viewing for friends and relatives for the most part. If I didn't make them available somewhere they would never get viewed. When I get home, I work the "prize winners" (if only in my mind) and print the 'worked' images for my portfolio. I know, I'm lazy and maybe one should hold off and only show what is one's best efforts. I'll have to re-evaluate my Photo Net presence.

Thanks GC for taking the time to comment. I re-installed this photo to be able to post it to a current contest on PhotoNet.

Are you having any problems with the Photo Net web page since the new design? I'm finding it non-intuitive, complicated and non functional. Of course, the problems I'm experiencing could be all on my part. I have only 18 years in computer experience working with the development of the technology. I have tried to research if other Photo Net members are less than impressed with the "new design" but haven't seen any negative postings the last time that I looked.

Again, I appreciate your inputs as always.

Wow! Spectacular capture. Getting the composition right in dark was well done.

Hello GC, I can't seem to figure out how to comment on your entire collection of posted photographs with the "new" PhotNet portfolio web page. Your entire portfolio of wonderful captures are an inspiration. You don't need me or anyone else to state the obvious but it never hurts to have others confirm the success of all your creative efforts. I chose this shot because, again, I have to learn how to leave a comment on your total postings. Regards, Greg

Thanks GC for taking the time to send your comments. Your own excellent portfolio proves that you are a master in the world of bird photography so it is all the more encouraging. I have taken inspiration from some of your techniques.

Regards, Greg

Thanks for leaving a comment GC, You are correct in pointing out that there should be more space allowed in the direction that the subject is looking or heading to. I thought that I could get away with an " artsy" interpretation but you found me out. As it was, I was "lucky" to even get the Herron in a frame. Wildlife dance to their own tune not to the music of a photographer.

Result of idle hands while homebound recovering from a cold.

Thanks for stopping.

Thanks for stopping.

Thanks for stopping.

I felt that I was being watched...

7/7

Thanks for stopping.

Eye catching, exquisite, surreal!

 

Thanks for stopping.

Thanks for stopping. Captured with my Galaxy 5 phone.

Another perfect capture in your air show series.

 

Hi Michail,

 

Another stunning shot from your excellent air show group.

Thanks for stopping.

Thanks for stopping.

Thanks for stopping.

Thanks for stopping.

Thanks for stopping.

Thanks for stopping.