I recently completed an editorial assignment for CJE SeniorLife (formerly Council for Jewish Elderly) to photograph photographer Art Shay. Art has been observing life through his camera for over half a century, working for magazines such as Life, Fortune and The New York Times. He is perhaps best known for his friendship and collaboration with Nelson Algren. His book "Nelson Algren’s Chicago" is a collection of photographs and recollections of their time roaming the Near West Side of Chicago in the early 1950s.
Photographing Art was an easy assignment. He is well aware of the challenges an editorial assignment presents and modestly suggested poses, angles and lighting opportunities, all of which I humbly acknowledged as I continued to photograph him through my own eyes.
Art, I hope you are happy with your portrait.
–BB
