Today the photographic community learns of the passing of a legend, Monte Zucker. Monte was one of a handful of photographers whose work defined portraiture and lighting in the 20th century. His influence reverberates today through the literally thousands of students with whom he shared his gifts over the course of his 50+ year career. Many of today’s most celebrated photographers credit Monte for helping them ’see the light’, literally and figuratively. We are diminished by his loss, yet have been enriched to such a greater degree by his presence that it seems most fitting to celebrate his life rather than mourn his passing.

“I don’t photograph the world as it is. I photograph the world as I would like it to be.”

Among Monte’s exhaustive list of achievements and awards, there are a conspicuous pair that stand out in demonstrating just how important and far-reaching his influence has been. In 2002, Monte was recognized as Photographer of the Year by the United Nations.

Again in 2006, Monte was entered into the Congressional Record by Senator Ted Kennedy, ensuring a permanent historical legacy for this master photographer and educator.

It is particularly revealing of Monte’s character that the man who was largely responsible for getting this congressional entry into the record was at one time considered by many to be the most directly counter to Monte’s approach and philosophy – the ‘Godfather of wedding photojournalism’, Denis Reggie. In the 1980’s, Denis Reggie received a great deal of derision and flack from the photographic community for rejecting studio lighting and classical poses that is the hallmark of Monte’s style in favor of a more hands-off, documentary approach to wedding photography. Rising to Denis’ defense was none other than Monte Zucker himself, suggesting that while it may not be to everyone’s taste, what Denis was saying was important and people ought to listen. Is there any greater tribute than to be lauded by one’s philosophical rival, even if that rivalry was very much a friendly one?

I never did have the pleasure of attending one of Monte Zucker’s workshops, but I did have a brief encounter a few years ago at the first WPPI that I attended. Monte was in the Canon booth giving live lighting demos and the speed and assuredness with which he transitioned from setup to setup was quite simply breathtaking. I learned more in that 20 minutes about portrait lighting than I ever have before or since. Monte exuded energy, enthusiasm, humility and wit. He was, in short, a force of nature. We will miss you, Monte. Save some light for the rest of us.

There will be a memorial service for Monte in Washington DC on Sunday, April 22nd from 1-4 PM. Details are still tentative; those wishing to attend should follow the thread on the Monte Zucker forum for further information.

 

I lieu of flowers, Monte has requested that donations be directed to his Institute for Photographic Inspiration.

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Other Tributes to Monte
Grazier Photography
The Monte Zucker Forum
Obituary from Adorama Site

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BIOGRAPHY (taken from Monte’s website)

Who is Monte?

Few people know who Monte Zucker is today. He keeps reinventing himself. Photographs that he continually creates …some within just the past few weeks … carry his unmistakable signature only if you know his signature style.

Monte’s images are simple, direct, and emotional. Each of them makes a simple statement. There is nothing in his photographs, except what should be there. All distractions were removed before he snapped the shutter. What you see is what he wants you to see. It’s usually a face or a collection of faces. When It’s a photograph of an individual, you will immediately know that person. When It’s a photograph of a group you’ll feel and experience their involvement with each other.

Based on classical tradition, Monte’s portraiture has never strayed far from his original intent – to capture a moment in people’s lives and memorialize it for posterity, In his own words, “I don’t photograph the world as it is. I photograph the world as I would like it to be.”

To accomplish this goal, Monte seems to always capture the moment with little or no direction. Although he basically controls all of his subjects when they’re being photographed, they appear to be completely natural.

Monte Zucker
He’s always at the right place at the right time to do that. It’s because of his steadfast determination to photograph people at their best angles and in their best light that he’s able to continually come up with photographs that the subjects feel are the best picture that they’ve ever had taken of themselves. Of course, the fact that he’s spent over 50 years as a professional photographer/teacher studying and perfecting his photographic technique may have something to do with his success.

Monte has achieved just about every photographic degree that exists. The United Nations recently honored him as Portrait Photographer of the Year 2002. He feels that his most special honor, however, is the fact that his popularity with photographers of all ages is continually growing.

This entry was posted on Friday, March 16th, 2007 at 6:41 am and is filed under Stuff for Photographers, Your Moment of Zen. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.