Harry. Benson.

The folks at Livebooks (a very popular photographer portfolio website company) have posted a new entry in their “Photographers In Focus” video series – this one featuring world renowned photography legend, Harry Benson.

If you don’t know who he is, know this: Harry Benson has photographed pretty much every icon of the last 50 years – a long time LIFE magazine staff photographer, he toured with the Beatles in 1964, has photographed the biggest names in world politics and celebrities from all walks of life.

This is a short piece, and definitely worth watching..

Harry Benson – start small, work hard.

I have not yet been fortunate enough to meet Mr. Benson, however I have fond memories of a joke that Rich Clarkson (another legend) told at his Sports Photography Workshop which was in Oklahoma City in 1989, and it goes something like this..

Three nuns were killed in a car wreck.. they arrive at the Pearly Gates and are greeted by St Peter – “You’ve each led exemplary lives, serving God and helping others for which you are to be commended.  As a reward for your good work, and years of resisting temptation, God would like to grant you each one final wish, to return to earth and spend a day however you’d like.”

The first nun, the youngest of the group, thinks for a moment before deciding that she’d like to spend the day with Tom Selleck of the television program Magnum PI” -(it was 1989, ok!)

No sooner did her wish pass her lips, she was on her way..

The second nun, an older woman, liked that idea.  ”I’d like to spend the day with Robert Redford, the most handsome man I’ve ever seen” and POOF she was off.

The third nun, who had spend most of her years in the Photo District of NYC, thought for a long time before telling St Peter “I would like to spend the day with Harry Benson”

St Peter, expecting her to say the name of a more well known person was a bit stunned.  ”Harry Benson?  Who is Harry Benson?”

“I don’t know either,” she replied, “but there are an awful lot of people walking around my neighborhood saying ‘Fuck Harry Benson!”

The point Mr Clarkson was making that day was that Harry Benson was/is known for his incredible, enviable, access to people and their lives.. from the Beatles to Presidents.. he’s shot them as they relax in their homes, or read the paper in bed..  I’m sure many photographers have cursed his career – his ability to get inside and make beautiful, telling pictures of people that are usually not forthcoming.

Access is not to be taken for granted and his tremendous body of work should be admired and respected by anyone, especially those of us who make pictures for a living.

I believe the hatred for him is really based on love and respect and envy.

Here’s to you Mr. Benson!