Even if you don't know Scottish photographer Harry Benson by name, you likely will recognize some (perhaps many) of his famous photographs. His career was launched in 1964 when he was asked to accompany The Beatles on their first trip to America because he wasn't the "ugly" photographer.
Benson made history as a "Master of the Iconic Photograph." He has an eye for what works and the creative talent, style, and determination to follow through and get those pictures. He was aware he was recording history and his commitment was to put himself aside to get the shot.
He photograped all the U. S. Presidents since Eisenhower, the Queen of England. Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, Jr., Bobby Kennedy the night he was assassinated, Elizabeth Taylor before and after brain surgery, the very shy Bobby Fischer, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jackson at Neverland, Greta Garbo swimming, and so many more.
Benson's career included covering rock and rollers, glitzy celebrities, reclusive persons of renown, historic political moments - including the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers - and a shocking exposé he did as a photo journalist on the front lines in Somalia, an assignment he remarked this about, "I want to work for Life (Magazine), I don't want to die for it." His photos showed the world the truth of what was going on there.
Harry explains it's his job to capture the moment, joyful or trecherous. Some of his shots / sessions were controversial and call into question the blurred ethical lines of photojournalism. Right after Robert Kennedy was assasinated, Harry took a shot of RFK's wife Ethel in her anguish; her hand up to hide her face. Benson was knocked down by a Kennedy aide and he hid his film in his sock. He also did a controversial shoot featuring bizarrely provocative photos of Mark David Chapman, John Lennon's murderer. Chapman pulled Benson aside and said, "I'm sorry I killed your friend."
I appreciate and value so many of his photos, and cringe at others. They all have a story to tell. I recommend this documentary because of the exquisite photos and the history they share.
