Interview: May 25, 2007
May 25, 2007
Bestselling author and world-renowned photographer f-stop Fitzgerald has published 12 books of his own photography on subjects ranging from fly fishing to Jerry Garcia, and has collaborated with Stephen King on NIGHTMARES IN THE SKY and Ken Follet on PILLARS OF THE ALMIGHTY. In this interview with Greg Fitzgerald (the son of Bookreporter.com's co-founder Carol Fitzgerald), f-stop recalls the family vacation that inspired THE MIGHTY FALLEN --- co-authored with Larry Bond --- in which he captures over 150 photographs of the country's greatest monuments and war memorials.
He also discusses the stories behind his favorite images, shares memories and anecdotes from the 10-year process of putting this book together, and provides details about current and future projects.
Bookreporter.com: What gave you the idea for writing THE MIGHTY FALLEN?
f-stop Fitzgerald: Ten years ago, my wife and I took our kids to Washington D.C. and I must admit that the Vietnam Wall and the Korean War Memorial made me, then a leftist, choke up. It was very hard to read the names of friends and neighbors on those memorials, visualize the platoon of servicemen and women, and harder still to explain those feelings to my kids. At that point, I knew I would revisit this.
BRC: Many major battle sites like Gettysburg have so many memorials. How did you select those that you featured?
FSF: I shot so many photos in so many places that selection of the finals was a real challenge. I tried to cover individuals as well as events. Ultimately, however, if the photograph did not have some captivating lighting, angle or environment, it was de-selected.
BRC: How long did it take for the entire project?
FSF: Ten years. While visiting locales across the nation, from Chicago to New Orleans and Canada, I would seek out whatever memorials I could find and shoot them. I was also moved by some of the memorial dedication speeches by General Colin Powell. They were poignant, stirring and emotional oration. I contacted him and he was very supportive of my concept, taking the time to write several handwritten letters. Needless to say, I was blown away. Here is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs taking the time to support my idea. That impressed me, and I would vote for Powell in a heartbeat!
When Donna Sanzone and Phil Friedman at Collins saw the opportunity to place this title on their Smithsonian list, I was thrilled. John Silbersack, my agent at Trident Media, suggested bestselling author Larry Bond as a co-author. I love Larry's novels, and he was extremely patient and earnest in the collaborative process. The final crunch of the shooting and editorial development really was squeezed into this past year.
BRC: Much of photography is about lighting a shot perfectly. One of our favorites with that regard in the book is "Clubbed Musket." Are there any photos that have special stories about "getting the shot?"
FSF: This is also one of my favorites. There is an interesting discussion in this regard. I shot in Boston for about three miserable rainy days. Because of the light --- rather the lack thereof --- my shooting day was limited to roughly 11 AM to 3PM. The next weekend I went to Gettysburg, a place I had never visited before. Every American should go! There, the shooting was the opposite end of the spectrum. I could shoot from before sunrise until after sunset. The shot you mention is taken after sunset and my understanding is that it is a critical point in American history: the battle at The Angle. This was the last ditch, desperate attempt by the Union Army to repel the winning Confederacy. If that young boy with a musket had not succeeded at that spot, on that day, our nation would likely be very different. It was the moment that the Union Army succeeded in repelling the Confederates and the turning point of the battle, the war, and our nation's ability to stay united.
BRC: Do you have a favorite photograph?
FSF: Let me say that there are many that move me deeply. However, the one memorial that stands out is the Vietnam memorial in Raleigh, North Carolina. This memorial, located on the Capitol grounds, is on the ground, not on a pedestal, so it is eye level. There are three figures --- two soldiers carrying the third to safety. The wounded man has his legs being dragged and his torso being carried by the others. There is so much realism in this statue, that the patina created by the sculptor for the three individuals is entirely different --- reflecting essentially three different skin tones. This is one that inspires me the most!
BRC: Were there any special moments that occurred during your trips that you can share with our readers?
FSF: Two stand out. There is a small stone monument in a national cemetery for World War II airmen. This is one of three similar monuments created, inspired, funded and installed by a single man --- a veteran. He has personally made these monuments and placed them in three different locations to memorialize his fallen comrades.
The other interesting story is the statue of General George S. Patton in Boston. It is on the Esplanade, a major pedestrian area. When Larry Bond was doing the research to write about the memorial, he could not find it listed or mentioned anywhere. The Boston Parks Department, Massachusetts Tourism, and even the Patton Society could not locate it. Larry said that according to all these folks, the Patton statue was not even in Boston! So, just to be sure that I was accurate, I sent my photo assistant in Boston back to the Esplanade to verify its location. Unfortunately, this happens. Sometimes memorials are just forgotten, moved, or lost to time. One of the points of THE MIGHTY FALLEN is to say to our citizens: Please take the time to view the statues in your town square or nation's capital, and understand why it is there. They frequently reflect the personal nature of heroism and sacrifice.
BRC: What equipment do you use?
FSF: This was my first book using the new digital medium. For 30 years, I had been a silver engineer --- unearthing silver on film and papers to yield an image. But now that digital has achieved many of the qualities of film, I am sold. Thanks to the kind folks at Nikon, I use the D-70, D-100, and now the D-200 cameras. I have always used Nikons, as even now the lenses from my film cameras are compatible with the new technology.
BRC: Will these photos be part of an exhibit anywhere?
FSF: Definitely. Right now, I am developing a print program to find ways to distribute the imagery. Next week, we have a big event at the Navy Memorial in Washington D.C. It will include a PowerPoint presentation, which is the first showing of the material to the public outside of the book. Stay tuned for further exhibitions.
BRC: What are you working on now?
FSF: Lots of fun stuff. I am shooting three great projects with the Orvis Company: AN INTRODUCTION TO BIRDWATCHING with Rockport/CPI; GREAT SPORTING LODGE CUISINE and a Fly Fishing title with Rutledge Hill Press. BAND-F Ltd. is also producing a series on collecting for the Smithsonian imprint of Collins. It is so nice to have left my corporate responsibilities to rediscover and reuse my photographic skills in creating new titles.
