This is pretty much a must read over on the NYT'S photography blog "Lens". The piece gives the complete story behind the Tank Man picture (you know it is an icon if it only takes two or three words to describe).
Amazingly enough, this image was made be four different photographers, Charlie Cole, Stuart Franklin, Jeff Widener, and Arthur Tsang Hin Wah. Each photographer's version has a slightly different strength and feel, but they're all pretty great.
Charlie, being the gentleman that he is, was kind enough to give a shout-out to a few other photographers that did some good work during the student demonstrations, including me. Which is very cool.
Occasionally, I'm asked where I was when this image was made. Technically, and as far as my agency and the magazines I was working for knew, I was in Beijing, but in reality I was in New York City. Here's the deal...
About a week before, I called from Beijing, and asked the most wonderful woman I'd ever seen to go out to dinner with me in New York on the night of June 4. To my surprise she said yes (to be honest, up until then I thought err, I knew she didn't like me so much). So I checked out of the hotel where the Tank Man image was made, and flew back to the States for our date.
Yeah, I forgot to tell anyone that I was doing this.
So, to make a long story short, I missed out on a chance to make a great image, pissed off quite a few editors, blew a lot of money, and ended up with the woman of my dreams.
Not a bad choice at all.
fantastic story. but i do love your image of the students sitting in front of the soldiers outside the great hall of the people (that's where it is, right?)
Posted by: Kenneth Dickerman | June 03, 2009 at 01:53 PM
...and to finish slaying the evil overlord on Sega's Crystal Palace game.
Posted by: David Bentz | June 04, 2009 at 07:38 AM
Ken,
That is the entrance to the complex where all of the high ranking government officials live. It is just west of the Forbidden City, kind of across the avenue from the Great Hall of the People.
Thanks,
Ken
Posted by: Kenneth Jarecke | June 13, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Wow, I did not know that story. Yeah, I'd say you lucked out.
D
Posted by: David Butow | June 16, 2009 at 05:00 PM
i love this post, what a great story.
Posted by: brooke moore | June 24, 2009 at 02:58 PM