U.S.
Women's Olympic Swimmer, Los Angeles, 1964.
The epitomy of beauty, efficiency and grace under water.
All photos © Bob Gomel
MEMBER PROFILE: BOB GOMEL
Mr.
Fields was my grade school science teacher. His classroom was decorated
with beautiful sepia-toned examples of his photography. The image closest
to me was a back-lit nightview of a manhole cover on a cobblestone street.
It was irresistible. I joined his photography club. I was hooked. WWII
ended and I delivered groceries to pay for the first post war camera:
a Ciroflex. In no time I took over a closet/cum darkroom in our apartment
and began a great adventure which was to last the rest of my life. The
French have a expression “joie de vivre”. For me that includes
the thrill of making a compelling photograph. That has not diminished
over time. I suspect it never will.
The Beatles, Miami, 1964. The Liverpool lads when
they undertook their first triumphant tour of the Colonies.
U.S. Olympic Bobsled team. Mt. VonHovenburg, Lake Placid, 1968. Seated
in front of the brakeman, I squeezed a phneumatic release to fire my
Nikon while bouncing over jagged ice at 105mph. We made three runs:
for 1/125, 1/60, & 1/30 of a second.
Bobby Kennedy, New Jersey, 1968.
On the campaign trail, about a month before the fatal shot. In retrospect,
the somber dark tones of this image presage what was to happen.
Ike's funeral, Life cover, 1969. Suspended remote camera near dome of
Capitol Rotunda, 15,000 watts strobe, 750' zipcord to footswitch on
press stand.
T-28 and Carrier Essex, Gulf of Mexico, 1999. Deja vu: I did my instrument
qualifications in this aircraft in 1956, and here I am, in the back
seat with remote control in hand.
Shot-Put, Houston, 1997. Having failed to get this athlete's model release,
I resorted to photoshop as a way to avoid identification.
Cockatoo, Houston, 1998. To promote my middle son's dental practice.
Seven Acres, Houston, 2000. Near the end.
This gentleman passed away soon after my visit.
Day Care Center, Houston, 2000. To symbolize all the kids at day care
centers for a fund raising campaign. Used Nikon de-focus control lense.
Family, Houston, 2000. Oldest son and family. Playing with Nikonos.
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 2001. The passage way between the two
buildings with its ever-changing light patterns.
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