Chuck McGowen, Newspaper Photographer

Chuck McGowen, Newspaper Photographer:

Telling the Human Story with
Pictures and Words

*****

Regardless of Age, The Passion Never Dies!

Preface

Recently Steve Whitney, a friend from my local camera club, sent me an e-mail: “I wanted to see if you might have some interest in doing a photo essay with this idea. The father of a friend is in his late 80's and was a former photographer for a Delaware newspaper… Lots of amazing stories. He is an interesting guy to talk to. I'm sure there might be quite a few Stories-Within-The-Story.”

Because my interest is in topics of social justice, my first inclination was that a story about a small city newspaper photographer would not be of interest. But Steve connected to my weakness: the Story-Within-The-Story! So I needed to check it out and I’m glad I did. As usual, the Story-Within-The-Story was not even close to what I anticipated.

Introduction

My initial conversation was with Barbara Miriello, daughter of retired newspaper photographer Chuck McGowen. As part of my introduction to her dad, she sent me a copy of his self-published book: “When It Was Fun.”

It was immediately clear from this wonderful book that Chuck had been much more than a newspaper photographer- he was a story teller. He told the human story with pictures and words. When I discovered that Chuck had been inspired by W. Eugene Smith, the father of the photo essay and my inspiration, I was hooked!

Chuck McGowen was very open to having me visit his home for an interview. In preparation I poured through every page of his book to get an understanding of him and his work. His beautiful images and words tell the stories of the people he photographed- his book is a collection of photo essays!

While Chuck was certainly an objective reporter: “Just the facts ma’am,” for some reason I had the feeling that the book also tells his story in some way. Perhaps this is because all of my photo essays are filtered through my experiences. When I interviewed Chuck, I had to ask him if he was part of the story.

What is very clear is that he was at least physically part of his stories. He would go just about anywhere and do some of the craziest things to get the picture and the story! That’s a trait of the best photojournalists.

I couldn’t wait to meet him, but I was surely a bit intimidated!

The Interview

I met with Chuck and his wife Judy at their home in Delaware. Chuck, now 89, walks with a cane, but otherwise presents with a strong voice and clear memories of a career that ended almost a quarter century ago. He seemed to enjoy revisiting a part of his life that still means so much. I could just imagine a camera gripped by those large expressive hands.

“That was a dream of mine and I didn’t achieve it until I became Chief Photographer and then I could go wherever I wanted and do just about anything!”

Chuck’s 35 year career was with the News Journal, the main newspaper for Wilmington, Delaware, and the surrounding area. He rose to the level of Chief Photographer and Special Projects Photographer which afforded him almost unlimited breadth in the stories he could cover.

When I read your book I was surprised to see how broad your reach was beyond the confines of Wilmington and Dover: “That was a dream of mine and I didn’t achieve it until I became Chief Photographer and then I could go wherever I wanted and do just about anything!”

As his book makes clear, he made the most of this well earned opportunity. Flipping through the pages reveals an extraordinary range of images that I can’t do justice to in this photo essay. I was particularly moved by his images of luminaries including Muhammad Ali, Jamie Wyeth, Andy Warhol, James Michener and many more. Chuck’s genius as a photojournalist was that he was able to charm his way into people’s lives to tell their stories. From my own work, I know how difficult it is to make that happen.

In reading your book it felt like you were part of the story- that what you covered filtered through your personal humanity: “I could agree with that to some degree because I grew up poor and I could always identify with poverty and I wanted to focus on that; I just wanted to talk to those people and I was surprised that they would let me into their houses and not feel that it was an invasion- they were so accommodating and made us feel so comfortable… “Silent Poor” was one of the best stories I ever did with a very talented lady that I worked with out of the bureau, and I thought we did a hell of a job!”

Excerpt from “Silent Poor” by Chuck McGowen: “The same questions were there for me each time as I waited for permission to begin these sessions. Would these photographs and stories help these folks escape their plight? Would people really care? And was the invasion of their privacy too big a price to pay for any help the stories might bring?”

Images from this series contributed to a second place in the National Press Photographers’ Newspaper Photographer of the Year and inclusion in a display at National Geographic in Washington D.C.

Image Courtesy Chuck McGowen

“Silent Poor” is a perfect example of Chuck’s concern about people’s lives and of his desire to tell the story in a way that might help the human condition. His words ring so true to me. Every time I publish a photo essay about poverty, homelessness, racism, or any topic of social justice, I wonder if anyone will care. But I conclude that if the story brings just one person to some sort of positive action, it is totally worth it. I appreciate this reinforcement from a master.

Growing up in Alabama, were you exposed to racism: “I always considered it a miracle that I escaped that and I have to give my father a lot of credit because he said he never had anything against a person of color; he worked next to people of color in the coal mines- when you’re working and sweating next to someone, you don’t develop animosity for anyone… On the school bus as a kid these guys would be yelling out of the window at the black kids with their slurs, and I took no part in it- why do something like that- I was thankful that I never went that way.”

“I had a little Brownie box camera in my early teens but had no idea about becoming a professional photographer.”

How did you end up a photographer and not a coal miner: “My father never said don’t go into the mines but he never encouraged me either- it’s a very tough life… When he came home from the mine he would wash the coal dust off and go out to do some farming… I felt sorry for him, farming was the best part of his life- that was his joy.”

How did you migrate from that life to become a newspaper photographer: “I don’t know what caused my intense interest in photography, but I had a little Brownie box camera in my early teens but had no idea about becoming a professional photographer… I carried that camera everywhere I went; I was even doing some picture stories staged with my brothers and cousins- (laughing) I probably have those pictures somewhere in the house.”

“Oh my God when that first picture came out it was like a miracle- I can really do this!!”

Did you develop your film: “I didn’t do developing in the beginning- I would send the rolls off by mail and the wait always seemed like an eternity… Then I read in the paper that you could get a kit from Sears for developing… Oh my God when that first picture came out it was like a miracle- I can really do this!!”… He was reliving the joy felt more than 70 years ago as if it were yesterday- his career was born in a 5x7 inch tray of chemicals.

“I had a hell of a time getting into the business.”

“And then a real miracle happened- my sister married a professional Birmingham News photographer; he had a Graflex Speed Graphic which was the foremost press camera at the time, so rather than going to 35mm, I had to have a Speed Graphic which I got from Sears.”

How did you go from these early thrills to become a newspaper photographer: “The springboard was going to my first professional baseball game- the Birmingham Barons; sitting in the stands I saw one of the newspaper photographers covering the game- something happened in the stands and he turned with his camera and took a flash picture, and I said: ‘That’s pretty quick, maybe I could do that!’… That was kind of an inspiration moment.”

So did you show up at a newspaper one day and say: “I want to be a photographer:” “Oh God no, I had a hell of a time getting into the business; I had jobs selling in a photography store just to be at the periphery of the business… I got a break when I took pictures at a spectacular car wreck- one car was on top of the other; I submitted pictures to the Birmingham News- you can imagine my delight when I got one of those images published!”

His father was a hero in helping to define Chuck’s life path as a photographer who cared about people.

Did you get encouragement from your parents: “I didn’t think my dad would pay too much attention to my interest in photography, but to my surprise he said there was an old fella he knew who wore the same shoes for 38 years and he might make a good picture story; so we went to see the old guy and he got those shoes out to show me- this became my first photo story: ‘I’ve wore them shoes 38 years.’”

Image Courtesy Chuck McGowen

So your father was actually promoting your photography career: “Yes, he surprised me… I admired this man, my father Moses Dudley McGowen, who made his living in the coal mine.”… His father was a hero in helping to define Chuck’s life path as a photographer who cared about people.

“I had untouched territory downstate- nobody worked it so oh-man, I’m in business!”

Once you got your dream job how did you use that freedom to cover whatever stories you wanted: “I created my own ideas and I got some incredible stuff, not because of my ability, but because the area was untouched by the other photographers- I knew I could really do the job… At that time I could do picture stories and get a full page any time I wanted- it just meant getting out there and doing it, and the other photographers weren’t trying; I had untouched territory downstate- nobody worked it so oh-man, I’m in business!… I always wanted to do stories about migrant workers and I always took the opportunity.”… He looked ready to jump off the couch, grab a camera and head out to do a story, and that gave me an idea- read on!

Excerpt from “Migrant Harvest” by Chuck McGowen: “One of the many pleasures of working in Southern Delaware was the opportunity to photograph people at work on the farms. It seems there was always something going on - plowing, planting, irrigating, and harvest… My first harvest essay was done on tomato pickers in a field off of US 13 near Dover. It got good play in the paper, and I forgot about it until someone told me it had won first place in the Keystone Competition.”

Image Courtesy Chuck McGowen

“Oh God don’t let me screw this up!”

In your book you speak about Eugene Smith and his photo essays “Country Doctor” and “Nurse Midwife:” “Gene Smith was a major inspiration- I really wanted to do stories like he had done and it happened when we went to do a story on Smith Island on the Chesapeake Bay that was ice bound- I met the only medical person on the island and I remember thinking: Oh God don’t let me screw this up!”… He was getting excited all over again!... “I went back on a couple of occasions so I could capture more- I got great pictures!”

Excerpt from “Smith Island Nurse” by Chuck McGowen: “As a young photographer I admired the work of W. Eugene Smith, especially his essays on a country doctor and a midwife. Smith was a pioneer of such work probably before the title of photojournalist was coined. Life Magazine gave his work prominent and lengthy display, much to the delight of this reader. It was like a text book on shooting the photo essay… I hoped that someday in my work I would come across a subject that would offer that kind of potential. I felt that the opportunity had finally arrived when I ran across Schim Becker… She had been at the island for seven years after giving up a good paying head nurse’s job in a Baltimore hospital… For a pay of ninety dollars a week and a free rent home, the hours were 24 a day, seven days a week… Smith Island residents are usually not tolerant of photographers- I found no such resistance as I accompanied their beloved nurse on her rounds… A University of Delaware journalism professor gave my work some validation calling it the best piece of photojournalism he had ever seen in the News Journal.”

Image Courtesy Chuck McGowen

As we talked about his work, Chuck picked up “When It Was Fun” and began reading with a curiosity as if he hadn’t seen it before.

There’s no doubt he was pleased. Chuck would later say that this project caused him to take a fresh look at his work: “These images are pretty good!”

“I wanted to win the Pulitzer which I never did- I was nominated several times but never got it.”

The wall leading to the second floor of his home is covered with well deserved awards: “I was competitive, no doubt about that!” ... As proud as he is of his career, what he sees on this wall are the two awards that aren’t there: National Newspaper Photographer of the Year by The National Press Photographers Association and the Pulitzer Prize. He had nominations and seconds, but not the top prizes.

You weren’t doing this work as just a job: “Oh no- I wanted to be one of the great ones- I want to be the best- I wanted to be the VERY best!”... And that’s OK, right: “Oh God YES- you gotta have ambition- I wanted to win the Pulitzer which I never did- I was nominated several times but never got it.”

Even a quarter century after retiring, Chuck still has the passion to be the very best- that will never leave him.

Chuck’s photography was not limited to documentation, he was also interested in the art of photography.

Excerpt from “Photographing the Wind” by Chuck McGowen: “The incubation for this picture started when the Sussex Bureau Chief called and said there was a dust storm in Milford that was almost obscuring the sun. On the drive down I thought about the effect I wanted to get in my photo… I had long been captivated by the haunting Dust Bowl image of an old man and boy leaning into the wind as they struggled toward shelter… I started walking toward an old barn that was in the middle of a field covered with sage grass. After several false starts I found the perfect combination: Grass bending in front of the barn and sun barely peeking though the storm.” ... This stirring image won first place in a National Press Photographers’ contest.

Image Courtesy Chuck McGowen

Another Rodeo

“I didn’t sleep as well last night because of the excitement of going out to do a photo shoot!”

Listening to Chuck discuss his career, I began to think about the imprisonment of advancing age- a mind raring to go and a body that cannot. A quarter of a century out of the saddle as a professional photographer, he would readily mount up with a camera on his shoulder and ride out into the world to get that perfect shot before anyone else.

I’m not as old as Chuck, but I can see the same fate not so many years in the future and I don’t like that picture! Then the idea: Take Chuck out for another rodeo- someplace that brings back a memory; put a camera into his hands; listen to his story; take pictures of him taking pictures! ... He loved the idea, and so did I… so we sealed the deal!

I arrived at Chuck’s home on a beautiful late October day for our photo shoot. The first activity was to give him a quick lesson on one of my cameras. It was like entering a new time warp. Technology has advanced so much since he retired. But those large hands remembered the feeling of holding a camera as if it were yesterday.

So how does it make you feel that we are going out today for a photo shoot- what does it feel like to give it another try: (laughing) “I’ll give you a perfect example- I was telling Judy that I didn’t sleep as well last night because of the excitement of going out to do a photo shoot!”

As we walked to my car, it was clear that Chuck’s stride was labored, unsteady and slow. I was very concerned about keeping him safe at any location we would choose for taking pictures. We surely wouldn’t be climbing a water tower as he had once done, but he did find a new water tower to climb!

Excerpt from “Conquering a Tower of Fear” by Chuck McGowen: “A dedicated photographer will go to great lengths to get a good picture… Especially if said photographer is young and bullet proof!”

Image Courtesy Chuck McGowen

Chuck is no longer young and bullet proof, and at 75 neither am I. My water tower climb was to give Chuck a chance to relive his days as a photographer, to photograph his experience, and to bring him home safe!

After a false start trying to find a spot he had photographed 50 years ago, we made our way to New Castle, Delaware, a quaint town about 10 miles south of Wilmington. Chuck has fond memories of eating his lunch on the grass in a park near the Delaware River. He wanted to find the exact spot where he took one of his favorite pictures. Finding that spot would be difficult; finding the painters- just a dream!… Any photographer would be overwhelmed to capture such a moment!

Image Courtesy Chuck McGowen

The main challenge was finding a place to park that would give very close access to something of interest for Chuck to photograph. I found a parking area within ~30 feet of the shore. The scene was beautiful with sailboats moored off the coast and the sandy shore filled with rocks and logs washed up from the river. While this spot wasn’t Chuck’s first choice, I hoped that he would enjoy taking some pictures.

I parked as close to the water as possible and helped Chuck out of the car. I wanted him to stand there while I got a camera from the car for him to use. But when I looked up, there he was with cane in hand, walking down a steep slope on his way to the water’s edge. What if he falls? But it was too late to stop his latest “water tower climb!” At 89 he still has the same “do whatever it takes to get the shot” photographer’s DNA he had 50 years ago! He made the trek without incident and plopped down on a comfy log.

I moved quickly to see if he was OK. And there he was taking in the scenery, none the worse for wear.

“You OK Chuck?”... The look on his face said it all- he had regained a sense of freedom… This was a good day!

I put a camera into those hands that immediately knew what to do- take pictures!!

Something colorful broke through his career in black and white.

He nailed the shot!

Then he challenged me to a photography smack-down: “Take that!”

I couldn’t resist: “Take that!”… Two old photographers were laughing at each other!

Reflecting on the day: “It felt good to hold a camera again but it seemed heavier now… I was embarrassed that everything looked so different from what it did all those years ago- I should have known that things would have changed drastically over so many years.” While he couldn’t relive the past, he seemed to enjoy this new experience.

Final Thoughts

We live in a society that assumes elderly people no longer have passion for doing things and making contributions. If Chuck could, he would be out every day with his camera looking for stories to tell: “I miss it, I really do- I would love to be out there doing it again, but I know I can’t.” But with some assistance, maybe he can.

Years ago as a young man, Chuck learned the value of reaching out to an elderly person. For a spring edition of the paper he decided to photograph gardeners at work. He spotted an 85-90 year old man who was more than happy to show off his garden… Excerpt from “You’ve Made an Old Man Very Happy” by Chuck McGowen: “A few weeks after the pictures (of the gardener) ran in the Evening Journal, I got a call from the old man’s daughter. She wondered if I would send them the picture that appeared in the paper… A few days after I mailed the picture I got another call from the daughter. She said simply, ‘You’ve made an old man very happy.’”

Image Courtesy Chuck McGowen

He may not have realized it at the time, but Chuck was valuing the passion of an elderly person. Many years later it was time for someone to value Chuck’s passion- that privilege was mine.

“I didn’t sleep as well last night because of the excitement of going out to do a photo shoot!”

How much is lost from a society based on the assumption that elderly people have lost interest and would simply prefer to sit idle? How many elderly people sit idle wishing they could contribute? This story has taught me that social justice applies no less to elderly people than it does to any group that is marginalized.

The passions of elderly people can lead to amazing contributions. In 2021, Joe Biden at 78 is the oldest serving President of the United States. Singer Tony Bennett at 95, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, recently released a new album with Lady Gaga. And of course there is William Shatner, aka James Tiberius Kirk, who at 90 became the oldest astronaut- he spoke about the earth’s fragile atmosphere with a wisdom that comes from age and the many galaxies he has traveled.

I consider my photo essays to be successful when something positive happens. In this case, at 89 years old, Chuck McGowen's passion for photojournalism has been reawakened: This project “… has caused me to review my book and decide that I was a better writer than I thought I was! At least I knew I was much better at photography and decided to pursue that more than writing!”

Chuck’s mobility is limited, but there are still ways for him to express his passion. I can imagine Chuck mentoring young photojournalists. “When It Was Fun” would be the textbook along with the photo essays of W. Eugene Smith. I can’t think of a better curriculum to teach the art of story telling... I, and I’m assuming Chuck, would have loved to be mentored by Eugene Smith! My time with Chuck has undoubtably had impact on my work.

Of course everyone is different, but for elderly people who want to contribute, it would be wonderful to find ways to make it happen. So, “pay it backward” to an elderly person in your life, and maybe someday someone will “pay it backward” to you!

In 2016 I did a photo essay titled: “The Enduring Passion for Flamenco”… What I learned then has only been reinforced by this retired newspaper photographer: “Regardless of Age, The Passion Never Dies!”

And that’s the Story-Within-The-Story… the hidden gem!

*****

One More Thing

"Judy by the Dozens"

I couldn’t chronicle Chuck McGowen’s career without showing his amazing image: “Judy by the Dozens.” More than a tour de force of creativity and skill, and more than its wide distribution by the Associated Press and Washington Post, it’s a metaphor for the role of another hero in Chuck’s life- his wife Judy. It represents the dozens upon dozens of ways she supported his career and cared for three daughters who adore their parents: “My father could not have had the career he had without this invisible force behind the scenes- my mother, his partner everyday for 66 years!” (Barbara Miriello)

Who says there can only be one Story-Within-The Story!!

Image Courtesy Chuck McGowen

End

Published November 8, 2021