Portraits of America

I find it sad that National Geographic photographers are sometimes left out when people talk about the 20th Century great photographers. If you have ever read a National Geographic in bed when you were a kid, you will remember seeing almost ALL of these images. This guy really IS the "National Geographic Look" if there is one. Amazing stuff. Shame then, that the reproductions are not the best I have seen of these images. Some have weird color casts most likely due to the cheaper printing process. Still, more than worth the money!

Bill Allard's vision of America is that of intimacy and affection, it is evident that Bill has connected himself with his subjects, showing the warmth and joys as well as the pain and sorrow of his subject, Bill's strength is his ability to earn the trust of his subject from The Amish to baseball players.His work with the Blues musicians are a powerful testiment to Bill's ideals of being near his subject, treating them as both godlike and human at the same time. I am priviledge to have attended a slide show of Bill's work on the Blues musician in Havana one fine winter's evening, not so long ago, and those images blew me away. A magnificent work by a master photographer, well done Bill!!

Though there have been many great photographers that have come through National Geographic, William Allard has likely influenced more photographers in the last 40 years of his career than any of his compatriots. His command of color, light and composition is extraordinary. His ability to shoot under difficult light condition and still produce a beautiful and stunning image is envied and respected. Though his unyielding committment to his work led him to an on again off again relationship with NG, the images that he has produced are a testament to his passion and vision. The book is a wonderful glimpse of the man and his work.