Harry Benson: Shoot First

Even if you don't know Scottish photographer Harry Benson by name, you likely will recognize some (perhaps many) of his famous photographs. His career was launched in 1964 when he was asked to accompany The Beatles on their first trip to America because he wasn't the "ugly" photographer.

Benson made history as a "Master of the Iconic Photograph." He has an eye for what works and the creative talent, style, and determination to follow through and get those pictures. He was aware he was recording history and his commitment was to put himself aside to get the shot.

He photograped all the U. S. Presidents since Eisenhower, the Queen of England. Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, Jr., Bobby Kennedy the night he was assassinated, Elizabeth Taylor before and after brain surgery, the very shy Bobby Fischer, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jackson at Neverland, Greta Garbo swimming, and so many more.

Benson's career included covering rock and rollers, glitzy celebrities, reclusive persons of renown, historic political moments - including the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers - and a shocking exposé he did as a photo journalist on the front lines in Somalia, an assignment he remarked this about, "I want to work for Life (Magazine), I don't want to die for it." His photos showed the world the truth of what was going on there.

Harry explains it's his job to capture the moment, joyful or trecherous. Some of his shots / sessions were controversial and call into question the blurred ethical lines of photojournalism. Right after Robert Kennedy was assasinated, Harry took a shot of RFK's wife Ethel in her anguish; her hand up to hide her face. Benson was knocked down by a Kennedy aide and he hid his film in his sock. He also did a controversial shoot featuring bizarrely provocative photos of Mark David Chapman, John Lennon's murderer. Chapman pulled Benson aside and said, "I'm sorry I killed your friend."

I appreciate and value so many of his photos, and cringe at others. They all have a story to tell. I recommend this documentary because of the exquisite photos and the history they share.

USA Film Festival 2016 Greetings again from the darkness. There are many talented photographers, but not many that are well known. Quite a few photographers have shot famous folks, but few are famous themselves. These days we tend to think of photography as the barrage of celebrity privacy invasion shots courtesy of the paparazzi cameras. Co-writers/co-directors Justin Bare and Matthew Miele remind us … with this sturdy portrait of Harry Benson … that true photography is an admirable and respected art form.

Mr. Benson is now 86 years old and retains his heavy Scottish accent and ambitious work ethic. An illustrious career was kick-started in 1964 when he was assigned to cover The Beatles' inaugural trip to the United States. His behind-the-scenes work included the infamous shot of the four lads blowing off a bit of stress with a hotel pillow fight in their hotel.

The film acts as a retrospective of Mr. Benson's work, and it's wonderful to hear him tell his own stories. Not many can claim to have been right in the middle of five decades of history, entertainment, politics and cultural events. This is a man whose work had him standing next to Bobby Kennedy in 1968 on the night he was assassinated. Elizabeth Taylor so trusted him, that she allowed him to photograph her just after her brain surgery. World class recluse and chess champion Bobby Fischer posed for Benson, as did Muhammad Ali, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, Jr and Michael Jackson … to name just a few. It's also fascinating to see his spontaneous shots of Greta Garbo swimming, and he literally went 50 plus years between photos of The Queen. His work on the front lines of Somalia is breath-taking … this from a man who has photographed the last eleven U.S. Presidents (every one since Eisenhauer).

In addition to Benson's own recollections, the filmmakers also include observations and insight from such a diverse group as Dan Rather, Ralph Lauren, Bryant Gumbel, James L Brooks, Sharon Stone, Betty Buckley and Winston Churchill's granddaughter. We get the impression that Mr. Benson fully comprehends his impact, but it's his commitment to the job … to the shot … that has earned him the trust and reputation for integrity. Not everyone gets this shot