Roy DeCarava 1919-2009

Roy DeCarava 1919-2009

Roy passed to another place October 2009. He was my friend, my mentor, my teacher and a beacon of strength, courage, artistic integrity and one the greatest artist of all times. His exquisite subtlety of tones has never been duplicated. Like his saxophone playing his images are in the lower register. He played these low notes so marvelously that you did not think there could be that many shades of grey, white and black. He was a master print maker. Knowing him and working with him made me a better man and photographer. The world will miss you Roy. Even though my wife and I have lost special friend we can still see Roy’s beacon of love, strength and integrity guiding me and showing us the way.

One of the important things Roy taught me was the importance of the artist’s vision. He said, before picking up your camera you must know what vision you want to create. Once you have mastered the vision the photographic object becomes almost immaterial. Because it is transformed into your vision.

I have noticed that in almost all the obituaries published, including the New York Times, that not mention Roy DeCarava’s wife Sherry Turner DeCarava. Sherry was the glue and comfort that kept Roy on track and focus. An accomplished Art Historian and writer she wrote many of the articles and book forwards that celebrated or chronicled Roy’s life and work. She, in all the right ways, was lovely and profoundly protected of Roy.