Comments on: Ethan Hill On Photographing Roger Ebert

By: Things Could Be Worse – GLK Creative: Montclair, NJ Event and Wedding Photography by George L. Koroneos

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:53:20 +0000

[...] If you want to read more about Ethan Hill, check out a great look at the making of this photo at A Photo Editor. [...]

By: Miriam Preissel

Miriam Preissel — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:31:07 +0000

It’s a wonderful shot and I love that he is smiling. That his cancer has attacked his appearance and voice makes it much more powerful in it’s significance. Of course there is a visceral reaction by viewers, the reality is not going to be pretty, but this is his reality now and he’s still Roger. There was no other way to portray this better.

By: Roger Ebert | Eric Munn Photography Blog

Roger Ebert | Eric Munn Photography Blog — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:09:56 +0000

[...] Ebert I was surfing my usual photography links when I stubled on this. It’s an article about photographing Roger Ebert (post surgeries). The article about the [...]

By: dr.abort

dr.abort — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:53:02 +0000

Oh I looked it up he had face cancer.

By: John N.

John N. — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:40:56 +0000

Great work by Ethan and Chris. I’ve always admired Ebert’s prose and the article was a great look at his recent life.

There are a lot of terrific portraits out there but few really make you stop in your tracks. Honest and beautiful.

By: DaGoddess.com » A Love Note

DaGoddess.com » A Love Note — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:34:03 +0000

[...] The first: Roger Ebert in Esquire. Then Roger Ebert’s Last Words. Finally, there’s Ethan Hill’s post about setting up the shoot. Hmm, you know, perhaps you should read Ethan’s story first. It [...]

By: Christine Blackburne

Christine Blackburne — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:40:00 +0000

I assisted Ethan a few times a number of years ago. He’s an amazing photographer and he always went the extra distance to get to know his subjects before photographing them. Conducting a mini interview before the shoot made it possible for him to get to know his subjects and make them comfortable as well as make his images more insightful. Ethan really made the people that he shot feel safe and respected.

Also, his careful planning made it possible to add the spontaneous extra shot without a hitch or much inconvenience to his subjects.

Quick question, if Ethan is listening in or if Rob knows, does Ethan still shoot film whenever he can? Did he shoot film for this? Just curious since I know he was a die hard believer in film before. And if he is shooting digital, was it his choice to move in that direction or was it forced upon him by magazines?

Thanks so much for this interview both of you!

By: Shane

Shane — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:30:05 +0000

nothing.

By: dr.abort

dr.abort — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:23:45 +0000

Oh god, what’s wrong with his face?

By: Gene Smirnov

Gene Smirnov — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:18:12 +0000

This is solid and very insightful! Thanks so much.

By: Shane

Shane — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:30:00 +0000

Wow, what a beautiful portrait. Ebert used to say, in regards to movies, “it’s not what it’s about but how it’s about it.” I think this photograph fits that quote so well. It’s so honest and dignified. Another “I wish I had shot it” moment.

By: West Coast Jim

West Coast Jim — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:14:05 +0000

Yes, thank you both. Both for thinking to ask and for the lovely answers.
The image is disquieting but truly amazing. What balls on the part of the subject. Good job Ethan!
Good for him.
Best.

By: Cynthia Wood

Cynthia Wood — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:36:21 +0000

The Esquire profile of Roger Ebert was amazing (a friend of mine posted a link to it on facebook last week; I don’t normally read Esquire mag otherwise).

Thanks, Rob (and Ethan), for sharing this story about the shoot; I had been wondering about it myself after reading the piece as well as Roger’s reaction/blog post about it.

By: CMS

CMS — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:01:12 +0000

Rob & Ethan — thanks for this.

By: APE fan

APE fan — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:20:53 +0000

Thanks for posting the interview, Rob.

Ethan – it’s a warm and wonderful portrait of a warm and wonderful man. I met Roger in the past, when he was very helpful and generous to me and a project I was working on at the time.

After seeing this photo last week, I looked up your website — you do beautiful work, it’s so refreshing to see what I think is a classic approach… just really strong photographs.

Congrats on the pic of Rog, and good luch.

A.F.

By: Rose Callahan

Rose Callahan — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:28:04 +0000

@roger,

I completely agree – this is a terrific quote. This is really how it is. The behind the scenes story is fascinating.

By: Jason Campbell

Jason Campbell — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:32:37 +0000

I’d love to see the outtakes.

By: roger

roger — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:06:28 +0000

great quote . . .

“The pictures are only as good as the elusive dance of a subjects willingness to give something intimate and meaningful of themselves, and a photographers ability to recognize that at that very moment a gift is being given to them.”

By: Stephen Barker

Stephen Barker — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:47:56 +0000

Thank you for posting.

By: Simon Winnall

Simon Winnall — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:45:34 +0000

Great to hear the story. Thanks for posting!