Remembering Cornell Capa

Photo © Petr Tausk/Courtesy ICP

Just in: Cornell Capa, Photographer And ICP Founder, Dies At 90

We're updating our story with reactions from the photo community as we get them. Feel free to share thoughts and remembrances in the comments below.

Comments

[Holly Hughes]

I think what ICP's Buzz Hartshorn says in the PDNOnline obit about "the sense of loyalty that [Cornell] engendered" is so touching and true. People throughout the photo industry regarded Cornell with admiration, esteem, warm affection.

At the ICP Infinity Awards in 2000, the year the Cornell Capa Infinity Award was inaugurated, photographer Robert Frank was named its first recipient. Mr. Frank doesn't seek the spotlight, and all of us in the audience knew that only the name "Cornell Capa" could have lured him to a fancy dress party. When he took the stage, Mr. Frank didn't talk about himself or his career. In a soft voice, he recalled a simple ceremony held in a Quaker cemetery at Robert Capa's grave. Frank went on to talk in such moving terms about his deep affection for both the Capa brothers. Cornell was in the room that night, as indeed he was present for every Infinity Award events until last year when his declining health kept him at home. But even in his absence, Buzz would ask the assembled guests to give Cornell a round of applause in recognition of all he's given to ICP, and all he's given to photography.
Next week, Cornell will be buried in the same Quaker cemetery, next to his brother.

[Robb Czimny]

I remember Cornell Capa speaking at the Rice Media Center here in Houston back in the 80's. He showed slides of his brother's (Robert) work and explained the philosophy of photojournalism. Everything was in black and white - the true journalist's medium. My respects to the Capas for their contribition to photography.

[Cees van Leeuwen]

As a young photographer I met him in his Paris office around 1970. He opened the door, and even before I could introduce myself he asked: "Do you smoke a cigar?", holding a big brown one under my nose. To say the least I was "surprised". We had a warm conversation in that dark brown office about how he sought the manage the photographers. A great personality he was!

[Shay Goldberg]

I knew Cornell many years ago when I worked at Magnum Photos. Not only was he a remarkable photographer, but a wonderful human being -- always had a smile and a good word to say to everyone -- and he had a great sense of humor! I will remember him fondly.