For 2018: Be More Like Nat

#3 Bows Out

A few years back, I created (with lots of help) a documentary on the legendary Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist, Nat Fein. In 1949, Nat won the Pulitzer for Best Spot News Photography for his iconic photo of Babe Ruth made during the retirement of  Ruth's number at Yankee Stadium. #3 Bows Out (which is its true title) has become part of American mythology. TIME magazine named it one of the 100 most influential photographs of ALL TIME.

But, if you knew Nat the way that I was fortunate enough to, you would understand why I called the documentary: Nat Fein: A Talent for Living. I lifted the title from a portion of an interview within the documentary from an expert describing how multi-talented Nat was. In addition to his obvious skills as a photographer, he could also sketch as good as a commercial cartoonist and sing like a professional musician.  And, perhaps most importantly, he was also simply a joy to be around. Making people smile was Nat's mission, his mitzvah.

Nat Fein courtesy of the Fein Estate

During another interview, professional musician, Loren Korevec, who became a dear friend of Nat's too when Nat asked if he could sit-in and sing on one of Loren's sets, described his nature this way:
Nat was like this fountain of creativity and joy and he simply couldn't turn off the spicket. When I think of Nat, I need to remember to be like that.

And, that, friends, is my New Year's Resolution - to be more like Nat - more engaged, more creative, more tolerant, more accessible, more loving.



HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

*SPECIAL THANKS TO DAVID NIEVES AND THE FEIN ESTATE.