History of a Cover Image
Byways of Photo Memory
“One never knows, do one?” That famous quote, attributed to pianist Fats Waller, can be applied to photographs.
My day’s jaunt from Manhattan’s Lower East Side to Staten Island in November, 1962 was a fun journey with casual friends. Preserved on film, some of the moments are shown below. Fifty two years later, I have no idea of anyone’s name, but one of the pictures is being used on the May 2014 cover of Sun Magazine, as it was on the cover of my 2011 book, Causes and Spirits.
We stopped at the little girl’s house for an hour at most. We had taken the Staten Island Ferry, and later visited the Catholic Worker’s Peter Maurin House (but those are other stories).
I was using a Leica which was later ripped off my neck during a riot in Ma’an, Jordan (yet another story).
I guess we old folks are story tellers.
Here are scans of the uncorrected original shoot on 35mm Tri-X, dust spots and all. Do you know which became the cover image? Answer next time. The girl(s) must be around 60 now.
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Image 5
Image 6
Image 7
Image 8
Image 9
Image 10
Copyright statement: William Carter papers, © Stanford University Libraries. Click here for a detailed usage guide.
By William Carter 
Hi William, Its picture 8. I did a search of the Sun Magazine and there was a link to your book :-). I am from NYC and the same vintage (near enough) as the photos taken. I also make my living as a photographer here in Australia. Yes Will, stories do come as one grows older “As Time Goes By” ;-). Love ya work matey!!!
LikeLike
Leonard Choice
April 5, 2014 at 9:11 am
Wonderful images.
LikeLike
Barbara
April 1, 2014 at 5:18 pm
bill thanks for the captivating little girls. jon r
LikeLike
jonrandal
April 1, 2014 at 12:57 pm
Love your work from NYC days …brings back so many great memories of when I lived there from ’57 – ’62.
LikeLike
Pat Dowling
April 17, 2014 at 5:57 pm