Belson Was Friend as Well as Teacher
* Re “In Living Black-and-White,” Aug. 28:
I was one of those many students of Al Belson at the Newport School of Photography who could call Al a friend. He and his sister, Betty, used to come to our home for Thanksgiving each year prior to his marriage to Eve.
I was fortunate enough to not only attend many of Belson’s classes but, additionally, go with Al on many photography workshops to such wonderful places as Yosemite, the Carmel area and the California gold country.
He was such a joy to be around, with a magnificent sense of humor and a hands-on teaching method to be envied by all teachers in any discipline.
Al’s definition of a professional photographer was, “A guy with a 35mm camera and a wife with a great job.”
One of my great regrets is that Al is not around to receive the credit and accolades he so richly deserves. He is gravely missed!
M. JOHN LIPPMAN
Newport Beach
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