Ep 35 - Adger Cowans
The Black Shutter Podcast - A podcast by The Black Shutter Podcast

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Tune in to Episode 35 to hear the legendary Adger Cowans discuss his upbringing in Columbus, Ohio, assisting Gordon Parks at Life Magazine and how a trip to Brazil impacted his creativity. In the 1950’s, photography was considered a hobby that only White people pursued. It was not a job and it was not something Black folks really considered. Cameras and film were expensive. Education was expensive. And there was rampant racism. Adger Cowans believes that the camera is a tool to do research. That belief has led him to assist Gordon Parks at Life Magazine, become the first Black union photographer in the film industry as well as becoming one of the cofounders of the Kamoinge Collective.