Neil Burgess

An open letter to Neil Burgess, following his own advice: “For God’s sake Somebody call it”.


Dear Neil,

Thank you. I will accept the way you have associated LPA with the plucked vulture as a compliment.  A visit to the oiseaux-birds.com website to see the comments of Nicole Bouglouan will explain why.  Any traveller will know how these were birds venerated in ancient Egypt in part because of their ability to prevent the spread of diseases from rotting carcasses.  The RSPB website  shows how, in many parts of the world, steps are being taken to protect and breed them.

Much like vultures generally, LPA has been getting a lot of bad press because the facts about us are not known.

Neil Burgess has asked for an apology. We give it to him and EPUK – especially on misspelling Neil’s name.  (That trip to Neal’s Yard was obviously still too fresh in my mind).

I saw Neil’s article:  “For God’s sake Somebody call it”.  What is my justification for wanting to re-publish that piece?  I considered that it was one of the most important pieces written about photojournalism in recent times.  I wanted to share it with LPA’s readers. I added some supportive comments and, in my opinion, still gave full credit to Neil Burgess.

My original note to Neil said this:-

“Hello Neil,

I have just read your piece " For God's sake somebody call it" ... thank God someone has had the balls to write this very 'long overdue' piece.
I would like to publish it on our site and blog, would that be possible please?
It would be good the chat at some point.
Very best
Kevin”

The reply I received from Neil’s office (though not from Neil himself) said this:-

“Hi Kevin



NB’s away as of today. Yes, go ahead and use it, the phone has been buzzing all day today because of it. 
Best”

I re-published the article, in its entirety, on the LPA website. The message is important.

Since then the carcasses of exchanges have grown and are in decay.  I did what I believed was right and thought I had the appropriate consent to do it. When attacked for doing that, I took the piece off the website and I defended what I had done.  It is normal. (Those who are interested might be amused to find out how a vulture defends itself).

Now I would like to hold out the hand of friendship to Neil and EPUK.  

We are all on the same side - supporting photographers who need to find a way to have their skills properly respected and rewarded.  Let’s call an end to it Neil and EPUK and let’s focus on the needs of those photographers.

Cheers

Kevin