A six-time Wisconsin news photographer of the year will review his path to a Pulitzer Prize in photography, in a Nov. 30 presentation at the L. E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire.
Gary Porter will speak on “Looking Back Through the Lens of My Life,” at 6 p.m. in the Eau Claire Room on the Library’s lower level. A reception on the second floor of the Library will follow his presentation, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
A retrospective exhibit on the Library’s second floor will feature Porter’s work for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, over the last 30 years of his career. The photographs offer a glimpse into the lives and situations of the people he has reported on.
The exhibit may be viewed during regular Library hours: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m
Growing up, Porter’s parents advised him to keep his options open. He attended college in Wisconsin without really thinking about what would come next. The need to support his growing family forced him to take a series of odd jobs, which included repairing electric motors, operating an “air-curtain destructor” and working in a foundry.
One job led him to Canada where he studied photography at Ryerson University in Toronto. Eventually, Porter moved on, carrying his camera with him and finally landed a paid photojournalist position at the Journal Sentinel.
Porter now sees that as the dream job at the end of a winding, often unclear, career path. He has traveled extensively throughout the world and at home covering significant stories and events for the newspaper.
The Nov. 30 ShopTalk event at the Library is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Humanities Council.
Further information is available at the Library’s Information & Reference desk, by calling 715-839-5004 or by e-mailing librarian@eauclaire.lib.wi.us.
Information for this article was provided by the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library.