Bobby Model, Nairobi Kenya

This month's National Geographic Magazine arrived yesterday. The stories, as usual, are strong, but the most important thing to me this month is the editor's note. In it Chris Johns talks about photographer Bobby Model and his remarkable struggle to survive and overcome a devastating injury. Bobby's perseverance and absolute lack of self pity should shame us all into being better people.

I'll be the first person to say that I don't know Bobby well. Just met him one time in Nairobi when he was assisting David Alan Harvey. I had stopped in to see Dave on my way home from covering the long, ongoing mess that is the Uganda-Sudan Border. As I thought, a few days with Dave were the perfect antidote. Meeting Bobby was a an added bonus.

I was impressed with Bobby's kindness and with his photographs but mostly with his desire to be a better photographer. Bobby was already a very successful adventure shooter, but he wanted to be more, to say more, to tell complicated stories at a point in his career where he could have very easily sat back and kept doing what he was already very good at. 

Today I am even more impressed by his courage. Bobby, glad you are home.

-Stephen Alvarez

Sept 17, 2009  sadly Bobby passed away yesterday. His kindness and determination should still inspire us all

Comments

[Liz Grady]

Stephen that was absolutely beautiful. Thanks for caring for my dear friend - you guys will share a cold beer again one of these days!
xxoo Liz

[Ian MacLellan]

I just wanted to say that I saw a great series of photographs from the Tufts Exposure group that was in Northern Uganda with you last summer. You must have given some good guidance! Thanks for working with Tufts.