The cover image of this article is from vintag.es.

Marilyn Stafford: The Unsung Heroine of Photography

Marilyn Stafford was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1925. She wanted to become an actress and singer but ended up becoming a photographer instead. This shift happened after a friend gave her a Rolleiflex camera when she moved to New York City. Without any formal training or proper guidance from professional photographers, she managed to do some decent work that caught the attention of some rich people such as Robert Capa and Henri Cartier-Bresson who acted as mentors for Marilyn.

Apart from taking portraits of Albert Einstein at home in New Jersey (1948), Marilyn also took street photographs for Vogue magazine's fashion editorials and went on shooting whatever came in front of her lens - From Italian writers (in Rome) to the people of Beirut and Tripoli (in Lebanon). She even took pictures on the film set for Sir Richard Attenborough’s 1969 directorial debut Oh! What a Lovely War!

Mostly using black and white film rolls throughout her career had one big disadvantage; it limited her work's appeal since everyone around was switching to modern digital cameras which could capture colour images way better than any traditional film roll ever could. Henceforth, most photographers began disregarding Marilyn's works until very recently when they realised how great her works were even after all these years gone by! That brings us back our discussion where we left that - Rich People Throwing Money At Her Work!

Rich People Throwing Money At Her Work

Recently these rich people decided that they will throw money at Marilyn's work so as to make sure that it gets properly credited wherever required. To make this happen easily these same rich people created an award called 'Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award' which will be used for rewarding female photographers around the world whose works are up-to-the mark as per their standards (read high standards). The main point behind creating such award is not only encouraging female photographers but also making sure that no other person enjoys benefits out something which rightfully belongs someone else (read; credit/money).

Now if there is something else which makes me angry apart from seeing my hard earned money just going away like crazy then its definitely seeing someone enjoying benefits out something against whom I have nothing personal whatsoever against them! Obviously nobody likes seeing things like this happening but unfortunately there isn't anything much one can do about it except commenting sarcastically online while sitting with popcorn on my couch watching TV shows every night like always before falling asleep with worry thinking hard how can I stop myself from being broke shortly if such things keep happening around me....Good thing though most often than not nothing happens right when you least expect it :D

Anyway coming back to our original topic i.e., 'rich people throwing money', what has been recently brought forward by American photographers Bob Gruen & Peter Howe seeking justice for their deceased colleague cannot be ignored anymore - They allege(d) that two awards created by two different philanthropists namely 'The Indian Photo Festival' & 'The Photoink' respectively were found guilty(by default) by taking away credits & awards due rightfully belonged(ed) either directly or indirectly linked with late female photographer named Marilyn Stafford without giving proper credits or rewards wherever applicable or required!! Strangely enough both organizations failed terribly here yet managed somehow successfully getting away without doing anything wrong whatsoever!! Clearly its very easy being able to play tricks when you have loads of cash right?!

In conclusion let me tell you one thing folks...If you think playing unfair while dealing with life isn't gonna take anyone anywhere then please think again coz now apparently we have seen even after doing wrong repeatedly still no real punishment ever awaits anyone having too much cash available at his disposal!! With all said & done though its still worth mentioning here despite everything mentioned above...I personally salute both Bob Gruen & Peter Howe who seeked justice on behalf coz without them none might've ever known anything ever happened here thus making us realise one important fact - Never give up hope despite your situation looking bleak!! If you're feeling stuck somewhere remember folks nothing can stop those who never accept defeat!!!