The Real Deal

In Pursuit of Heroes

Every year I tell myself I’ll go to National Geographic’s annual get-together, which is still called the National Geographic Seminar. Historically, it was comprised of photo lectures and programs, speakers, “works in progress,” cash bars, get-togethers amongst the photogs, and punctuated by “the prom,” a photo community bash with music and dancing. It’s changed and diminished over time, but they resolutely have continued to stage some version of the original event every January.

Every year, I do fancy going. And every year, I pretty much don’t go. Except one year, somewhat recently. I noticed that Danny Lyon, a Magnum photographer, was speaking, along with Julian Bond, who was one of my early political and social activist ...