Checkered Flag - Dave Friedman

[computerworks]

Picked up from social media... more details will follow

"...Waking up to the sad news that Dave Friedman - the official Shelby American photographer from 1962 to 1965 - passed away yesterday at the age of 86. "

[SFM5S000]

How sad, the loss of Dave Friedman. He witnessed and photographed the incredible history of Shelby American. His photography in black and white captured the personalities of the people, the building and development of the cars, the races etc. Again, an incredible archive of images.
Condolences to his family and friends.

Godspeed.

Earl J Castillo

[rkm]

Very sad news.But thank God he was around to capture all that history for us!

[trotrof1]

You know these guys are sitting around together having a beer alike the Doolittle Raiders.

[Royce Peterson]

I envy Dave for being there and taking all those great photos. Rest in Peace sir. You deserve it.

[daltondavid]

What a great Photographer! He was doing it back when it took way more skill and effort to accomplish successful shots! We salute you Sir!!

[Don Johnston]

His photos help maintain the legacy of the cars, racers and personnel of an amazing era.  I had the pleasure of chatting with Dave at a the Indianpolis SAAC Convention when his Shelby American book was being released.  He was such an interesting man and a keen eye photographer. While he will be missed, his works, thanksfully, remain.

[Kent]

RIP Dave, I have all the books from him so his legacy will never be lost.

[deathsled]

RIP to Mr. Friedman.

[GrabberOrange69]

https://www.autoweek.com/news/a70556298/david-friedman-photographer-for-shelby-and-many-others-has-died/

[s2ms]

Had a chance to talk with Dave about a year ago. I had questions about a specific photo taken at SAI and was hoping he either took, or at least had some knowledge about it. Said he'd be glad to help and gave me his personal email to send him a copy. Turns out it was taken after he left, but he was very kind and gave me all the time I needed to answer my questions. RIP Dave, and thanks again for the help!

[Cobra Ned]

Here's something I always wondered about: if Dave was paid for his work at Shelby American, who actually owned the various photos he took? Him, or Shelby? I compare it to a wedding photographer - the photographer is paid for his or her work and the photos are owned by the family. I'd enjoy hearing thoughts on this.

[SFM5S000]

Hello Ned,
I do remember some issue with the ownership of the negatives from about 20 +/- years ago or something. Didn't Dave try or did attempt to "reacquire" the negatives back? As early SAI images and history regained popularity.
I vaguely remember hearing about this. It put David Friedman in a very bad light and made him very unpopular. (I'm being nice in my choice of words).
The pictures/images he took were incredible as it documented SAI from the beginning. But using your analogy of a wedding photographer and ownership of the negatives, was part of the issue.
Again this is what I remember, correct me if I'm wrong.

Cheers,
~Earl J

(Ned, don't you miss your Lake Pacid "cottage"? ~E)

[JD]

Back in the day, photographers were hired and paid for the photoshoot, they retained the film generally negatives as most persons or companies didn't have the dark room equipment and materials to make prints and do retouching or to properly store the film.  Then they also sold you prints as needed.

You could negotiate that you owned the film, but the photographer would still hold it for you and still make prints as required as most didn't have darkrooms and print making abilities.

The digital cameras and reproduction output methods (taking your own photo editing "PhotShop" for sizing, cropping etc., to make files for sending out for any and all needs) came and changed some/all of that, as well as scanners to turn existing film into digital files.  The waters got muddier.

Different venues (print, on-line etc.) want different file sizes & types a whole maze in itself.

Now you can negotiate getting the (copies) of the original digital but sometimes you still need to acknowledge the photographer.

I too had heard there was an issue, years ago, with Friedman and SAAC (Kopec?) about receiving/being given film and loaning back film and not getting it returned and then Dave sold it and got it (borrowed) it back more than once to other entities? and others were not pleased with him?

Just some info, others will know or contribute more.

[propayne]

^^^ Great explanation JD.

Photographers were at the vanguard of protecting creator's rights. Before digital and the ability to make copies with the click of a mouse and send them via email, photographers could protect their negatives like they were their own babies.

Who owns what would normally be worked out in a business agreement before work began along with how the work could be used.

I would be fascinated to know if Dave had a contract and if so exactly what was spelled out in it.

- Phillip