Charles Harbutt, photograph by Joan Liftin
The Co-founder and Creative Director of Visura.co, Adriana Teresa Letorney has dedicated her life to building a global community to connect photographers, editors, curators, and organizations. Dedicated to the formation and implementation of economic development through art and cultural initiatives, with a focus on photography, online media, international festivals and tourism, Adriana Teresa’s love for photography resides deep in her heart. She speaks about the book that changed her life: Travelog by Charles Harbutt, first published in 1974 by The MIT Press.
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Can you please talk about Charles Harbutt’s Travelog: How did you discover this book? Can you remember the first time you saw it? What was your experience of the book?
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Adriana Teresa: The first time I learned about Charles Harbutt‘s Travelog was during a dinner at a dining restaurant with Sylvia Plachy, who introduced me to my now dear friend and extended family member, photographer Jeff Jacobson. They both spoke about Charles Harbutt and recommended Travelog. I will be forever grateful to them.
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What was the impact of the book? How did the book change your life?
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Until Travelog, I had always envisioned photography as images. It was after I experienced the images in the book and read the epilogue “I don’t take pictures, pictures take me” that I started to see and approach photography as a language of its own—filled with possibilities, layers, depth and weight. Since, I relate the work of photographers with other arts, especially literary novels, music and film. More importantly, I see images as interpretations, perspectives and even at times, reflections of the truths, not the truth.
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Think about it—since, I do not seek for an answer when I look at an image; instead, I allow myself to dive into the world of questions—endless questions: The how, why, when, where and with what purpose. Questions like: how is that image a reflection of you or what drew you to that image or did the image come to you? This is the roots of Visura when I think about photography: an open dialogue filled with questions that lead to discussions, at times the peeling of an onion with the hopes that we can find, touch, describe a universal truth; and, in doing so, bring about positive change to society.
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I know Charles Harbutt was very special to you. Can you talk about what he was like? How did knowing him shape your relationship to his work?
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Charlie was very kind to me. He was brutally honest, which at times was hard to digest. He was the real deal: the photographer who remained a photographer throughout his entire life. Listening to him was a lesson on the history of photography, only that his version was a first-hand account. Head on, he experienced the changes and challenges that the industry faced for most of the 20th century; he also faced the impact for taking a stand when he did not agree with the direction the industry was taking in regards to photography. I will always admire his strength and courage to stay true to his voice as a photographer, a leader, a writer, a teacher and a journalist. Throughout his life, he remained truthful to his values, belief and above all love for the realm.
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Charlie became a photographer at a very young age during his teens, and he passed away at the age of 80. He had seen many come and go, and I will never forget, when he told me: “In our 20s, we were many; in our 30s, we were half that number; in our 40s, we were half that number, and so on…. by now, we are around five photographers. BOOM.”
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When I think of a photographer, I think Charles Harbutt: little to do with the awards, cool factor, social life and covers; everything to do with purpose, perseverance, focus, hard work, love, dedication and, most importantly, photography. From time to time, when I think of giving up—I think of Charlie…and his love for his wife Joan.
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It’s true. It was all real. I saw it with my own two eyes. And his images were a reflection of it all.
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Looking back now at the book, do you see something you hadn’t seen before? How has your knowledge and understanding of Charles’ work deepened and developed over time?
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Now, when I go back to the book or when I re-read his column with Visura Magazine, I hear him. It was an honor to have met him. Even more, I am so grateful that he allowed me to fail so many times, yet he always gave me another chance.
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I think that is a big lesson to learn….no matter how many times you fail, it is worse to do nothing.
