Three Lessons from Magnum Photographer Eli Reed

From publishing books to dealing with the military

Last week, I shared a little bit from my time at the annual Sony Kando event. It was at this same event that I got a chance to have dinner with the prolific, Eli Reed. For those unfamiliar, Reed is a Magnum photographer whose photojournalism and documentary work truly sits among the greats. From Haiti to Beirut, and perhaps most importantly, the Black experience across America, Reed has created a body of work that truly makes you feel something.

When I found out he was at the same event as me, I had to find a moment to connect with him and just hear some of his stories. On the last night of this trip, I noticed an empty seat beside him during dinner and took my shot. I told him I know he’s kind of a big deal but if he didn’t mind me sitting next to him, which got a little laugh. He said sure, but if I could grab him a drink first.

Red or white? Taco night, so red.

Over the better part of an hour, Mr. Reed would share some jaw-dropping stories from his photography adventures around the world. It was awesome. This week, I’m gonna share with you the three lessons that I took away from my dinner with the incomparable Eli Reed.

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What Makes a Picture Great?

When asked what’s the difference between a good picture and great picture, Reed recalled something he learned from great Elliot Erwitt. “A great picture is something you can’t get out of your mind.” Simple and poignant. Many of us are capable of taking good pictures but with this definition, how many of us are capable of creating a great picture?

It really made me pause and think about how many of my photographs truly felt great to me. It’s something that I reflected on the flight home, just meditating on this idea and how my process should evolve to create great work.