At 90, Photographer Fred Baldwin Still Has ‘So Much Work Left to Do’

STUMBBLING upon this article was quite the serendipitous occasion...

Thoroughly enjoyed! Thank you for these words and photos. As someone who is at a crossroads myself, it's great to experience other people in their lifelong journeys.

It is a pity that I met Fred after the PhotoFest was on a couple of years. I wrote a couple of articles about it after going there twice. Unfortunately, I thought of Fred as a slow-speaking saboteur. My low opinion is justified by the fact that artist/photographers have to pay $900 (maybe more, by now.) to meet about 4 viewers when the well paid viewers see about double that amount and they get the benefit of publishing or showing some great works. Sometimes with NO results for the money, NADA. Why don't you write about that. Say hello to F.B. for me, Geoffrey Forrest.

Camera power unmatched in the art world. Draws you in and makes you stare. Makes you think and wonder. These are just great.

These photo features are a big reason I subscribe to NYTimes online...the videos?...not so much.

Thank you, Fred, for reminding us of the times past that are still too much of a reality of our present. Your work and your honesty bring light to us just as Wendy brought light and possibility to your life. You're both brilliant and have made - and continue to make - huge contributions to the future of us all. I thank you, Love, Gay

I was moved seeing these photographs that so powerfully tell stories of our human condition. I hope lots of folks see these photos.

Here is America. I grew up in New Hampshire when it was the whitest state in the country, but I recognized every man, woman and child in these photos. Maybe it's just because I'm in my late 60s now or because rural is rural. But these pictures made me want to cry. Here we are, yes, even today, warts and all. Lots of warts, even if you don't often actually see three generations of KKK white boys hangin' together painting.

Powerful photos. The pic of the KKK car shows how race prejudice is handed down from dad to son, with the approval of grandpa.

Great article! Love these photographs! Looking forward to seeing the book by Fred Baldwin ! and the documentary! Keep up the great work Mr Baldwin ! Thank you NYT for publishing this article!

Fred Baldwin, an inspiring photographer still alive telling his story is amazing. His photographs have shown so much power today, and have shown what life was like back then, it shows our history, and our future. I really enjoy how he focused on mainly one thing in his photographs, the photograph of Martin Luther king has so much meaning, it shows that Fred Bladwin was very into the civil rights movement. HIs quote: Have a dream, use your imagination, overcome your fear, and then the real secret to the whole thing: You have to act “ shows that anything is possible as long as you act. Fred Baldwin is a very influential man and his art has shown so much perspective in life, i believe that this is what we need to be talking about how someone so little in reality can have so much impact on someone.

He remains true to his photographic vision at 90, honed in his idealistic youth. Each photo still brings forth consummate, sensitivity, thoughtful, artful, so well composed, yet so layered in their humanity, that they gently invite us to step into his world, which we cheerfully accept. Well done!

Everything about this article! Exactly what we should be reading about right now. Vitality, history, art, adventure, success, failure, being open to life wherever it leads. Please keep telling your stories. You are so inspiring.

Such seeing photographs; Mr Baldwin's determination to be 'useful' has given us an insightful, artistic collection. The article conveys his talent wonderfully. Thank you.

I think it's incredible that one man can capture so many stories throughout his life. Looking through his work is truly inspiring.

A master of story-telling. Inspiring article for anyone dreaming about becoming a photographer.

Now there’s a rich man . He has inspired me .

Superb article, photographs and advice about living meaningfully and creatively. Thanks to Fred Baldwin and Wendy Watriss for their example, and to James Estrin for this article.

Wonderful man and wonderful story. He deserves to live more years with vision and the yearning he has to explore the human condition.

A fabulous look at the life and photos of a great photographer and wonderful human being.

These photos are memories my mind does not know and so I imagine what could be. These photos are quite enjoyable.

Stories like this about the "story teller" not only give us a greater appreciation of their work but help us to pursue our own dreams. Thank you for sharing, Mr Baldwin.

Can we have the full names of the god-fearing souls painting the KKKK car? I’m sure they are proud of their work and would be happy for us to know.

Wonderful pictures documenting everything from the Korean War to a slice of rural America. Well done.

Spectacular Fred! This absolutely captures not only your talent and life but your refreshing honesty about your life before Wendy and then with her. Few know how incredibly talented and funny you are-- this will give them an important window into the complex and yes brilliant Fred Baldwin. Besos, Wendy Luers