I didn’t want his glass and silver
to be a lady or to serve him dinner.
So I pawned his linen for my lens,
went out collecting sinners
to fix to plates, to make friends
at fairs and taverns with distillers
whores or natives; create on paper
facts for him to find a little later.
Jessie Tarbox Beals
America’s first female photojournalist
c. 1904
For Kerry’s prompt at toads, a 55 on early photojournalism (maybe). I will also link up to Poetry Pantry tomorrow morning.
—
December 1, 2018
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Oh, very clever Björn!
A wealthy woman who bought her first camera when she was 16. I have done a tone of research on early women photojournalists. I never considered Beals a photojournalist but rather a photographer. she took tons of photos of shops and tea rooms in Greenwich Village which she was paid for, tons of photos of rich people’s cats and dogs, a few portraits of wealthy people and a few self portraits.
I had to do some reading on her to confirm my assessment of her…
1. Though born in a wealthy family her father lost most of the money to drinking.
2. She won her first camera at a competition
3. She was the first woman to be published in a journal and took assignments from news papers…
I’m sure one really had to know about light and how to use it properly – the photos shown looked pretty well lit – not dark and blurry as many were back in the day. It obviously was a passion of hers.
Actually I read a bit on where she pioneered and it had a lot to do about light, or rather lack of light… her night photography is pretty nice.
I love this so much. ❤
My favorite:
"So I pawned his linen for my lens,
went out collecting sinners"
Gosh, I love this poem, Bjorn. The voice is so authentic, and I do love the way you phrased her articulation of self-discovery.
Hi Bjorn, this was fun. I liked your list of sinners, guess I’ve rubbed elbows with all three. I tell of the Juarez prostitute but not here, no I wasn’t a client.
..
collecting sinners
to fix to plates,… wonderful!!
I love your slant on the image, Björn, and the way you tell it from her point of view:
‘I didn’t want his glass and silver
to be a lady or to serve him dinner.
So I pawned his linen for my lens,
went out collecting sinners’.
Good for her to be out in the world. Lens & creativity is much better than glass and silver. She has wit, indeed.
Loved it, what an excellent back story. Is he going to get a surprise!
Oh, I like your protagonist!
This is absolutely amazing, Bjorn! 😀 You rocked the prompt! ❤️
Little gem here Bjorn, not only sharply descriptive but emotive of a liberated woman a century ago. You kept it 55 and smartly rhymed. Good work.
I like how you depicted her fierceness…no talk..all action ( and I’m sure he got his own dinner)
An awesome 55! She sounds amazing!
I am glad that women were among the early professional photographers. A fascinating portrait.
I loved the story but didn’t get the glass and silver reference. Loved the linen for lens and sinners part. The picture intrigues me.
They’re anniversary gifts and camera references.
Yes… glass plates with silver was used as “film”… but it was also essential for a bourgeois home to lay the table with… 🙂
A vivid poem that matches the way she leans into the photo below…you can feel the curiosity and enthusiasm
an interesting perspective of a pioneering woman photographer. 🙂
I love how clever this write is, well done.
A clever poem that works perfectly with this photo and subject especially the first line…..been seeing a lot lately about early woman photojournalism and woman subjects of these photographers.
Bjorn, this is all sorts of delicious. The rhythm is sensual, as if one should dance to it while snapping a little hip. I want to travel with this lady.
Love it! Very cool. You’ve created a cadence here, that juxtaposes wonderfully with the content.
This is delightful! I wish I could have met this photographer.
She took the right decision in doing what she willed. Expressed aptly in your poem! Love the way you have penned for the prompt!
kaykuala
I didn’t want his glass and silver
to be a lady or to serve him dinner.
So I pawned his linen for my lens,
A determined lady with a mind of her own giving back without remorse. she would make it a success at something that required resolve and courage.
Hank
Ah yes tribute to those pioneering women who knew what they wanted and stepped out and did it. Nice one Bjorn.
Thanks for dropping by my sumie Dunday this week
Much💜love
Oh, I love the thought of her collecting sinners. She was way before her time. If she needed to physically climb to get the right angle. I can’t imagine that in all those clothes they were then.
I love the life and background you gave her.
Love