short nights of the shadow catcher by timothy egan

All he cares about is capturing perfect images, which he can do only after taking the time to learn about Native Americans and their fading way of life. Not interested in money or fame, Edward does not care how long the project takes. All the money he receives goes toward equipment and fieldwork, and hiring employees to help him with the mammoth task set before him-a project expected to last twenty years. He is offered grants to continue his work, although he never receives any salary. Before long, Americans, including prominent financiers, see the potential in Edward’s work. He quickly earns a name for himself-the “Shadow Catcher.” Native Americans call him this because of his ability to capture their essence so well on film the name sticks with him for the rest of his career. Edward is known for capturing the true character of his subjects, and this early picture is one of the best examples. To Edward, she is the perfect Native American to capture on camera. She is paraded before tourists and visiting dignitaries, mocked for her so-called royal heritage. Princess Angeline lives in squalor after her father’s death she receives no respect from locals who are not Native American. At the time, there are very few Native Americans still living in Seattle. The subject is Princess Angeline, the daughter of Chief Seattle she lives in Seattle. Edward takes his first photograph of a Native American in 1896. From his late twenties, Edward specializes in Native American photography, building a respectful working relationship with Native American tribes. Building his own camera after completing sixth grade, he can’t imagine ever doing anything else with his life. Edward has always been destined to be a photographer. Instead, Egan tells us more about Edward Sheriff Curtis by looking at the stories behind his most memorable photographs. One of his best-known works, Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher is not structured as a traditional biography.

Egan, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of many nonfiction books, currently serves The New York Times as Pacific Northwest Correspondent. The book has won numerous awards, including the 2013 Andrew Carnegie Medal and the 2013 Washington State Book Award. Timothy Egan’s Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher: The Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis (2011), a work of American historical nonfiction, tells the story of the man behind some of the most famous photographs in Native American history, and how he chose which shots to take.

Short nights of the shadow catcher by timothy egan