Damn Tipper! (and Jodi)

I had a chance to stop by this lecture yesterday and obviously expected greatness from the renowned National Geographic photographer Jodi Cobb; but was taken aback by the power of Tipper's portfolio. As I mentioned to her, she was able to capture the essence of the subject as well as their position, particularly with her Meals on Wheels collection. But while on excursions to British Columbia with Al for his environmental work, she documented fantastic landscapes reminiscent of Adams. Well done Tipper. She had briefly mentioned her trip to Rwanda, I would love to see more of work on that. Obviously...more to come.

Picturing Change: An Evening with Tipper Gore and Jodi Cobb
Thursday, January 17, 2008 @ 7:00 PM

In this rare and thought-provoking evening on photography, Tipper Gore and Jodi Cobb share their individual experiences behind the lens of the camera. Both women possess a deep passion for photography, and have spent much of their lives exploring the range and power of this medium. Tipper Gore, former photographer for the Nashville Tennessean and wife of former Vice President Al Gore, has traveled the world, taking time to capture most of her experiences through film. Her photographs were included in the 1999-2000 Corcoran exhibition, The Way Home: Ending Homelessness in America, and her photography has shaped her role as an avid advocate for issues related to mental health, education, and homelessness. Jodi Cobb, currently National Geographic's only female staff photographer, is a pioneer in her field, one of only four women to hold that position in the magazine's history. She boasts a impressively broad body of work, and is perhaps best known for her work as author and photographer of the award-winning Geisha: The Life, the Voices, the Art (Knopf, 1995). Her recent project for National Geographic, 21st-Century Slaves, offers an unflinching look at the brutal reality of the millions of people that are bought, sold, and exploited for profit each year. Gore and Cobb discuss their individual projects, and explore in dialogue, the role of photography as a vehicle for social change. This program is presented in conjunction with Ansel Adams, which closes to the public on January 27, 2008.