Stan The Man

Approximately 91 years ago Mr. & Mrs Menscher brought into this world  someone I called “Stan the Man.” 

Over my career,  I’ve had people who became mentors to me and became close friends who have helped me in many ways.  You might say, I’ve been a lucky son-of-a-bitch!  A long time ago I met Stanley. Stanley was what I would call a visionary.   He was up there in my book as being one of the finest advertising photographers in NYC.  He had clients like General Motors,  RJ R Nabisco, Burger King, IBM and the list went on.   He was a master of large, medium, and 35mm format photography not to mention 16mm film.   Stan was the second Instructor hired to teach the Nikon Photo Workshop.  He was a great teacher, motivator, great husband,  father, and a wonderful friend.  When it came to the computer and putting multimedia shows together he was far ahead of his time. Stanley would put together 26 projector shows, using two rear screens, and the shows were unbelieavable.  Stanley’s heart was full of love and caring for his fellow human being.  The only thing I held against him was, he never smoked or drank.  That’s me trying to be funny.!  He and his lovely wife Kathrin would come visit JoAnne and myself maybe twice a year and we’d always have a great time.  I went to see him last year and it was obvious he was not feeling well.  

I’ve attached this short funny video I did when we were together last. Stanley Video I want to say, Stanley thank you for the help you gave me and for the help you gave so many other photographers over the years.  You were light years ahead of us all!  I will always consider you a true visionary and a beautiful human being.  We last spoke at Christmas.  Kathrin called and told me that you had moved onto another level of consciousness.  She said you had no pain and that you went peacefully in your sleep.  Rest in peace Stanley.  Several friends of yours shed some tears.   Love you Joe D

Great Photographer, Great Friend, and Survivor

Photo Copyright Don Nelson

To All the ships at Sea
If you know me, you know I tend to repeat myself. It’s what I do. I’ve told you before I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I’ve got the best friends anyone could ask for. My friendship and respect for Don Nelson goes back a long way. He is truly a hero to me. He is bright, tough and never gives up. Great photographer; and a great friend. We all could learn by his courage.
Joe D.
About Don –

“My 23 years as a Nikon rep represent my times of most accomplishments. Calling on the large camera stores, the White House, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, AP, UPI, USA TODAY and being a staff photographer for the Redskins for six years brought me closer to understanding the needs of photojournalists. Washington, DC, the photojournalists’ headquarters taught and tested me. It was a good time. In 1987 I resigned to buy a business in Nashville. My sons were in high school at the time and after several years my business in Nashville failed. It was time to be back in the photo (equipment) business. I went to work for Pentax and moved from Nashville area down to the Atlanta area of Georgia. I worked for them for fourteen years until my cancer (Hodgkins) was discovered in 2005. After chemo,
radiation, and stem cell transplant I’m quietly getting ready to move back to the Nashville area. Our sons (2), Scott and Jeffrey still live there. It’ll be good to be convenient to them. My favorite photography is scenic in nature. Slow shutter speeds at dawn; in the attached photo the shutter speed was at 123 seconds.”
This is a photo of my friend Don Nelson Copyright Bob Dew