Gordon Baer

Gordon has had a life long fascination with photography. As a child of eight, he watched transfixed as a teacher developed a roll of film right before his eyes. He couldn't wait to get his first "real flash camera."

He entered a contest and won his first "real flash camera." He was off and running.

In college, he wanted to be a commercial photographer but a summer internship at the Louisville Courier Journal and the excitement of the civil rights and anti-war movements led him to pursue photo journalism.

Many people have commented on the depth of feeling displayed in Gordon's work. He credits Bob Doherty, a design instructor at the University of Louisville for teaching him to see life from the inside out, to express emotion in his work.

Gordon also credits Doherty with teaching him the art of photo cropping. When done properly, good cropping can bring focus and life to a photo by releasing or adding tension. Baer's work has an aliveness and a inner depth which show he absorbed his mentor's lessons.

In 1966, Gordon Baer became staff photographer for the Cincinnati Post & Times-Star. In 1971, he left that position to start a freelance business.

Gordon Baer has won many awards and accolades for his work over his long, creative career. One of his most cherished achievements is winning the Nikon Understanding Award for his photography in the book, Vietnam the Battle Comes Home. He spent a year and a half with the vets who are the subject of the book, getting to know them and their struggles. See the photos from the book.

All Gordon's photos tell a story. None are static. They live. I hope you enjoy his work as you visit this website.

The source for this bio was a delightfully written interview with Gordon by Dolores Smart simply titled "Baer Interview." Ms. Smart captured the essential Gordon Baer. I've attempted a very brief summary of her interview in my own words with a few of my own impressions. — Elizabeth Hamilton