Charles Moore, legendary photojournalist from Alabama died, unceremoniously, a few days ago (March 12) at the age of 79. Not too many people knew him or about his unique calling.   No, he was not a movie star, not a politician, not a financial mogul or even a villainous character of some measure. He was one of my heroes though who fought (in his own words) “…with my camera…” during one of the darkest period in this country’s history.

Charles Moore was a little known photographer who served in the U.S. Marines and later with the Montgomery (Alabama) Advertiser. As a photojournalist, he covered the Civil Rights Era and captured some of the most celebrated photographs about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement.  In fact, distinguished American historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. once wrote: “Moore’s photographs are credited with helping to quicken the passage of the Civil Rights Act (1964) and transformed the national mood and made the legislation not just necessary, but possible.”

This interview video.google.com/videoplay of Moore was made 2008 in which he talks about his role in covering the Civil Rights Movement.  I first saw his photographs in Life Magazine in the early 60’s along with the likes of Gordon Parks, another great Life Magazine Photog. It was during this time when my interest in Photography was further defined.

This is a most compelling piece of American history, and a great opportunity to meet Charles Moore (1931-2010) if you'd like to know how important this man (and his skill) was to the Civil Rights Movement.