Sunday April 26, 2015, the Shreveport Historic Preservation Society held a reception to honor three of Shreveport’s finest photographers. With over 200 years combined experience, Fletcher Thorne-Thomsen, Thurman C. Smith, and Jack Barham, talked about their early beginnings in photography and their military service during World War II.
The photographers forum, held at the Community Trust Bank at 308 Market Street in the historic former Wray – Dickinson Ford Dealership, began at 2pm with an opportunity for the public to meet and talk to the photographers. Then after a short introduction to the forum, SHPS president, W. Conway Link introduced John Andrew Prime, long time military and history reporter/historian at the Times, who spoke warmly about his long time friend Fletcher Thorne-Thomsen and the days of Par Excellence, Thorne-Thomsen’s professional photo lab on Youree Drive. Ms. Teresa Blount, former employee at Par Excellence, heaped more praise on her former employer. She told how she and Ms. Angel Burns, both having been employed by Mr. Thorne-Thomsen for years, had been encouraged to continue the legendary business, now operating as Beyond Digital Imaging. After the introductions, Fletcher talked about his very early beginnings in photography and his military experience which included being in the first unit to liberate the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau.
Scott Smith then took center stage to express his admiration and appreciation for his father, Thurman C. Smith. Scott, himself an accomplished photographer, emphasized this dad’s integrity and professionalism. Thurman Smith, mentioned his military service as well as his long journey to excellence — focusing more on commercial, architectural, and industrial photographer, rather than studio portrait work. Mr. Smith pointed out to the audience the finer details of his photographs which were positioned on easels near by. Mr. Smith continued his professional work throughout the first decade of this century, turning out over 1000 photographic prints for LouisianaLink L.LC. until 2011, as well as other jobs including aerials.
SHPS secretary, Laurie Cox, introduced Jack Barham, long time photo editor and photographer for the Shreveport Journal. Barham elaborated on his experiences in the Navy, including his awaiting orders to invade Japan, when he and his shipmates learned that Little Boy and Fat Man had been dropped. Mr. Barham also discussed several of his photos, also on easels, including an early Elvis Presley at the Louisiana Hayride, an aerial sequence of the demolition in 1984 of the landmark multistory Oden building at 306 Milam Street, Mr. Barham also commented on numerous connections and friends he had made with his photographic subjects.
Following Mr. Barham’s presentation, each photographer was given a plaque with the following engraved on a brass plate: “In recognition of ********** for Excellence in Photography and Service to our Country. April 26, 2015. Shreveport Historic Preservation Society”. A short photo session then followed.
Credit, in no particular order of importance, goes to SHPS members Kelly Rich, who arranged the agreement with Community Trust Bank for the forum site, Agatha Fertitta McCall — refreshments, Leonard Gresens — easels, Jim McClure — photography. Special thanks to Diane Tate for design of the program, Community Trust Bank for the site, and Tommy Chandler for donation of the vintage barn wood siding for the plaque boards.