More Wilma

OBVIOUSLY, SHE LEFT AN IMPRESSION ON ME. I showered attention on her, tried to impress her with lots of gear, and long lenses. She remained indifferent, as women sometimes do. Noncommittal, to say the least.

I have to admit that my interests were not solely in getting to know her so I could best express her soul, photographically. I was under pressure to make a National Geographic cover story happen in less than a week. Considering the contract for my first cover for the magazine was for 26 weeks—this was in November 1992—I had to considerably adjust my pace and methods.

As a shooter for the Geographic, one of the true blessings they traditionally confer upon you is the gift of time. Sometimes things go well in the field. Other times, not so well—or not at all. Out there on location, it can be divine, maddening, miraculous, or one of the circles of hell, all in turn, and quite quickly. You have to have the patience to run the course of a job. Sometimes, you can’t force it. Sometimes, you just have to wait for it to come to you. Time enables you to do that.