I Heard the News Today, Oh Boy!

I Heard the News Today, Oh Boy!!!!!

I’ve covered my share of sad stories, regardless, I don’t think you ever get used to hearing sad news, especially of friends. Earlier this week I received an email; a mutual friend and teammate passed away.

In the 80’s as Newspictures Bureau Manager for United Press International part of the job was to nurture talent and form a team of skilled photographers. Over the years I had many who would come through my door hoping for an opportunity as a wire service photographer, only to be told, no. It was a time when you could be frank and direct. You didn’t need to read a book the size of a Tolstoy novel, given to you by Human Resources, on recruitment.

I can’t remember who introduced us or when I met Chris Boyd. I can tell you he was a talent right from the start. We were as different as night and day, in every respect, except work ethic; that’s all that mattered.

Back then it was difficult to make a living as a “stringer” for the wires. You did it for the training and possibly getting a job down the road. But Chris never talked about money or how much per picture or assignment. He did it for the love of shooting pictures. He had a day job working with a suburban newspaper. But the assignments I would give him were much different. Chris and I along with my team covered the Pistons’ run to two Championships in the 80’s & 90’s. There was countless Lions’, University of Michigan, Michigan State and Notre Dame Football games

The photographers on my team were as good as any. But Chris was more stealth. Unassuming and when you least expected it, his pictures screamed off the frame. He would never write, “Good Shot” on the caption envelope. The film runner would drop off his roll without message; after a few “conversations” this changed. He was humble to a fault, always giving credit to others for his due diligence and fine work. You never saw him in the “front row” of any team picture.

UPI Detroit Newspictures Team. L-R: John Hillery, Chris Boyd, Joe Polimeni, Bill Pugliano, Chuck Stouffer and.  Gary Caskey
UPI Detroit Newspictures Team. L-R: John Hillery, Chris Boyd, Joe Polimeni, Bill Pugliano, Chuck Stouffer and. Gary Caskey

As a quasi photographer/editor, among the many hats I wore, my boss taught me picture editing was more than selecting the best picture. The true skill of a wire editor was to not only know there was good action, but also have a sense of where your team was and whose film to develop first. It was a calculated risk but the wires were about risk and speed.

We were covering a Michigan-Ohio State football game. The action was in Chris’ area. I remember looking for his film as the runner dropped it off. Always thinking of others, Chris held his film because he was shooting close to a photographer that was with me longer. He respected the senior shooter would have the picture and didn’t want to put me behind in the darkroom. In those days you could develop 8 rolls of film at a time. In reality, you only developed 4-6; drying slowed you down. At the end of the game all the photographers came back to our remote location in the U of M press box; I asked Chris for his 3rd quarter film. He had the picture. I transmitted it immediately and only hoped it was in time. Chris’ picture was the lead in the New York Times. Chris saw the print of his picture next to my typewriter as I wrote a caption. He waited hours until everyone left to say two words;  “Lesson Learned.” I looked at him and said, “I know.”

Not long after, during the Lions’ Thanksgiving Day game, Chris made a beautiful picture of Barry Sanders. Not only did it appear in most newspapers the following day in color, a big deal at the time, he won first place in the National Football League’s Hall of Fame contest. They made a trading card of it and people around the country would send him their card for him to sign. His picture is on display at the Hall of Fame. True to form, I believe I told more people than Chris.

ChrisBoyd_Barry Sanders_Thanksgiving Day_89
ChrisBoyd_Barry Sanders_Thanksgiving Day_89

When UPI fell victim of the newspaper meltdown of the 80’s and 90s the team went separate ways. I went from seeing Chris most every weekend to being able to count the number of times I saw him on one hand in the last 19 years, with a finger or two left over. Nonetheless, in my office, I have several pictures of the team and could say he was always with me. I don’t think a week went by when I didn’t think of him and a fun story. A cane he gave to me for my 40th birthday is still one of my treasures.

In our economy people say much too easily that anyone in the work force can be replaced; no one will be missed. I’m here to tell you that just isn’t true.

The world lost a great man, a tremendous photographer, an outstanding dad, and just a great human being. His much too early passing left a void to anyone who was privileged to know him, and those unfortunate not to have the opportunity.

I still hear his wonderful laugh after yelling, “Hey Chris, I’m not runnin’ a damn weekly.”

Rest In Peace my dear friend!

Joe Polimeni

Chris Boyd (R) and Joe Polimeni in the UPI darkroom at the Piston Championship
Chris Boyd (R) and Joe Polimeni in the UPI darkroom at the Piston Championship
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