 Fighting the Big Fire, November 12, 1971 [Ron Cooper, SJ] August 17 & 24, 2017 Episodes Ron Cooper has been capturing the character of Salem and its environs for almost 50 years, first as a phototographer and photo engraver with the Oregon Statesman (now the Statesman Journal) newspaper, and now by his own creative will. |  Marion Hotel Fire, November 1971 [SJ-SPL] |
Ron with his Showcased Art Ron is a native Oregonian from the east side of the state, Ontario and later LaGrande. His first job after college proved to be rather hazardous, so he went looking for something else. He landed at the LaGrande Observer as their sports editor and photographer. Ron's photography skills are self-taught, garnered from reading books in the public libraries and on-the-job training "opportunities." He has learned something from every photographer with whom he has worked, and continues to push the edge on what his camera can do. He says he's having more fun than ever.
During his newspaper career, his fingers and hands were constantly stained from the chemicals used to develop the photographic film. All the developing and printing was done by hand, one negative at a time. Often his publication deadline called for the photo to be available as soon as possible, so he helped the process along manually. Special effects were achieved by manipulating the timing in the various chemical baths, again by hand.
[Ron Cooper, Statesman Journal, 1971] Being a newspaper in a relatively quiet town had its drawbacks. Salem didn't have a lot of "spot news" happening to fulfill the requirement for a major photograph for Page One. Typically, his editor would suggest the type of photo he was looking for, and Ron would head out to see if he could capture something worthy of the first page. He considered himself the "eyes of the community" and often brought back something he found interesting enough to share with the community. Some of those photographs have become quite iconic. Take the one to the right, a shot of the old Salem City Hall the night before its scheduled demolition in 1971. This photo was so popular that the newspaper sold more than 100 copies to the public--copies that were personally and individually produced by Ron. Ironically, however, Ron does not have a copy himself. We surprised him with this scanned version we found in the Newspaper.com archives.
Throughout the years of his career, the scope, mechanics, and art of photography changed significantly. From leaving a Trailblazers game before the end to ensure his photo was ready for the publishing deadline, to using the first of the new digital cameras, to the demand for online news content, Ron has experienced as much change in the business of photography as did his earliest inventive counterparts. He laughingly admits that he was sure that digital cameras would never overtake the SLR cameras because their photos were of such terrible quality--ha!
Ron's character-capturing photographs line the office walls of local health practitioners, hospitals, public buildings and institutions. The photographs that folks routinely use to identify the area and personality of Salem are most likely the work of Ron Cooper. Here are a few you are sure to recognize:
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In retirement, Ron continues to hone his craft and embrace the new technology available to modern photographers. He has become adept with image-editing software (no more chemical burns), and is excited when a new format allows him to capture a moment with a new perspective. His latest endeavors include the use of a photographic drone, allowing him freedom from physical location constraints and opening up amazing new photo opportunities.
 Peter Courtney Bridge & World Globe, Riverfront Park, 2017 |  Willamette River - Riverfront Park |
As an historian and researcher, I am indebted to Ron for his images which chronicle the changes in Salem over the years. As citizens of the region, we are indebted to Ron for reminding us of the amazingly beautiful area in which we are privileged to live and work. And as Salemites, we are indebted to Ron for capturing the unique facets of our character through the places and events that surround us. Keep pushing the edge, Ron.
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