Images of Salem Photojournalist Gerry Lewin featured in photo exhibit at the Willamette Heritage Center.
Monday, May 1 – Saturday, June 24, 2017
Gerry Lewin. WHC Al Jones Collection, 2007.001.0436.
Gerry Lewin started his 35-year career in Salem’s newspaper scene in 1962, as a photo engraver at Salem’s afternoon paper, the Capital Journal. His work as an engraver included half hour periods in which he had to wait for the machine to process the photographers. He made good use of the time, popping out to take quick photo assignments and getting back in time to start the next batch of photos. His talent, developed through his commercial photography work in his native Germany, Switzerland and Portland, was quickly recognized and he was promoted to chief photographer in 1966.  With his boundless energy, Lewin documented the notable and the mundane and his work can truly be read as a unique and valuable visual history of the Mid-Willamette Valley.
Watch an oral history interview with Gerry Lewin featured in this past exhibit here:
I had the great privilege of meeting and going for a ride around with him and his partner. he also accepted my invitation to speak to our school paper class.
Most folks would never know Gerry was anywhere around, until the picture showed up in the paper the next day. He was silent, quick, and invisible. During my times as firefighter and Deputy, we would be on a scene and he was always in and around the scene yet no one really saw him. He is a great photographer and as I grew up, a role model in my photography. His stories are so enthralling and the things this man as seen-wow. All over Europe and his Vatican pics are great. They loved him and his style. He was invited several times to the Vatican to take photos. He always got the pics that no one else was able to get-from the OSP prison riots, to everyday events. He is truly a committed professional the likes of which many people will never achieve or understand. The exhibit is worth the visit! I’m proud to be his nephew.