Page 11 - Lightroom Magazine Issue 27

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After Jim and Kevin stopped gig-
gling, they explained what it was
and why it would be important.
I was then able to convince my
Publisher, the wonderful Nancy
Ruenzel, to include a gray card
in that first edition of the book
published back in March of 2003.
It’s been in every edition ever since,
including the one that went to press
just this month. There’s a tear-out
gray card in my Lightroom book,
too. Always has been. It’s there
because of Jim. That Photoshop
book was my biggest hit yet, and
it opened a new world of postprocessing for hundreds of thousands of photographers around the world (it’s been translated into dozens of different languages over the years), and I owe a lot of the thanks to Jim, and to Kevin, who graciously shared their insights and ideas, and without whom the book would never have reached the worldwide audience that it did. Jim did so many things like this, behind the scenes, to help our industry, to help his friends, to help his clients, and he had an impact on so many lives and careers—more than he would ever know, or take credit for.
Bestowing an honor well deserved
A couple of months ago I flew to Atlanta to see Jim, and to personally present him with a trophy he would have received in person in Orlando next spring, as he was to be inducted into the Photoshop Hall of Fame for his contributions to the art and education of Adobe Photo- shop. I wanted to present it to Jim now, in case he wasn’t feeling up to making the trip to Orlando. I also wanted to have the chance to let Jim know how much he meant to me, and how I’d never forget the things he’d done for me, my business, and my family. I reminded him of the stories I just shared here with you. Jim was so humble and so gracious, and while of course he remembered all those
Jim’s column from the September 2010 issue of Photoshop User magazine
occasions, from our first meeting, to teaching me studio lighting, to the book ideas, his column in Photoshop User magazine, and the Photoshop World conferences all these years, he wouldn’t take credit for any of it. He didn’t see it as the big deal it really was. He was just such a humble, down-to-earth person. Sharing like he did, helping and teaching other people—that’s just who Jim was.
Jim will never know how many people he inspired, informed, and helped along the way, and the seeds that were planted through his work will continue to grow for many years. He leaves behind a legacy to be admired, celebrated, and imitated. I will miss Jim, and I know so many of you who looked up to him and thought the world of him, as I did, will miss him, too.
When his wonderful wife Helene takes the stage in Orlando next spring to formally accept the Photoshop Hall of Fame award on Jim’s behalf, I know that hall will be filled with people who have been touched by Jim’s work, his teaching, and his heart for sharing what he had learned over the years with an industry that meant so much to him.
I consider it a great blessing to have known Jim, and it has been an honor to call him my friend. Our industry and our lives are better because he was in it.
Jim, I shall never forget you. None of us will. n
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