February 8, 2020, Pathum Thani, Thailand: Thousands of Buddhist devotees and monks gathered at the massive Wat Phra Dhammakaya Cetiya to take part in annual celebrations to mark the Maha Bucha holiday.
Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
September 14, 2021, Tainan, Taipei, Taiwan: Taiwanese soldiers are seen organizing grenade launchers and machine guns during an operation as part of the 37th edition of the Han Kuang military exercise. Training including risks assessment and monitoring of enemies have been conducted in the face of the intensifying threats from China, with the US offering arms sale to the self-ruled island.
Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
October 23, 2021, Athens, Greece: Prince Philippos of Greece and Nina Flohr married in Athens Cathedral.
Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
September 29, 2021, San Diego, California, USA: Doubles partners FILIP POLASEK (left) of Poland and JOHN PEERS of Australia discuss strategy while keeping the opposing team of Hubert Hurkacz of Poland and Marcelo Melo of Brazil from reading their lips. The two teams competed at the San Diego Open tennis tournament.
Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
October 5, 2021, New Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan: A military helicopter carrying a tremendous Taiwan flag conducts a flyby rehearsal ahead of the Double-tenth national day celebration, near Taipei 101, amid China’s growing military threats. China has been sending record number of warplanes to the ADIZ of the self ruled island, whilst Taiwan has been building better relations with the US, Australia, Japan, and other European countries including Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic.
The Guardian Print 6, October 2021
cott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
September 14, 2021, Tainan, Taipei, Taiwan: Taiwanese soldiers with machine guns on standby during an operation as part of the 37th edition of the Han Kuang military exercise, in the face of increasing military threats from China. There has been an increasing number of China PLA fighter jets sent by China to cruise around the island of Taiwan, with the US, Japan, and other European countries building better relations with Taiwan.
Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
September 28, 2021, Taoyuan, Taipei, Taiwan: A Chinook Helicopter carrying a tremendous Taiwan flag flies over a military camp, as part of a rehearsal for the flyby performance for Taiwan’s Double-Ten National Day Celebration, amid rising tensions between Beijing and Taipei and threats from China. The 18-meter wide and 12-meter long Taiwan flag, according to state media Central News Agency, will be carried by two CH-47 Chinook helicopters flag flying over the Presidential Building on October 10, whilst the island has been developing better ties with the US, UK, Australia, and other European countries such as Lithuania, Czech Republic and Poland.
Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
‘ZUMA fam think of jack today and remember, better to have known him.. we are lucky, for his was a bright light…
It’s a very sad day. We lost Jack Kurtz today. They say you can not loss unless you had something to loss… I was blessed to have a friend like Jack and we all were thru his gift of seeing and telling stories that needed to be seen! Thank you Jack:) Miss your big light and will look into the skies tonight to see your star!’ – fellow Visualist, Scott Mc Kiernan ZUMA Press Wire Service
From Jack’s widow Cathy Kurtz:
“The end… John, better known as JACK Kurtz: May 21, 1957 to October 19, 2021
Photographers know that the perfect picture may take time to develop. Patience for the right moment. Things can’t be rushed. The last couple weeks have felt like that, with the nurses convinced he was ready to go and he was ready but the perfect time was still to come. I sit in the recliner next to his bed, in the dark, late at night, holding his hand, I image the perfect words to wrap up a life. They aren’t coming. I will only mention that in our 40 years of life together, he was the trailblazer and always went on to a new place first, set things up and I came and joined him. We did it in Fergus Falls, Florida, New York, El Paso, Phoenix and Bangkok. Now he is going on first and I will join him in a few years.
7 I will just throw together some thoughts. We met at college and travelled the world. It was a great ride. He would say that while he worked with many great reporters, words get too much play and you should let the photos tell the story so here are his websites. His photographer buddies will know that he did more than just “F8 and be there” he gave his all on every story or assignment.
Our desire is for everyone to find one of his photo galleries and explore the world. Be challenged and inspired. GO TO ZUMA.press SEARCH Kurtz
Now, we could conclude with the famous AP -30- (journalists know this means the end) but it isn’t. His photos will continue to be marketed by ZUMA Press, his photo agency for the last 20+ years. One of Jack’s last acts was making arrangements for his ongoing royalties to be donated to help future international journalists. A firm believer in freedom of the press he will continue to support this with his royalties going to: Reporters without Borders: www.RSF.org
If you are so inspired, feel free to support the future in his honor: https://donate.rsf.org/us/donate/~my-donation. Make sure you look for the English translation button in upper right, unless you prefer French!
Sidebar to Jack’s story: Every day, week, month and year, millions of men, women, daughters and sons, sit beside loved ones during their last days, hours and minutes as they transition to the next life. In that respect I am nothing special. I was honored to be by his side in life during adventure for 40+ years and it was privilege to be with him as he had made the transition to the next. Life goes on, just in a different format. Thank you all for your continued love and I will post about a “Celebration of Jack’s life” online and in person in the future.
Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
zumapress #zreportage #photojournalism #acidattacks #photography
Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
ZUMAland.com 