Seeking to locate a photo of a gorilla

[Digital]

I can verify this story because I participated in it.
In 1995 I was attending a class at the Winona School of Photography run by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). In April of that year, our class was asked to photograph various sites around the Atlanta area. The selected photographs would be placed on a CD to send to journalists to advertise the 1996 Olympics.
The request was made to PPA by The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
I believe our class was divided into 3 groups for this photo shoot, As luck would have it our instructor selected (what he considered) to be the best locations to photograph. Since he had a Nikon, and at that time I had a good selection of Nikkor lens, he wanted me in his group. We went to the Atlanta (Hartsfield) airport, the construction site of the Olympic stadium (incidentally, after the Olympics were over this stadium after some modifications became Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves - I believe that the 2016 season is the last in this stadium). We also went to the Atlanta Zoo. This is where the fun begins. I noticed this gorilla sitting on a log (if my memory serves me correctly). I had a Nikon F4 with a 80-200 f/2.8 zoom lens attached. At first this particular gorilla was not looking at me, so I waited until he turned towards me before taking the photo.
At the time I thought I had taken a picture of any old gorilla. Found out later that the gorilla (now deceased) was Willie B. This gorilla was named after the former mayor of Atlanta whose tenure was during the Civil Rights era. This particular gorilla was apparently a very famous gorilla in the Atlanta area.
After I returned home (Louisville, Ky.) I received a phone call from PPA informing me that my photo of Willie B. was one of the photographs to be placed on the CD, and that I would receive a complimentary copy of the CD via mail. I received the copy of the CD in October, 1995.
This is where I got really stupid. I placed the CD in my desk drawer, and practically forget about it. In my feeble defense I did not own a computer at the time. This was the era of film- what did I need a computer for.
In early 2000 I moved to Carrollton. About a year later my desk (with the CD) joined me. In 2004 I purchased my first computer. Shortly thereafter, I attempted to view my "gorilla" photo on my computer. The computer could not read it. Back in the desk drawer the CD went.
Shortly before I moved to Carrollton I had sold all my film cameras, tripods, studio lights etc. I owned a little Nikon point and shoot, and that was it. It was not until November, 2007 that I purchased my first DSLR.
Recently, I was constructing a website, and decided that the pic of "the gorilla" would be a nice photo to add.
I called PPA. They related that I owned the copyright to the photo so in their opinion I could do whatever I wanted with it. I then had a friend of mine who owns a photo lab attempt to read the CD. Turns out that it was in a .pcd format which was the format back in 1995. He was able to convert the files to jpeg; however they had copyright symbols all over them. I then contacted the Atlanta based stock company that was being used at that time as a go-between between the photographer, and whoever wanted to purchase a particular photo on the CD. I got a recording of a lovely young lady who was asking me all sorts of questions that had nothing to do with stock photography. I hung up.
My last stop was the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. I talked to a gentlemen via phone who seemed very interested in my "seeking to locate a photo of a gorilla." Several weeks ago I, at his request, emailed him the details of which you have so patiently read. As of this date, I have not heard from him.
The story will conclude with some kind of ending - hopefully a happy one.
Thanks for reading.


Bruce

[IzzieK]

Well...I can only wish you the best of luck. I hope you got that happy news you were looking for...or go back to the zoo to do a reshoot of another gorilla...

[Digital]

Well...I can only wish you the best of luck. I hope you got that happy news you were looking for...or go back to the zoo to do a reshoot of another gorilla...

Izzie, thanks for commenting. I am afraid that my days of taking pics of gorillas are over. People are much more interesting.


Bruce

[Digital]

Have an update on "seeking to locate a photo of a gorilla". Since it has been several weeks since I sent an email to the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, I contacted them via phone this date. Unfortunately the person who was my contact could not locate anything related to the shoot. He seemed surprised that he was unable to locate anything.
So, I immediately contacted the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). Spoke to a very nice lady. As a result of our conversation, I sent her email giving the particulars of the case. She related that my email would be forwarded to the appropriate person.
In essence, I am back where I started.

Bruce

[IzzieK]

Hopefully the other story about that building with the Coke Advert at the side of it will suffer the same fate?

[Digital]

Hopefully the other story about that building with the Coke Advert at the side of it will suffer the same fate?

Izzie, ?


Bruce

[IzzieK]

Izzie, ?


Bruce

Opps sorry, for the NOT...
Corrected version: Hopefully the other story about that building with the Coke Advert at the side of it will NOT suffer the same fate? You'll be fine...I will pray for you.

[dennybeall]

MR. Google says there are about a zillion pictures of Willie B. available. Would you be able to pick yours out?

[Digital]

MR. Google says there are about a zillion pictures of Willie B. available. Would you be able to pick yours out?

Denny, thank you for the suggestion; however I think I will await word from PPA. If that fails, I will probably forget about it.
After all it has been 21 years since that photo was taken.

Bruce

[Digital]

Found out a few weeks ago that PPA was unable to assist me in obtaining the photo of Willie B., the gorilla. I believe I have run out of options.


Bruce

[IzzieK]

Found out a few weeks ago that PPA was unable to assist me in obtaining the photo of Willie B., the gorilla. I believe I have run out of options.


Bruce

I am sorry...but the good thing is you had persevere...at least you put it out there...when the time is right, the answer will just pop up ... we fall down, we got up and dust yourself off and move on...