“I Shot Ray Charles,” a collection of photographs by Howard Morehead, is now on exhibit at the California African American Museum (CAAM).
Continuing through November 5, the exhibit consists of highly personal and rarely seen photographs from the collection of Morehead of his favorite subject Ray Charles.
In nearly half-a-century behind the lens, Morehead, one of the few African American photographers who worked steadily in the entertainment industry, shot everyone from jazz greats to political and cultural figures, as well as landscapes all over the world.
An essay Morehead wrote in 2000, “I Shot Ray Charles,” was the genesis for this exhibit. The 50 photographs show him alone and in recording sessions, at the peak of his career and near the end of his life.
Morehead was the first West Coast staff photographer for Johnson Publishing Company and the first African American hired as a staff cameraman for the television station KTLA. He also worked for Jet magazine, and spent 17 years as a cameraman for KABC-TV. He died in 2003,The California African American Museum, 600 State Drive in Exposition Park is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the first Sunday of the month for Target Sundays at CAAM. Admission to the museum is free with on-site parking available for $6.00 per vehicle. For information, call (213) 744.7432 or visit www.caamuseum.org.
