I started out in this business, first and foremost, as a writer. It’s pretty much the only thing I ever really wanted to do with my life. But over the many years the other part of this calling that’s really become gratifying is the role of editor. I love, love, love working with other writers, especially the ones who I know are doing this for the utz (not the snacks; the feeling in your gut that you just can’t help it).
Chris Francescani is one of those writers who goes to the ends of the earth to get a story and it really shows in this gorgeous, honest piece about the work and plight of those (still) making a living fishing in Montauk. Chris really knows not only how to get all the particular and moving parts of the facts, but also how to weave his own compassionate heart into his pieces, too. It’s good stuff.
The bonus: Jeremy Garretson was right on the same page (and same utz) as Chris, wanting to tell the story of this brutal, often dangerous work visually. His photos — employing two different cameras to get the shots that he believed, and felt, were the right visuals here — opened my eyes to the way, when the stars align, a writer and photographer can really work together to create something special, if not meaningful. [SIDE NOTE: I also felt like this about Emily Toy’s story on Il Capuccino shot by the wonderful Doug Young, but she already picked that as a Top 10 and we’re not doing repeats — still that story gives me a similar satisfied feeling, and not just ’cause of the pasta and garlic knots.]
Read Chris’s story here.
