Chris Hondros and Jamie Rector played pool against Evan Nisselson and myself during an after-awards party the night of the 2004 White House News Photographer Association banquet. ©Mike Davis Remember Chris Hondros. If you ever met Chris, the memory couldn't help but stay with you. He was that kind of person.
His death yesterday leaves a hollow feeling, a sadness that I'm afraid will linger a long while. I am so sorry for his loss and that of Tim Hetherington.
I first met Chris at Ohio University in 1999 and then again while judging a North Carolina Press Photographers competition in 2001. He returned home to do the judging, I dropped down from D.C. and Melissa Farlow joined us from Pittsburgh. We had some spirited discussions about which were the better images.
Our paths would cross now and then in the subsequent years. Each time was as if we had just said so long the day before.
So long, Chris.
Ohio University in 1999. ©Mike Davis