Renowned photojournalist Bill Brett met with Somerville locals and signed a few books at the Foundry last week. – Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

Somerville was visited by a keystone of Boston photojournalism last Wednesday, February 8, when photojournalist Bill Brett, 40 year veteran of the Boston Globe, came by the Foundry in Davis Square. While ostensibly promoting his new book, Inspirational Women, Brett used the event, sponsored by the Somerville Arts Council, to meet some of his adoring public and share some of his experience and technique.

In an age when the camera has been reduced to a component on a phone, which most carry around in their pocket, Brett said that the chief difference between he and the public at large is “they take pictures, I make pictures.”

“I make pictures that people are going to remember. I try to think about every picture I make, and I try to frame it to tell a story,” said Brett.

In this newest book, featuring such famous personalities as actress Eliza Dushku, celebrity chef Rachel Ray, and recently deceased philanthropist Myra Kraft, Brett extols the virtues of traditional photography. While half of the book was shot by his daughter, Kerry, Brett says the chief difference between their two styles was his desire to see subjects shot in their own surroundings, instead of bringing them into a studio.

He also praised the virtues of traditional black and white photography. “I like to do black and white because black and white is iconic, it’s timeless and it hides a lot,” he said, feeling that the blemishes of age quickly melted away from the image using black and white.

One member of the group who was elated to see Brett was Somerville’s own director of Strategic Planning and Community Development, Mike Glavin. “Bill has always shown in his work that he understands people,” said Glavin. “He captures them at moments that are very personal and he’s allowed us to share more of their stories as individuals.”

Brett also remarked on Somerville, a city he has covered for 40 years, as being a dynamic and shifting place. “Every time I come through Somerville, I feel like I’m driving through a whole new city,” he said. “It’s a place you can get lost in.”

Brett was invited to Somerville at the behest of Mayor Joseph Curtatone, who met Brett on the set of the Emily Rooney show, where Brett was photographing Rooney for part of his book.