InterFoto is the largest festival of professional photography in Russia, the Baltic States and CIS countries. In October 2004 it will celebrate its Tenth Anniversary by staging more then a dozen exhibitions and events in Moscow's Central House of Artists. We are expecting almost 18,000 participants to take part in an ambitious six-day program of exhibitions, master classes by world-famous photographers, portfolio reviews, panel discussions and presentations of the latest photography equipment.

The festival will be held at the famous Central House for Artists in Moscow and will run from October 13 through the 17th this year.

Reuters reports that Richard Avedon, 81, the famous fashion photographer, has suffered a stroke.

Avedon's photos, usually intimate, intense studies against a white backdrop, are often powerful statements of a person's persona. Among his most famous photos are portraits of Andy Warhol, Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, the Duchess of Windsor and Truman Capote.

By some strange coincidence, I have sitting at home a documentary on Richard Avedon produced by PBS for their American Masters series. Also, here is Photo District News' gallery of Avedon's work from the 1960s. On my shopping list is a book on Avedon's technique. There is no doubt in my mind that he is a genuine master of his art. He found himself at the right place and at the right time and he worked very hard.

Pray!