Whenever I left Eastern Kentucky University on January 23, 2004, to venture out with my own freelance business, I really didn't know if I could make it, especially with three small children at home. My Plan A was to wing it as long as I could, and work third shift at Walmart if I had to. About three weeks later on Valentines Day, a man named Stewart Bowman, whom I had only met in passing once before, ultimately changed my life forever. While the Louisville Courier-Journal had 15-20 staffers and freelancers in Louisville, they only had one staffer in Lexington who covered all of Central and Eastern Kentucky, and that was Stewart Bowman. Everything from Frankfort to Pikeville, and Covington to Williamsburg.

Back in those days, when newspapers were still relevant, the CJ had bureaus in Frankfort, Hazard, and Lexington. Stewart was photographing a story in Breathitt County on that fateful Valentines Day in 2004, and was involved a major car wreck that left him with two broken hips. The CJ quickly needed a fill-in and got my name from the Lexington Herald-Leader, and a great relationship between the two of us was born. I did a lot of work for the CJ, covering this part of the state for several years. The only time that I ever went to Louisville was for the Kentucky Derby, the rest of my time was spent crisscrossing Central and Eastern Kentucky.

My first Derby was in 2005, and when I got to the towering Courier-Journal office building on West Broadway early that Saturday morning, I was greeted by a man who was short in stature, but was a giant in the world of photography. He was wearing a ball cap that said two words, but those two words carried a lot of weight and a lot of history. It simply said, "40th Derby." My first Derby was Bill Luster's 40th. Let that perspective sink in for a minute.

Luster, as everyone called him, gave me my marching orders that morning, which were to cover the infield and then the first turn. Little did I know, that would be one of many assignments that I would receive from him, as he eventually became both a staff photographer as well as the assignment editor. In those early days of freelance, my three young, hungry kids depended on me getting a phone call from Luster several times a week. I never did go work at Walmart, and Luster was the reason why. Working for the CJ those early years enabled me to build my business, and eventually transition over to corporate and editorial work. 

Most people wouldn't understand the importance of what I'm getting ready to say, but as with anything, sometimes it's the nuances that matter most. On December 3, 2011, the North Carolina Tar Heels came into Rupp Arena to take on UK, who would eventually become national champions. The Wildcats were number one in the country, and the Tar Heels were ranked number five. I had the pleasure of being Luster's second shooter that day. He certainly didn't need me, because he could've covered it just fine on his own, but he invited me to shoot it with him.

Normally, the lead photographer will always have UK on offense, which would put them right next to the UK bench in the second half. And the pecking order at Rupp Arena goes Associated Press, Lexington Herald-Leader, and then the Louisville Courier-Journal, from the end, moving in toward the basket, which usually sat the CJ photog on the K in Kentucky. Much to his credit, as someone who loved to help up and coming photographers grow, mature, and simply develop confidence, Luster gave me the seat on top of the K for the entire game. He didn't make a big deal out of it, he just simply said, "Tim, you've got the bench end." The gravity of that was never lost on me. He had been there done that many, many, times. He knew it would mean more to me than it did him. It was a beautiful gesture.  

Unfortunately, Bill left this world on May 29th. He was not only a two-time Pulitzer Prize winning giant in the world of photography, he was also one heck of a giant as a person and a human being. Thank you Luster!!! I'm so glad that I got to work with you and know you.

God Speed.

-30-

PHOTO BY TIM WEBB Covering UK football September 2011.

during the Kentucky-North Carolina game at Rupp Arena.
(December 3, 2011) Underneath the bleachers at Rupp.

Photo by Tim Webb The Kentucky Derby 2014.

Louisville Courier-Journal photographer Bill Luster shoots his 41st Derby The Press Room at Churchill Downs 2006.

UK Photographer David Coyle shows some his work to Luster at a UK Football game in 2007.

Photo by Tim Webb Hardly.

during the Kentucky-North Carolina game at Rupp Arena.
(December 3, 2011)  

Marquis Teague celebrates as he brings the ball up court after UK defeated North Carolina 73-72, at Rupp Arena, December 3, 2011, and would go on to win the national championship. Luster is seen with his camera up, behind Teague's left foot.