Platon Instagram – john lewis. “I first met Rep. John Lewis in his office in Washington DC. It was a cold, dark January morning and we were planning a photo session. His voice was gentle, his face kind, his demeanor good-hearted. He reflected on his childhood and how raising chickens taught him a great deal about personal responsibility. ‘I would preach to the chickens and they would listen.’ He then whispered, ‘You know I’m the last one left.’ ‘The last what?’ I asked. ‘The last living speaker from the March on Washington.’ In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his epic I HAVE A DREAM speech and John Lewis spoke proudly by his side. ‘I loved and admired that man, he was my hero’ he said. It now seemed obvious – I had to persuade the congressman to brave the cold and to be photographed in front of the Lincoln Memorial where he once shaped American history. I nervously made the ask. He paused, ‘I’ll be there tomorrow at 8am, I’ll give you ten minutes.’ The next day I arrived at the memorial while it was still dark. I realized that the mighty columns would dwarf this humble man, so using perspective as a tool I found a quiet spot of frosted grass further away below the steps and set up my light and camera. He arrived just after sun up – today he was different – tough, ready for action, determined and committed. ‘Let’s do it,’ he said. I captured the man as a towering national monument. After five minutes I was done. I thanked him and as I escorted him back to his warm car he whispered, ‘I gave you ten minutes – you only took five – now I have five minutes spare to make a difference. Let’s hope I’m successful.’ John Lewis, rest in peace, I salute you.”