Bruce Fraser

Odd how it works. I get a note from a friend a couple days ago asking if I have heard about Bruce Fraser and provided me with a link to a photoshopnews.com story. I read it and almost immediately started crying.

Now who is Bruce Fraser you might ask. He a world-famous author, trainer, lecturer. His specialty is Digital Imaging and Color Management.... the sheer number of folks he has interacted with is just amazing. He does a lot of work with concerning Adobe and their software and even has his name in the application credits.

I met Bruce (I called him Mister Fraser for years and he would tell me that when he would hear it he would look for his father) when I began working for ZD's MacUser Magazine. I was 20 years old and thought that because I used a Mac SE and a LaserWriter in highschool that I was a professional Desktop Publisher. Reality can be crushing.

For more than 5 years I would be paired up with Bruce on printers, scanners, graphic cards, color management systems and a whole lot more. Literally, the core of my digital imaging (and traditional press) knowledge that I have came from Bruce. I bullshit you not. It's what started me on my career at Radius, Shinko, Philips, Canon and HP.

The magic part of Bruce wasn't just his uncanny knowledge. Nope. It was his distinct style of teaching people tough, complicated subjects without making them feel stupid. He was like the color imaging rebel... he wanted things to be better, more consistent, easier to use with predictable results. He spoke what we felt in the industry.

So that is a little about Bruce in his professional life. But you see what makes me emotional about hearing about the condition that Bruce is in is because I knew him personally. Were we best buds? No. When was the last time I spoke to him? 3 maybe 4 years ago. How long have you known him? Over 15 years. Shit, he was at my wedding.

Then why the sadness ? Because he is a constant in my mind that will always be there. I can't imagine him not being around.
He is memorable: His kick-ass accent. His little sayings ('lurid & weird'), the way he used to play with his Billy Goat soul patch when talking. I think about the many good times I shared with him, and that is what makes me cry. I could never of had a better mentor.