Neal Ulevich
Encyclopedia
Neal Hirsh Ulevich is an American photographer, and winner of a Pulitzer Prize
.
, first as a campus correspondent, later as part time staff. He developed a strong interest in China
while a student, a fascination which determined the direction of his career.
After graduation he worked for AP as a writer in St. Louis, Missouri
, before resigning to study Chinese language in Hong Kong
. In 1970 friends and associates in journalism urged him to travel to Indochina to witness the U.S. incursion into Cambodia
, assuring him the cross-border operation would herald “the last two weeks of the war.”
The advice was premature. Ulevich witnessed the last two weeks of the Indochina war in April, 1975. During the interim he freelanced as both writer and photojournalist and rejoined AP in the Saigon, Vietnam, bureau. He returned to UW on a National Endowment for the Humanities
fellowship in journalism, later resuming his AP work in Saigon. He covered the chaotic evacuation from Saigon at war’s end, departing by helicopter from the roof of the U.S. embassy.
An AP assignment to Bangkok
followed. A worsening political situation in 1976 culminated in violent confrontation at Thammasat University
in the Thai capital. He made images which won the 1977 Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography.
After Thailand Ulevich worked for AP as Asia Photo Editor in Tokyo
and as photojournalist in Beijing
. He returned to Tokyo in 1988 to supervise AP’s electronic communications for Asia.
He returned to the United States in 1990. Ulevich retired from AP to resume freelance photography in 2002. He currently lives in Thornton, Colorado
, a suburb of Denver.
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
.
Life
A native of Milwaukee, Ulevich attended public and private schools before enrolling at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he graduated in 1968 with a BA degree in Journalism. While at UW he began a career-long association with Associated PressAssociated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
, first as a campus correspondent, later as part time staff. He developed a strong interest in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
while a student, a fascination which determined the direction of his career.
After graduation he worked for AP as a writer in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, before resigning to study Chinese language in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. In 1970 friends and associates in journalism urged him to travel to Indochina to witness the U.S. incursion into Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, assuring him the cross-border operation would herald “the last two weeks of the war.”
The advice was premature. Ulevich witnessed the last two weeks of the Indochina war in April, 1975. During the interim he freelanced as both writer and photojournalist and rejoined AP in the Saigon, Vietnam, bureau. He returned to UW on a National Endowment for the Humanities
National Endowment for the Humanities
The National Endowment for the Humanities is an independent federal agency of the United States established by the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. The NEH is located at...
fellowship in journalism, later resuming his AP work in Saigon. He covered the chaotic evacuation from Saigon at war’s end, departing by helicopter from the roof of the U.S. embassy.
An AP assignment to Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
followed. A worsening political situation in 1976 culminated in violent confrontation at Thammasat University
Thammasat University
Thammasat University , or in brief TU , is Thailand's second oldest university. Officially established on 27 June 1934, the university was originally named by founder Pridi Banomyong, University of Moral Science and Politics , reflecting the political fervor of the time...
in the Thai capital. He made images which won the 1977 Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography.
After Thailand Ulevich worked for AP as Asia Photo Editor in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
and as photojournalist in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
. He returned to Tokyo in 1988 to supervise AP’s electronic communications for Asia.
He returned to the United States in 1990. Ulevich retired from AP to resume freelance photography in 2002. He currently lives in Thornton, Colorado
Thornton, Colorado
The city of Thornton is a Home Rule Municipality in Adams and Weld counties in the U.S. state of Colorado and a suburb of the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area. Thornton is northeast of the state's capital, Denver. The United States Census Bureau that the city population...
, a suburb of Denver.
Awards
- 1985 World Press PhotoWorld Press PhotoWorld Press Photo is an independent, non-profit organization based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Founded in 1955 the organization is known for holding the world's largest and most prestigious annual press photography contest....
, 3rd Prize, Arts and Entertainment - 1977 Pulitzer Prize for Spot News PhotographyPulitzer Prize for Spot News PhotographyThe Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography was awarded from 1968 – 1999, thereafter being renamed as the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography.-List of winners:...
- 1976 World Press Photo, 3rd Prize, Spot News