Willem de Kooning, the Springs, East Hampton, NY, 1981

"I want to photograph you."

"How long will it take?"

"Not too long, thirty minutes to an hour. I could come back later if you prefer."

"Lets do it now."

Once inside, we chatted, and he showed me a small Cartier-Bresson photograph he owned. When I had my camera set up, he asked me what I wanted him to do.

I said, "Please take your glasses off."

"None of the other photographers ever asked me to take my glasses off."

"I want you to. It will make the portrait stronger."