Professor Komenich Mentored Photojournalist Jessica Lifland

THE GUARDSMAN (CITY COLLEGE OF SAN FRANCISCO) -- At the opening, Journalism Chair Juan Gonzales introduced Lifland as a key instructor for the program, and introduced special guest Kim Komenich, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, professor at San Francisco State and longtime mentor to Lifland. “The spirit of the event was so high — a spirit of camaraderie and of family coming together,” Gonzales said. Komenich has mentored Lifland for many years in their shared pursuit of international photojournalism work. He won a Pulitzer Prize in 1987 for images covering the Philippine Revolution, and shared lessons from his career in The Guardsman newsroom during the gallery opening. Komenich referred to the display of Lifland’s images as “life itself, brought to us through the eyes of one concerned photographer.” “A camera is a tool for being a witness,” Komenich said. “It’s about concern and empathy — about showing the plight of one person to someone who might be able to help.”