Ray B. is Camera Crazy

It’s so easy to watch an intriguing piece from the comfort of your living without taking a moment to think about who was there. What was that experience like for them? What did the adventure entail? What did they risk? Ray Bribiesca, aka Ray B, is know throughout the media community as an extraordinary cameraman who risks it all so his audience can connect with the story.

Photo: Ray Bribiesca of "60 Minutes" sharing
his experiences as a combat photojournalist
with Gaylord students.
Photo by: Sadie Short

            During his recent visit to the University of Oklahoma, Ray B, a renound photojournalist for 60 Minutes for over 3 decades, told of one of his latest adventure where he risked his most precious possession of all – his life. Ray told the story of his trip to document the war in Afghanistan, and spoke about him putting himself directly in the line of enemy fire to get the shot. "You don't think, you don't; you just react" said Ray. Those ‘reactions’ have resulted in many shots that he, himself, calls crazy. Ray B stated that if his friends and family would be shocked at what he captured, it was in fact, a ‘crazy shot’.

            Perhaps his experience during the Vietnam War or his time spent as a marine has assisted him in being so brave to tell a story. It is likely that at some point during his life, Ray B, has found himself in a similar situation to the one he is shooting at any given time. He has obviously applied his life skills and his dedication into his life’s work and it has proved to be successful.

            Ray B has proved to be very talented in his line of work because he is willing to go the distance other photojournalist are scared of. Not only is he an amazing cameraman, he is also incredibly dynamic. After Ray B showed several of the pieces that he has worked on over the years, it was easy to conclude that his talented is diverse. He is a rare photojournalist who can capture anything and his audience will feel apart of it. His work is memorable.

            His biggest passion? Ray enjoys shooting nature. He looks forward to a yearly trip to Alaska to capture the migration of caribou. Even his nature shots and documents are easy to feel connected to. His work has a quality. You can feel his devotion and his dedication. Whether his is being wounded, shot, taken hostage, or being nearly attacked by a bear, the work of Ray B is an expression of his love for his craft. 

Ray's next story will be his last for 60 Minutes, because he will be retiring. Ray and Lara Logan will be traveling to Yemen. Just like most stories, this will be one that is very dangerous and Ray is going all out, last story or not. "At 60 Minutes your next story has to be better than your last, and your next one has to be even better."