David has written on a variety of topics for Atlantic Monthly, the New York Times, Worth, Mademoiselle, Outside, and other publications. He is the former editor in chief of American Photo magazine, where he worked with and published the imagery of Richard Avedon, Annie Leibovitz, James Nachtwey, and many other photographers. Originally from California, where he grew up on a wheat and alfalfa ranch, David attended the University of California at Berkeley and began his journalism career writing for the Chicago Reader. He later became articles editor of Chicago magazine and managing editor of Outside magazine. He lives in Larchmont, New York, and is based there as well as California.

Get the latest exhibition and photo news at La Lettre de la Photographie (http://lalettredelaphotographie.com/) and look for my weekly review of images from the American media every Friday.

At midnight on Tuesday, September 20, the United States military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy came to an end—meaning that openly gay men and lesbians can no longer be prevented from serving. Here, two women, both on active duty in the Navy, danced in a San Diego club moments after new rules took effect. I chose this remarkable photo, taken by Gregory Bull/AP, for it romance. Once upon a time you wouldn't have seen a news picture like this--or one shot in such low light. I found it here: http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/20/pictures-of-the-day-california-and-elsewhere/