Around noon Friday, the legendary photographer George Forss launched his first Kickstarter Project, “The Way We Were,” he is seeking to raise $8,200 to publish a book of his photographs taken before 911, photographs praised by Ansel Adams, Henry Cartier-Bresson, Gordon Parks and Alfred Eisenstadt  (“Great photographs of New York,” said Eisenstadt, “the man can see.”) He can, and does.

His project is taking off. By four p.m., George had raised more than $5,000 and seven people have pledged to purchase one of his silver gelatin prints from the book for $500. Only three chances left (I bought one). George is offering rewards and incentives for $10, $50, $100 and $500. Almost anyone can contribute something if they wish.

George embodies the idea that true genius will emerge despite the greatest odds, something Gordon Parks said of George’s work. If you can, please help George to reach his goal of publishing the wonderful photographs he took of New York before 911, he so brilliantly captured that majestic city in that place and time. Anyone with an Amazon username and password can pledge instantly, no money will be transferred until the project funding expires in 29 days. If George does not reach the full amount, he will get none of the money, but he can go over.

He deliberately set the figure on the low end, he is simply too modest to ask for more, but he could surely use more and put it to good use. You can check it out here. Those three remaining silver gelatin prints are one of the greatest bargains in the arts, few people can still print using that process. Ansel Adams did.