The "heroic" period. You know, all those photographers we admire so much. Eugene Atget, Robert Capa, Eugene Smith, Ansel Adams, Carlton Watkins, Timothy O'Sullivan, etc., etc.. . . It's a very long list. I don't see anyone taking their place in the pantheon. The professor, BTW, was at ICP, New York. Not a great photographer but a great teacher. He did have an MFA if that matters to you.