Re: [Leica] Re: Didly-Squat Assignments

["Dave Myers" <myers@bluelake.org>]

Dear Ted,

I've been hanging around the LUG for a while now, and may I say that YOU
are an inspiration to many of us aspiring photographers.  Your comments are
thoughtful, down to earth, clever, to the point, and energizing.  So many
of us are so busy talking about taking photos or equipment or
what-have-you, that we don't seem to get around to getting out there and
taking pictures and experiencing life.  Thanks for sharing your insite.  
If I ever get into your neighborhood, I am likely to impose myself on your
hospitality.

Regards,
Dave



Ted Grant wrote...

> Many thanks for passing this on to the LUG, as any of us who are members
of
> photojournalism's bygone days will relate to that story very well. 
> 
> If ever I can say "been there done that" this is one of the times without
> even a blink I can honestly say it with all honesty. And including the
same
> great photographer, "Alfred Eisenstaedt". Only a different location, in
> Montreal, Canada.
> 
> The visit of Princess Margaret and although I thought it was a neat
> assignment I wasn't blown away as it seemed I was stuck in the back
ground
> all the time with the "not so regal photographers."  I thought to myself.
> "one of these days I'm going to be a LIFE photgrapher and I'll be right
up
> front with all the big name guys!" When all of a sudden here was "Esie"
> commenting about being in the back.
> 
> The problem was, there wasn't really a "big name" photo position up front
> it was every ones position where we were.  And here I was shooting beside
> Esie!  Hey what a lift!  I felt a challenge was on!:)
> 
> Of course my imaginary challenge to out shoot him was in my mind and to
> look in LIFE next edition about the Royal Tour and see if I did better
than
> he did. Well in my infintile mind I was out shooting him all the time, as
> it seemed I was camera up and blazing away and then I'd look back and he
> was still sitting there just looking! 
> 
> We passed pleasantries and he asked who I was shooting for and we had a
> fair old jaw session while waiting at various times while the Princess
did
> her thing, which interrupted my moment of glory sitting with this "GOD"
> photographer whom I worshipped. :)
> 
> I thought to myself , "he's not taken any pictures!" certinly none that I
> could see him in action.  I have him for sure, these guys aren't so great
> after all. :)
> 
> Well the next edition of LIFE appeared on the stands and I anxiously
> grabbed one so see how I had "beat Esie!" :)  Well for this quiet man
with
> his Leicas whom I was sure I had blown out of the water, I just sat there
> in awe of a couple of "Princessly moments!"  I never knew they even
> happened while I was looking at her in  action.
> 
> And I was just humbled with how he had picked a situation or two and
turned
> them into "master pieces of the moment."
> 
> This photographer was a "King" in his own right as he quietly took his
> pictures along side many of us and each time made us feel better and work
> harder to be "just like him!"
> 
> ted
> 
> 
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> 
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