[Leica] SHUTTING DOWN! CLOSING THE SHOP. :-) MAYBE.

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (tedgrant at shaw.ca)]

George Lottermoser offered:
Subject: [Leica] NOW Stock Photography WAS DMR out there for sale?


> Back in the day
> One of the best stock agencies
> was called 4X5.
> All of their stock was
> as you may guess 4x5 Transparencies.
>
> I still have some of their catalogs
> actually printed on paper.
>
> talk about showing one's age.<<<<

Hi George,
"Showing ones age?" :-) That's better than "Getting old?" :-)  It sounds 
better when using "age or aging" as in a fine wine. :-) Or becoming of 
maturing nature, as in the maturing of fine single malt scotch! :-) ;-)

It only becomes the beginning of the end when you start clearing filing 
cabinets and equipment bits and pieces for the "GETTING OLD!" to set in and 
take it's toll. I have finally been convinced by family and friends to clean 
out all the filing cabinets of letters, invoices, files and brochures some 
go back 40-50 years.Old Leica promo stuff, Kodak film development how to's 
and media accreditations from long forgotten assignments about the world.

The memories flood through the mind as a torrent from a burst dam. The daily 
note books, lists of assignments, who to see, the "folks who could open 
doors" when required. Even some old plane tickets and boarding passes. 
Amazing what we collect as time moves along. "PHOTO" arm bands indicating a 
media photog, "PHOTO BIBS" you could  read from near a mile away.  Photos 
illustrating those wild and crazy times after the closing ceremonies of an 
Olympic event or similar major assignment.... Don't remember seeing so many 
semi-drunken photographers in my life! But dang it was always a fantastic 
time year after year.

Tear sheets from magazines, newspapers and design layouts for advertising. 
An amazing pile of  ... at this moment ... "of junk!" I'm sure we'll fill 
one of the big recycle trucks next week. :-) Obviously looking through the 
bits and pieces of letters, notes and wherever all this stuff came from 
...... "IT TRULY WAS A TIME TO LIVE !" And work as a 
photojournalist/commercial photographer. Just had to and still do, "LOVE IT 
WITH GREAT PASSION!" :-)

Oh I'm not going anywhere, not just yet. Me and the Great Spirit have a 
deal, simply because he has saved my butt from death and destruction so many 
times in the 60 year photo career, He's agreed to give me some more rope to 
make it to the even 100! Always think positive! So that means you folks will 
have to put up with me for at least another 18 years. :-) Obviously, if the 
Great Spirit keeps up his end of the deal? :-) I have no doubt he will!

Besides in January I've been assigned along with a writer to produce an 8 
week special feature series on some of the more magnificent homes and owners 
in our area. Not bad, don't have to leave home, no worry of stepping on 
IED's or being shot. :-)

Sorry must knock this off and get back to my cleaning chores. No one needs 
to quit as long as they can hold a camera. .... But far more important? 
......... still produce magical moment photographs.

We shall see? ;-)

cheers,
Dr. ted :-)