Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2013/02/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Ted, Thanks for your e-mail which put a few things into perspective for me. My glass is half full, not half empty or more. Looking back to 2000 when I made up my mind to become a photographer for the Navy, no one said it could be done because I was in an undermanned specialty and I had a few unique qualifications that the community wanted to keep. I began putting in requests to become a photographer in 2000, partially out of spite, partially out of desire to really do this. My third request was granted and then I was off onto the rest of my life. Come 2005 when I left the Navy, started applying for jobs everywhere, even working for Stars and Stripes right back where I had been, in Iraq. Since then, I've "given up" once every few years. Maybe that is more like a reset button during a time of funk where I was just sick of the hustle. I have sold all my gear (except my dear M4 and my DR Summicron) several times over. Last year I was going to become a paramedic but decided that it wouldn't be good for my psyche since I tend to take work home with me. Then I was working the temp job in New Mexico and got inspired again, this time by the abject poverty I saw in South Dakota on the Sioux reservation. The faces of the children there were almost the exact same faces of the children I saw in Iraq and I was stunned that such conditions exist here in "the richest country on earth." I shouldn't have been but seeing things first hand is different than reading about dire conditions. So I keep winding up at this same place after a few months with the old Leica, back to being stubborn enough to only do one thing that I want to do most in life. And to be consumed by it during this time when I pretty much know that work is going to be slim but I'm more stubborn than most. If I were to really quit I would have done it a long time ago. I think you saw this but I didn't. Many thanks to you Ted and to all the LUG community. (And this comes only very shortly before my first good paying day-rate photo job with a network here in the Hudson valley.) Sincerest regards to all, Phil Forrest On Wed, 13 Feb 2013 13:38:04 -0800 <tedgrant at shaw.ca> wrote: > Phil Forrest TOLD US: > Subject: Re: [Leica] Slightly OT > > Hi Phil, > I'm not going to repeat your post. But I am going to give you great > praise for baring your life and the fortitude of still fighting for > what you believe in and want to do! LETTING IT ALL HANG OUT? That > takes guts to continue trying for the job of your heart....... never > easy, even when times are good. > > Unfortunately it's always easy to second guess later in life what > seemed to be the best choice at the time earlier. > > Like who in the photographic world would've considered or even > thought it possible "photojournalism" and other factors of > photography would be in the "RAT'S NEST MESS" it is today compared to > only a few years ago? > > It's even more admirable of you, a veteran of your military > forces......... "Still having to fight for a job after hanging ones > life on the wire in the name of your country." Yes job wise is tough > all over regardless of ones background. But I've always felt those > who put their lives at risk in the name of their country should get > first shot for the opportunity to get a job. > > Not sure what the answer is to correct your situation as I don't > believe there's an easy fix! > > But as hard as you've told us what life has been. Obviously you have > the heart, mind and soul to stay the course and fight the good fight > to win! My gut feeling? You will! No it's still not going to be a > cake walk in the park! But you the person writing your post isn't a > quitter and I'd put money on you kicking ass and coming out a winner. > Nope, still not going to be an easy task. But within your words and > explanations of the past, underneath it all is a winner. > > Lot's of folks in the crew are cheering and saying a prayer on your > behalf. You maynot see us but we are here giving support as much as > we can. > > Good on you lad for hanging tough and fighting on. You will win! > Simply because I don't see a quitter in your words no matter how > tough a time you're having. > > All the best. > cheers, > Dr. ted > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information -- http://philipforrestphoto.wordpress.com/ http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/philforrest