[Leica] Directions

[grduprey at mchsi.com (grduprey@mchsi.com)]

Tina,

I guess I would add to what Peter is saying...What do you enjoy doing, what 
makes you happy?

I have the same questions to answere in approximately 5 months, as I am 
retiring from the engineering world, and plan to explore the photographic 
arena, and the above is at the top of the list of the same questions.

Gene

-------------- Original message from Peter Klein <pklein@2alpha.net>: 
-------------- 


> Tina: 
> 
> I'm going to answer your questions with more questions: 
> 
> * What is the purpose of your photography? 
> 
> * Are there some common threads in your photographs, themes that keep 
> popping up? Do you know what they are? Do you know why you are drawn to 
> them? 
> 
> * If you had to stop shooting tomorrow, what would you be most proud of, 
> and what would you regret most not doing? 
> 
> * Do you have to make X dollars per year from your photography? Who says? 
> 
> * What do you like most about your photographic life so far? What do you 
> dislike the most? Is there a way to do mostly the former and less of the 
> latter? 
> 
> * Suppose there was no choice #3, (muddle along alternating between new 
> pictures/stock/travel and working with your negatives). You have to choose 
> between #1 and #2. Would either make you happier? Or would either make 
> you miserable? Why? Now, put choice #3 back in the picture again. Do you 
> feel incredibly relieved? That tells you something. 
> 
> You don't have to answer any of these questions here, but answer them for 
> yourself. It might tell you what you want. Write it down, it helps. 
> 
> Remember, artists and engineers operate from a completely different 
> basis. Your husband may want everything to make sense. You know it 
> doesn't. :-) The fun and beauty is in exploring how and why it doesn't 
> always make sense. Your photographic business may be simply an excuse for 
> you to be able to photograph, for you. Your husband may want to 
> "straighten things out," make it more orderly, more profitable. I suspect 
> it will always drive him a little crazy. He'll probably enjoy it, if you 
> can get him to understand what it's really about. 
> 
> Personally, I think that you have a legacy of work showing the brotherhood 
> and sisterhood of humanity across cultures. That's what's always struck me 
> about your photos. It's not just pictures of poor or hungry people. It's 
> not been only about getting people to donate to this or that cause. It's 
> been about the beauty of being part of the human family. 
> 
> There's a book or two or three in that, and IMHO it would be a shame if 
> they didn't happen somehow. But will you be content to be a shut-in with 
> your negs? Maybe not. I think travel stimulates you. Maybe you need to 
> alternate by month or by season for a while and see how it feels. And at 
> some point you'll say to yourself, "You know, I'm tired of running around 
> so much," or, "While I can, I'm going to get out there and see new 
> things." 
> 
> Maybe you need to collaborate with an editor. He or she might see patterns 
> in your work that you don't, and that could be the basis of a book. Or 
> stimulate a related but fresh line of shooting. 
> 
> Hope this is helpful. 
> 
> -Peter 
> 
> 
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