[Leica] Selling Prints

[socphoto at verizon.net (Socolow Carl)]

George,

Thanks for the perspective and the inspirational words. I've had five  
inquiries in the past week from students who want to do Summer  
internships with me; who love photography; who want to make a career  
of it; who have digital SLRs and like to take pictures. I don't know  
that anyone really grasps anymore the work, the training, the  
dedication, the education that goes into being a photographer; at  
least one who earns a living at it. I read on here about every new  
camera coming out, every new gewgaggle and lens and sensor and piece  
of software. And I become more convinced that the industry has been  
taken over by the corporations and the MBAs (no offense to those of  
you who are) and the Moore's Law people and the camera pushers. But  
how many people go to museums and galleries and become grounded in  
the visual vernacular that undergirds our culture? How many people  
look at oriental landscape scrolls to understand atmospherics? How  
many people study charcoal sketches to study form and learn that  
depictions of life can occur without a religious fervor for  
sharpness? At times I really think we're being suckered. And then,  
George, along comes a refreshing comment such as yours, that bespeaks  
a life of purpose and dedication, of learning and not being dependent  
upon a microprocessor but using your brain and talent and I have a  
sense of hope and belief that all is not lost.


Best regards,

Carl Socolow

www.carlsandersocolow.com



On Mar 9, 2010, at 9:52 PM, lug-request at leica-users.org wrote:
Message: 27
Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:51:45 -0600
From: George Lottermoser <imagist3 at mac.com>
Subject: Re: [Leica] Selling prints online and prices
To: Leica Users Group <lug at leica-users.org>
Message-ID: <92E34A48-CA8E-4EB1-9965-C1B004539629 at mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

Wow! You're giving up already?

Dreamers, who also do the leg work,
generally realize some level of "success;"
whatever that word may mean to you.

I've had some really good years (even a whole decade) in my career.
Maintaining momentum during the down weeks, months or years
is one of the many obstacles to overcome,
in the effort to develop a reputation in the market(s).
My comment re: profit from print sales is my reflection over 4.5 decades
of investing in darkrooms, computers, printers,
camera systems, employees, studios, etc.

I suspect a few on this list, like me,
have seen several sustained periods of success,
as well as lean times,
during their professional careers as photographers.

Markets (and reputations within them) ebb and flow;
as does our own tenacity to stay in the fight.

Giving up before you begin simply won't do.
Goes for anything you want to succeed at.

;~)

Regards,
George Lottermoser


Inventing the unknown calls for new forms.
   A. Rimbaud