After a day of regret and sorrow, I have taken down yesterday’s blog. I have reread it a number of times and I felt it sounded bitter, insensitive and far too simplistic. In my 65 years of life I have found many people who have found comfort and great peace from their devout beliefs, and I only wish I could do the same. Perhaps my real problem is envy.
Anyway, I am so sorry if I failed to inspire and applaud life in all it’s great variety. Good luck. Happy Fourth of July.
Until next week.
I always enjoy your posts, and your last one was no exception…
Comment by chad — July 3, 2012 @ 9:39 am
Hello Rodney!
Although I was in the front row when you spoke here in Atlanta several years ago (at the Portfolio Center, which I attended), we didn’t officially meet, much to my chagrin. Didn’t want to appear to be yet another groupie, although I’ve enjoyed your work from afar for years. Even bought your “Hat” book earlier this year, which I had long admired.
Anyway, I wanted to express my appreciation for your candor in your blog posts. They aren’t yet another “I love me” or “See what I can do” expression that so many seem to fall into. For someone who has “made it” (whatever that is…), I know of very few professional photographers who are so unconcerned with sharing their thoughts, outside of Jay Maisel and Joe McNally.
I also appreciate the sharing of your business concerns/stories, as to me, this is the crux of the matter in professional photography. After a while, making an image, while stimulating, is not the great technical hurdle it used to be, while the business atmosphere is always in a state of flux.
Please keep up this dialog, as I have a feeling that it is probably more positively influential, and hits closer to home, than you might imagine.
My hat is off to you…
All Best,
John Slemp
Photographer
Comment by John Slemp — July 3, 2012 @ 10:13 am
I read part of your post before you decided to take it down. It was posted as a repost on another blog that I subscribe to. I for one didn’t consider it to be bitter or insensitive … perhaps a little simplistic, but still it was pithy and made me consider my own situation. I am about 10 years younger than you and have only been a ‘photographer’ for much less than you. About 7 years now and drifting for the most part uncertain of what my voice is or should be. I wish that I could come to you “free of constraints and restraints and are open” but that as you mentioned is a very difficult thing to be able to do since it is the constraints and restraints that have defined me for 56 years. Personally I don’t have any real external belief systems that bind me. Just those with which I shackle myself with, and that definitely is not a system that has all the answers, quite the contrary it leaves me with more questions and doubts than answers. Perhaps that is an advantage perhaps not regardless it does make it difficult to “truly want to make your own special pictures”. Please don’t hesitate to blog more posts like you did. They are genuine like your images. Never apologise for what you think. photograph, or write. Racist and libelist remarks excluded of course
Comment by Jim Dawson — July 3, 2012 @ 11:05 am
First, Happy 4th!
i lived for a time in Newport Beach, CA.
Happy Memories.
i wish i’d seen the blog you pulled, i am sure it was also good, as always! i was way too busy, exchanging e-mails and phone with my daughter and family, who have made me a grandfather again!
This weeks photo, really mysterious and dark. Luv it. People so dedicated to their “Art” form often have doubts..me all the time. The only reason i continue is the hope of a good photograph.
Celebrated Canada Day like a crazy ‘un!
Pride Parade, part 3 of my project, a 90th Birthday! Missed the Fireworks as i was chosen to go home and feed and walk the doggy, Delilah.
Comment by jason gold — July 4, 2012 @ 8:23 am
these words…
“…celebrate your uniqueness,
to find beauty in your specialness,
and to fight and have the courage
to find that life is more than following rules and saying I do.
True belief may be found in those who are defiant
and say, “maybe not.”
thank you!!
deb
Comment by deb schwedhelm — July 9, 2012 @ 2:53 am
Having stumbled upon this just now, it certainly generates a great deal of wonder at what was posted on July 2, 2012.
Comment by Matt — December 7, 2012 @ 3:51 pm