RE: [Leica] What do you do with your Images?

["Rodgers, David" <david.rodgers@xo.com>]

Mark

>>When someone says "do you take pictures Mark?" I don't' pull out my Leica
or my
Hasselblad I pull out this book.<<

Much truth to this. (For one thing, I've seen you do it and a fine book it
is). 

This is a great approach. Every photographer -- no matter what level,
professional or amateur, classic or digital, 35mm or MF or LF or all the
above -- should have a portfolio handy. Plus, they should be working to
improve it.  

Years ago I quit photography as a profession for one reason. I lost my
portfolio. I didn't really lose it. I did a stupid thing. I'd just returned
from some world travels. I got a call from a major agency that wanted was
very interested in me, but they had to make a quick decision. I sent my
originals -- hundreds of slides and tear sheets. Never saw it again. It's
like a good chunk of my life just dissappeared. I looked for work. Nobody
cared that I used (then) Nikon. They just wanted to see my work. 

For the first time in years I'm working on a new portfolio. I focused on
output. It's opened my eyes. I can see the good and the bad. I can see how
other people react -- negatively or positively. It's making me better. Even
though I'm just an amateur, and wish to remain so, I consider myself only as
good as my portfolio. Doesn't matter if I use Leica or something else. Well,
it does, but you know what I mean!

Dave