Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/12/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi Ted, I've no doubt about your love to photography, and it's a pleasure to verify the fact you still enjoy with it, with so many years of practice behind you. But, mon ami, how many Dr. Ted do you know? And how many hundreds of photographers, bored with weddings or social events? You're a privileged, Ted, and I'm glad for you. I'm too, in my activity as graphic designer (which I try it never becomes a job), and as amateur photographer. But I'm very conscious I'm very lucky. Amiti?s, Marc -----Mensaje original----- De: lug-bounces+foto=marcdufour.net en leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+foto=marcdufour.net en leica-users.org] En nombre de tedgrant en shaw.ca Enviado el: lunes, 06 de diciembre de 2010 5:12 Para: Leica Users Group Asunto: Re: [Leica] Making a living as a photographer Marc Dufour offered: Subject: Re: [Leica] Making a living as a photographer >>> When I take my camera, it's just to enjoy photography. Pure pleasure. > And, sometimes, I even can use the result in my job as a graphic > designer;-) > When something you love turns into a job, it stops being fun after a > while, > for a vast majority, in most professions. It's true you can expect some > satisfaction, time to time. But only a few privileged pros can say > otherwise.<<< Hi Marc, It is a very rare occasion I do not have a camera wherever I'm going simply because, one never knows what joy they might miss if they do not have it. The terminology by some folks that photography is work is beyond my comprehension, it's never been work! "WORK IS MOVING CONCRETE BLOCKS!" How others see their photography as work has never ever been in my vocabulary or thoughts. WHY? Well in my case, I don't care what others may think or say... "My photography involvement is a calling since I was a child! I always wanted to have a camera and have had them in hand or near by since May 27 1950 when my wife gave me the first, an Argus A2 35mm sort of point & shoot for my birthday. Yes I still have it! In that moment it launched me into an extremely enjoyable life as a photographer, that I've never looked back on a 60 year life being paid to travel to many parts of the world, good, bad and ugly! Assignments so interesting and exciting right out of Hollywood! It sure as hell has never been boring, physically tiring? Of course, but never boring! Mine has never been a turn it on at 9 a.m. and off at 5 p.m.! The ability to see and shoot is always there ready at the blink of an eye! I put time in as a news-photographer at the beginning of the career, but even then I never wanted the days to end nor places to go. Eventually teamed with a couple of extremely fine shooters as partners for 5 years. Then I decided I wanted to go my own way as one of the partners was a stop at Friday noon and return noon Monday. Meanwhile I'm off generating the greatest part of the companies income. So started my own company and never looked back! Today I'm just as wired as my younger days! If anything, I absolutely abhor this aging crap that robs the physical aspect of the body, but never deters the emotional involvement of looking through a camera at new things and places! And being involved in any project, whether assigned or the new medical book project. Hell why not, I'm only in the 82nd year so one should keep busy for the joy of it or you die! I don't intend on doing that for sometime yet as there are still many places to photograph and people to meet! ;-) I know several very good photographers who've voiced they can't wait to quit and retire from "their job at the newspaper!" Once again, in my time it has never been a "job." Whenever I'm camera to eye I'm the happiest camper in the land. I'm sure those LUG members who purchased the documentary film DVD about my career produced by the BRAVO TV network can attest this message comes through during the interviews and images shown on film. As scary as some assignments have been, I'd do them all over again just for the thrill of shooting and being involved in this crazy crazy life I love with great passion. Not sure if this means anything to some of you, however maybe you'll understand my passion about this wonderful profession! Damn I love it so!! cheers, ted > On 12/5/2010 6:06 PM, Marc Dufour wrote: >> When I take my camera, it's just to enjoy photography. Pure pleasure. >> And, sometimes, I even can use the result in my job as a graphic >> designer;-) >> When something you love turns into a job, it stops being fun after a >> while, >> for a vast majority, in most professions. It's true you can expect some >> satisfaction, time to time. But only a few privileged pros can say >> otherwise. >> An amateur has no more pressure than his own demand. >> The matter isn't about photography. >> It's about job or pleasure. >> Cheers, >> Marc >> > Amen. I could not have said it better. I would pay if necessary to enjoy > this avocation, especially since the advent of the internet and all the > insights and friends that result. On the rare occasion when someone > responds to one of my prints, I am happy to make one for them. I just ask > that they make a donation to a charity in an amount they think > appropriate. Once that resulted in a very substantial donation at a > charity auction, but as I somewhat recall whiskey was involved. > > Ken > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information