Monday, April 9, 2012

No Sunday blues on a Monday night

We got back to the marina around noon today.  I washed up the boat, went to a diesel place to get a new fuel pump, and came home to take a 2 hour nap. It doesn't seem like a Monday at all.  I used to get those Sunday evening blues when I knew that Monday was coming.

I wanted the weekend to continue because it was the time that I could get things done that I really enjoyed.  Now, when I look back on my working days, I wonder at how short the time was between Friday evening and Sunday night.  It doesn't seem like enough time to recharge before going back to work.  I'm often amazed at all the multi-tasking I did when I was still working full time.  And I'm still multi-tasking, heaping more things to do on my plate, but I have to say that I am greatly enjoying just about everything that I do now.  

One of the new projects that I am thinking about doing is to photograph those who are down and out in this town.  I was inspired to read what Chris Arnade did in his photo documentation of the Faces of Addiction.  I have talked to a fellow I know who works at the city homeless shelter and am going to write a proposal to do a project in which I photograph those who will agree and write about their story.  I'm not sure where this will be going other than to let the photos and their words tell their own story.  Perhaps it will be possible to do an exhibit at some point.  Right now, this is an idea that I feel compelled to explore.

I have also wanted to document the people of the Lowcountry Sea Islands and tell a bit of their story.  I see this as a vanishing culture in the South.  Development of the islands is happening at a rapid rate, so much so that many of the old ways will likely die out.  Once again, theirs is a story worth telling through photos and words.

In the midst of these ideas, comes an old nemesis:  Am I good enough to do this work?  I'm not professionally trained, but I know that I have a good eye. But is that enough?  There are so many talented photographers here.  Yet, I am going to forge ahead and see what comes of this idea.  I may not be the best, but I have a desire and determination.
 



19 comments:

  1. If you feel compelled to do something, it is the way to know you are supposed to do it. That's what I think. Yes! Do it!

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  2. forge on man...this is a very cool project...and its giving face to a people often forgotten...

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  3. I know Mr Arnade's work, and he has done an awesome job of letting the pictures and the subjects tell their own story.

    I found I could only look at the images in short doses..they are truly wrenching.

    An exciting idea..this is the time in life to explore all possibilities!

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  4. much, perhaps too much, is expected of one to be an employee... best wishes to you in your new endeavors.

    Aloha from Honolulu
    Comfort Spiral

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  5. Intentions can set a good beginning.
    You seem to have alot of passion for photography this will take the project off to a good start.

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  6. A good eye, enough?
    No, but you have much more than that.
    Please do it!

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  7. "Am I good enough for this work?" How will you ever know if you don't try? The other thing that comes immediately to mind comes from Mr Sponsorpants who put up a great quote from Teddy Roosevelt "Comparison is the thief of Joy"

    The practice of the presence of Grace means that I do it because I'm compelled to, it's a personal experience between me and the God personal to me. I learn and experience beautiful things in the process of that realization...

    Right?

    Go for it!

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  8. There is a new Gullah Museum on the northern end of Hilton Head Island. They also do a Gullah tour. I was photographing a lot of the hidden cemetaries. There also is supposed to be a nice museum in Port Royal as well as the Discovery Museum on Hilton Head. You get a lot of information about local culture and history at these places. I also enjoy soaking up the atmosphere of the Low Country in small restarants. They would be great places to photograph. I'm heading down Saturday for a week. You inspired me to look at island life through a lens.

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  9. You know as the water levels rise the outer banks are going to be the first of the American land mass gone, I think it would be good to update the photography of the topography and the people who have lived and are being forced out by the condo's and hotels.

    The first project, I think you need to answer a couple of questions for yourself first and they have nothing to do with your talents and abilities...I would start with "What am I trying to purge from my being with this project?"

    I believe you have to be clear about your end game in order to be fair and honest with them you encounter as you photograph them. To do that you have to be honest with that part of yourself that is pushing you to do it.

    Oh yeah that Monday thing, yeah welcome to the wonders of retirement. before there was never enough time and now retired, it seems as if there is enough time but more to get done.

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  10. Desire and determination are half the battle. You will never know unless you try. Don't self-sabatoge. I think you should green light this idea of yours and just see what happens. I collect alot of photography books, many are similar to what you are talking about. The pictures often speak what words can't write. I think you will do quite well. Godspeed and good luck!

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  11. A good eye and a discerning compassionate heart. This sounds like a great idea to me, Syd.

    You know, as a writer, I spent years waiting for some kind of conferred approval, validation, permission to write fiction or submit to publishers. Now I just go ahead and take the risk, follow my heart.

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  12. Go for it Syd! My husband is not a trained photographer or painter He, like you, had a good eye and a passion for both. When he retired, he put his time into it and now he has websites, art and photography shows and is selling his work.

    He is so lucky he listened to his what his heart told him to do.

    Good luck and I know your photo exhibit will be very moving!

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  13. Mary LA said exactly what I was thinking - you have the compassion to do this job, along with the good eye. Both are vital.

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  14. We are what we think we are. Being willing is an imporant piece.

    Very exciting! I am looking forward to seeing how this adventure turns out for you. You will be amazing at capturing the visual piece of their story and then sharing their story in words!

    Glad you are listening to your HP. :)

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  15. "Professional training" can have the effect of training the student to see with the same eye as the teacher - thereby losing their own unique talent in the process.
    Took me many years to let go of the limitations put upon me by other people, and forge ahead with my dream. Live your dream, Syd.

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  16. Well, I am new to this site, b ut will be following you onwards... for sure do your photography, its all done by learning on the job anyway and you will get better as you go along... you have a good eye, a writers heart, what more do you need apart from the camera!! Good luck, but that feeling of not being good enough must be stopped, you are as good as you wish to be, so its up to you and no one else... look forward to seeing the photos tho!!! hugs from across the pond..J

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  17. Syd I truly beleive you'll do very well with this project. Let your HO guide you, and trust in that and yourself. You'll be fine (NOT F.I.N.E. lol)

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  18. I already want to know the story of the tree bed photo.
    Many may not want their story told, but I suspect just as many of the overlooked would want an opportunity to simply say, "I am here".
    A result of some time in recovery is that I am able to divine the difference between good and destructive compulsion. Trusting the good is like being drawn by a magnet on my path. The reasoning isn't always clear at first. I would have missed many of the superlative moments in my life if I had not followed that pull.
    You are good enough as a photographer because we can see into your heart through your photos. I think that is the requirement for a project like this.

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  19. Syd, this is a wonderful idea. You are both a fantastic writer and photographer. I worked in journalism, and life stories were my favorite. You have nothing to worry about. Just do what is natural. Your "subjects" will love you and people can tell when their interviewer is genuinely interested in their story...they are flattered and open up.
    As far as technical, I'd definately get a mini recorder and if they'd allow you to video as well, you may consider that, if you feel you would later regret not having done that. Go for it, dude. Can't wait to see it.

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Let me know what you think. I like reading what you have to say.