….Friendships and a little more on getting started..
“There are wooden ships; there are sailing ships; there are ships that sail the sea. But the best ships are friendships—and may they always be.”
Former Canadian Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney’s eulogy for George HW Bush.
I debated at some length on whether or not to start this new project. After all, We are all just really too busy with Life, Aren’t we? Building and Maintaining my Photography Web Site can be a very time consuming affair. Especially with my self-taught ways! Add to that, Another Hosting Service to maintain and write, A Journal of sorts, A Blog….And it becomes a monumental affair. You can actually learn most anything about how to do something on the Internet, so Thankfully, that certainly makes it easier.
With all the images yet to be captured and destinations not yet sailed to, Why Do It?
Throughout the thought process during the “self debate” I described above, I kept returning to the fact of how much I love doing these two crafts known as Photography and Sailing.
Admittedly, and After-all, “Taking pictures”and Sailing has for me, been a lifetime labor of Love. At least for about 35 years now.
Long ago, In a Sport’s Editor’s office far away…., I figured out.. that for me, they would be inextricably entertwined.
When I was much younger, I didn’t start out wanting to do either. It all started first with the birth of my daughter, Cameron and a $25 Minolta XD11 Manual 35mm film camera from a Memphis pawnshop. Her Mother and I wanted to document special moments with our newly minted “Social Wonder” and the crazy amount of water skiing and camping we did for years on the Corps of Enginneer Lakes in N. Mississippi.
As the years moved on, We discovered more time on the water with an introduction to sailing that involved both our Kids. (soon we added Logan to the family) With all the new “picture moments” that presented themselves, I’m sure you know where this is going…And back in those days it didn’t help the film budget that they were always a “natural” in front of my lens! (They still are)
A little later, (much later) another significant person that came into my life led me to get really serious about my photography. And I have never since been just content to keep my Camera in a locker. . More about that in another post sometime.
As the thought process continued, I realized that there are many things I love about Photography and Sailing and that I would like to share with you.. Maybe you can identify.
For one, They both satisfy that “geek’ factor I think I have when I try (covet) a new piece of sailing gear or Camera equipment. (More budget woes)
Both addictions challenge me. Rigging for a Spinnaker set, plotting a course (in the dark) to an unknown anchorage or figuring out the dozens of menus on Sony’s latest Pro Camera to get “The Shot” just right, Lighting Ratios and Positions… can all be intimidating. And let’s not forget Weather. And The Sea. And Brides. And their Mothers. OMG.
For another thing, (and since I am detrimentally sentimental) they both serve and exist to create and document memories, challenges and adventures that would otherwise be lost, unrealized or not experienced.
And the there is “The Fear”. Even though it doesn’t run in my genes, I’ve always had this nagging concern (mostly brought on by 3 years service in a long term care facility) that I could succumb to the inevitable dementia that might surely come with growing older and forget it ALL. (This is something different than just losing your mind, which is only temporary)
At least I would have images to answer the inevitable questions and remind me of Where I’ve been, When was I there? Who I was with, and What did it look like? . And maybe one more.. Why?
Note: Sometimes the last question’s answer can change with Afterthought, Experience and/or Age.
A recent Meme that I saw some months back pretty well sums it up for me.
Finally, with more reflection, Something else came to wine mind.
The thing that has overwhelmingly meant the most to me about why I love Photography and Sailing so much. Is that it is something that encourages me to “Live in the Now” as Tolle so nailed it.
FRIENDSHIPS
It came to me how My life has been enriched by the many Friendships that have resulted because of these two Giant Addictions in my life..
Real, Great and Lasting Friendships.
Friendships I never would have had otherwise.
Friendships with Nature, Clients, Students, Sports Heros, Famous People, Everyday People, Families, Other Photographers, Sailors, Cruisers and Artists from all walks of life and from all over The Planet.
Not surprisingly, and what seemed like a lifetime later, it even caused the start of a 3 year relationship with someone (whom I thought bore the features of a “model”) and who just loved having her picture taken. Thinking that I was the Man for the job, I just “dived right in”!
Chicago, July, 2007 Nikon N90,
Photo Credit: Cameron Heinsohn
With the aforementioned in mind.. No..I’m not talking about “The Relationship”…
Rather The Friendships.. I was moved to embark on the task of documenting some of these experiences in the hopes that it will undoubtedly lead to even more friendships in the future. Besides, like the old practice of passing around prints, I can tell you much more about an image here, than on Facebook or Instagram.
To have a Friend, You must be a Friend.
By far, I feel that Cultivating, Experiencing and Forming new friendships is the most important of the benefits I enjoy about Photography and Sailing. What could be better than that? (Okay.. I admit it..Another “Model” might come along and that would be nice!)
Seriously. The last time I checked, No one has “too many” friends!
So. It is my hope that you will come here so that we can get to know each other better. Your visits, Your Hellos and Your Comments along with any “CC” (that’s Constructive Criticism” in Photographerspeak) that you might have are also Welcome and Appreciated. I see it as another way to improve my craft. You may use the “comment” section below and by the way.. Please Share! I would really appreciate it.
It is also an excellent way for you to get to know me, along with these two long-lasting loves of mine called Photography and Sailing. It also might make you more comfortable when, on a sunny day that we “hang out” on a beautiful sail or when you or your soon-to-be-wedded kids end up in front of my lens (as do most of my friends and many others).
As an added benefit, and as another subject of this Blog, on the articles I post about Sailing, I will try and offer insight on Travel Destinations, Mariner”s Concerns and How-to’s for the “Swabs” out there. All complete with Photos for your Enjoyment.
In respect of your time, You also have my promise to (try) and keep these entries brief and readable.
Who knows..You might just make a new friend!
How Cool would that be?!!
Comparatively, only a very small fraction of my photography work has been “people” pictures. But as I seek to always improve it, I find that it is the most interesting genre. I hope to get around to sharing lots more about People, Places, Friends, Life on the Water, Life in the Mountains, Boat Tech, Camera Tech and Just about anything else that comes to mind.
Next Week: Learn to Be Still… and Learning the Law of Attraction.
The Pelagic Lens Blog 