Hi Folks:
I am a professional meteorologist and an amateur photographer. I also
have a deep interest in present-day railroading.
I have never sold a weather forecast, but if I did, I would guarantee
it. (If you don't like my forecast, bring it back, and I'll give you
another one.)
>>From what I've read on the list lately, I would have to agree with
Gilley. For me, railroading is a hobby. To participate in this hobby,
I need to do my part in sharing my efforts with others. That way I can
hope to enjoy the efforts of others, especially those who live in
places I will never be able to visit in person.
Ten years ago, I moved to Kansas City. I spent weekends exploring the
vast railroad resources of the area. I took photos and made b/w
prints. I sent some of the prints to Dale Sanders at _CTC Board_. It
was really enjoyable "work."
Dale printed an unbelievable number of my photos. I think that quality
b/w prints were scarce back then. I admired Dale's depiction of the
contemporary railroad scene. Today's news photos are boring. Every
mag prints a similar picture of the same new paint scheme, the same
wreck, or the same flood. Yuck!
At first, Dale sent me "thank you" notes. That was great and all that
I expected. Later, he started extending my magazine subscription.
Considering the price of today's mags, that was even better.
Then I turned to the dark side. I started sending contributions to
others. Here are a few of the black holes that my photos fell into:
* 30-plus photos sent with return postage to an SP book that
was never published. GONE!
* 30-plus photos sent with return postage and a reusable
fiberboard mailer (not a cheap item) to a UP book that was never
published. GONE!
* One mounted art print with $5 return postage sent to a major
mag. GONE!
My idea of railroad photography as a hobby changed quickly. Nowdays,
for some reason, I can't find the time to send my photos to publishers.
I have traded b/w prints with a few select friends over the years, and
now that we have e-mail, I've begun trading prints with some new
friends in faraway places. To me, the peer review process is a
mechanism that improves every facet of our art. Slideshows promote
this same kind of self improvement.
When I discovered e-mail, I had hoped to move all of my photo trading
to the electronic medium. Unfortunately, it will be a year or two
before all foamers have the computer knowledge and power to exploit the
Internet to its fullest. This will give me a little time to get some
more value from all of my darkroom equipment. Personally, I would
really like to ditch the darkroom altogether. (But that's a topic for
another time.)
The bottom line. . .
I would really like to share my work with other fans, but I won't throw
good stuff into black holes.
Later,
Warren
--> SPORRS: Serious Photographers of Railroad Related Subjects
