I was watching a documentary, Half Past Autumn, about Gordon Parks. He led an extraordinary life. He was good at a number of disciplines: Photography, poetry, art, music, writing, and film directing. One could only hope to accomplish half as much as he did in his life. He was truly amazing. He refused to take no for answer. As an example of his audacity, he walked into the editors office of Life magazine and refused to leave until editor had a look at his pictures. The editor tried to get him to leave and make and appointment, but he remained there steadfast until the editor had a look. After the editor saw two pictures, he was convinced. He was hired immediately and given a feature story to cover gangs in Harlem, NY. He freelanced for Vogue, photographed Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, The Black Panther Party, and a host of other high profile assignments.
Yet, all through the documentary, you could see that he was losing pieces of his personal life. He was married 3 times: The first lasting 28 years, the second 12, and the final one, 6. In interviews with his various wives, they all loved him dearly, but they just could not compete with his dedication to his passion for photography. In a small way, this reminded me of Joe McNally’s story from The Moment It Clicks where he had to decide between going on assignments or being home for his daughter’s birthday.
At times, I know that I have a romantic view of what that type of life must be like. I see only the end result: The name and photo in print. However, there is a darker side. A side where dues must be paid. It was a great story and one that certainly helps to keep one’s perspective. If you have the time, it’s worth watching.
Related posts:
10 Responses to “Sacrifice or dedication?”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Just rented it. Thanks. And really just love this picture!!!!
@Tom: I’m quite sure that you’ll enjoy the documentary a lot! I know that I certainly did. As for the photo, thanks!
It was shot with Ilford Pan F Plus. ISO 50. It’s my first roll through Rodinal in about 26 years! I’m happy to say that this developer is still champion, in my eyes! I took this photo during the Photo Walk. As I was walking along I saw this wall with just a hint of light poking through the trees. I got in close, metered for the highlights, increased it one stop, and took it. I was glad that it came out well. It was pretty contrasty in there!
I think that I’ll go for another photo walk through downtown by myself one Saturday morning when I stay in town. Perhaps an evening after work. There’s so much to see downtown.
Yes there is always a darker side, Paul. Yet, that darker side isn’t all negative. Imagine that all of us stayed true only to the light side, always stayed close to home, always stayed present to the small tribe that surrounds us. Always did the right things. Where then art? Where then the artifacts that would be passed down through generations?
I can see it: “He said all the right things to all the right people, always with a gentle smile. He made us all feel loved, valued and at the centre of the world. He was focused on us. Trouble is, we never, ever got to know him. He was like the perfect mirror for us. I wonder what he was really like, you know, who was he?”
Paul, this image is just stunning. I’ve never used Rodinal. How did you develop the roll? Why do you like Rodinal so much?
Paul, not only photography–each life has choices that include degrees of dedication and/or sacrifice. Case in point, your move to Charleston…dedication and/or sacrifice?
I think we tend to glamorize those we admire but that doesn’t mean their life choices are so different then our own–at least not at the root level.
Wonderful photo!
A fascinating topic, Paul. Amazing how much we learn about ourselves when we examine the lives of others. I have never been able to understand those who preach that you can have it all. Reminds me of the old phrase,”There no such such thing as a free lunch.” I don’t think there is any escaping the fact that it’s all about weighing the price and making the tough choices.
@Robert: You bring up a great point, Robert. I’ve found myself, in years past, doing the very thing that you described: Saying all of the right things, smiling, etc. Recently, I’ve learned when to speak up for myself and express my ‘dark side’ in a positive way.
@Chris: Like anything else in the photography world, there a thousand ways to do something. Long ago, I found a developer/film combination that allowed me to get the type of negatives that I liked for printing. I remember that I really liked Rodinal for the great edge sharpness, or contrast, that it gave as well as the ability, depending on how it was diluted, to give a nice bit of tonality. The film that I used to use, Agfapan 25, no longer exists, but Pan F is a very reasonable substitute!
The cool thing about Rodinal is that it can be diluted 1:25, 1:50, 1:100, or 1:200, or perhaps even more. I develop with 1:50 for about 11 minutes @68 degrees and it works wonders. I was using Ilfosol-3, Ilford’s developer at 1:14 for 4 1/2 minutes, but the negatives always had just a bit too much contrast. Also, you cannot dilute Ilfosol-3 more than 1:14, or at least I’ve never seen any data on it. Some people like to do stand development with Rodinal where they mix it 1:200 and let the negatives sit for 2 or more hours with only occasional agitation. This supposedly really brings out the tonality, but has some serious drawbacks. I’ve not been patient enough to do that. 11 minutes is enough for me.
Rodinal lasts forever! There have been cases where people have used an already open bottle some 10, 12 YEARS later and it still works! It’s shelf life is legendary!
Finally, it’s pretty cheap to use. A 500 ml bottle, which is enough to process 50 rolls of 120 film, diluted 1:50, costs $12.99, or about 26 cents/roll.
I love this shot also Paul. Wonderful use of light.
As far as the sacrifice part, I suppose it is inevitable for anyone that can become consumed by their passions. Eventually something has to give.
Paul, I got to watch this yesterday based on your post here. WONDERFUL! Thanks for letting me know.