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I have been wanting to read this book for a long time now, but was always distracted from it. Decided to buy a copy the other day. It took me a couple days to get through the first chapter, but once I got into it I realised how brilliant this book is. A must-read!
Most of the family was in Pietermaritzburg two weekends ago. We had a memorial service for Jashwin at the Moosa road house on 15th August. A celebration of his life. It is hard to believe that a year has passed already. So much has happened since then, especially for me.
Carol and I went for dinner to Gramadoela's in Newtown. They have a full buffet every evening between 6-8pm. It has a really cool interior and vibe but the music is quite stuffy - boring chamber music. A good place to get a meal before going to see a show at the Market Theaatre.
Since completing the photography course in April, I have been networking, trying to build up a rep as a photographer and to get work wherever possible. Things are moving slowly along - but it is moving in a positive direction. Occasionally I have been assisting a pro photographer on some of her bigger shoots.
Next week Thursday is my final assessment for the Market Photo Workshop course. 57 photographs comprising 2 personal projects and the course portfolio to be critiqued. It has been an intense experience. Whatever the outcome, I know i've worked hard and have learned a great deal which was the reason for doing the course - to learn more. I've been neglecting my friends and family...
What comes after the course?? It is a mystery at this stage. Hopefully I will be able to collaborate with other people, get working experience in the photography industry and make some money soon (modest even will do).
My first big change for this year is taking a break from the corporate IT world and enrolling in a photo workshop course for 3 months full-time. Friday is my last day at BHP Billiton as an IT techie. I start my course on Monday next week. Woohoo!
Update: "We couldn't ask for a better community. In the week or so since our last email, the outpour of support has exceeded our wildest expectations. Your efforts, such as starting savejpg.com, writing blog posts, commenting on Twitter and Flickr, and generally making your voices heard, have provided exciting new opportunities for us.
We're thrilled to say that because of you, we have multiple credible buyers interested in giving JPG a home. We will be keeping the site up after all, and hope to have a final update in the next week or so on who the acquirer will be. Thank you for making all of this possible.
Laura Brunow Miner
Editor in Chief"
2009... a year of change. Of big change. Step out into the world. Be present. Stop drifting and procrastinating. Finish what you started. Study. Take a leap of faith. Believe in yourself. Do it just because you can. Stretch yourself. Surprise yourself with your talent, imagination and creativity. Time is running out. Get moving... emotionally and physically. Express yourself. Breathe. Take notice. Read. Enquire. Go on, you can do it.
I am really sad to have heard that JPG Magazine has shut down. It was a really great site and community of photographers.
This is some of the email that was sent out "We've spent the last few months trying to make the business behind JPG sustain itself, and we've reached the end of the line. We all deeply believe in everything JPG represents, but we just weren't able to raise the money needed to keep JPG alive in these extraordinary economic times. We sought out buyers, spoke with numerous potential investors, and pitched several last-ditch creative efforts, all without success. As a result, jpgmag.com will shut down on Monday, January 5, 2009.
The one thing we've been the most proud of: your amazing talent. We feel honored and humbled to have been able to share jpgmag.com with such a dynamic, warm, and wonderful community of nearly 200,000 photographers. The photography on the website and in the magazine was adored by many, leaving no doubt that this community created work of the highest caliber. The kindness, generosity, and support shared among members made it a community in the truest sense of the word, and one that we have loved being a part of for these past two years....
...We're soggy-eyed messes, but it is what it is. At that, JPGers, we bid you goodbye, and good luck in 2009 and the future.
Laura Brunow Miner
Editor in Chief"
