Ken Norton wrote:
>
> >
> >We all wish you good luck, pave the way for us!
> >--
> >
>
> Thanks. The problem with good paying jobs is that you are less likely to
> jump into what you really want to do. But I don't have that problem right
> now. <g>
Right. When I was laid off the first time, in 1993, I began thinking
seriously about dumping the computer industry for something
photographic. Usually I'm more astronomy rather than astrology biased,
but the day I was laid off, my horoscope in the local paper (stop
snickering now) read "You should be out taking/making pictures."
> Seriously, I'm contemplating whether or not a six figure salary
> is worth the stress and long hours.
It ain't.
> If we can get the basics covered I'll
> be able to freelance full-time. Don't know how I'll be able to afford that
> F5 though.
Don't you mean OM-5?
>
> I shot 10 rolls this past week and I'm still hoping that my lab doesn't
> know I'm unemployed otherwise my account will go "cash-only." : /
>
> Other problem is that the brain starts playing games with you by saying
> that your skills are substandard and your files obsolete... It's hard
> sometimes being everything a client wants you to be. I know, welcome to
> the real world.
You feel that way, too, huh?
>
> Ken
>
> Kenneth E. Norton
> Image66 Photography
>
> image66@xxxxxxx
> (217) 224-5004
>
--
To finish my story, took me 3 months to find another job back then in a
down economy out here. I made sure when I was hired that 40 hours a
week of my time would be enough for them and that they would give me 2-4
weeks time w/o pay per year. This was my way of compromising - keeping
the good salary but keeping lots of time (well, 4 weeks a year anyway)
aside to get out in the field. That's still my situation today, 4
employers and 2 layoffs later. It really is a compromise, as employers
aren't going to throw much my way if I'm not willing to put in the extra
hours. Never be a manager this way (whew, one way to dodge that
bullet).
(At this point, I've resisted the temptation to go off on a tangent
about the absolutely cut-throat dog-eat-dog situation computer engineers
find themselves in these days.)
I also worked on my photography as much as possible nites/weekends to
where I now sell my Cibachrome prints pretty well at Art shows and in a
local gallery. Still can't make ends meet this way though. There would
have to be more - say portraits (I'm in process of setting up a portrait
studio at home) and/or the dreaded 'W' word. Corporate photography
seems to me too far removed from my landscape/nature work for me to have
much of a chance to break into it. Besides, then I'd be working for
'them' again.
Anyway, nuf of this. My opinion? Follow your heart, Ken. You're young
enuf to take a bit of a gamble, n'est pas?
george :>)
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