To The Victor ... The Crow(n)

Hello Folks,

I was disappointed enough with the photos in Canyonlands to go back to square one and examine all the settings on my cameras – everything was OK.  I then started to think about what the problem was – and it boiled down to me taking it for granted – taking for granted that with the equipment I had, I could get a great photo.

I met a true gentleman in Kanab, UT – who has kindly shared his personal video library of his travels with me – JC Stimson.  I was visiting JC at one point about a year ago and he had a book - a coffee table book of photos taken in the SW USA.  He opened it and pointed to a picture that had been taken at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.  There was a caption to the side of the photo that gave the photographer’s name and the circumstances under which the photo had been taken.

The photographer lived within commuting distance of the Grand Canyon and had traveled there, many times, to photograph the Grand Canyon at sunrise and sunset and all times in between.  He reckoned he had been there 400 – 500 times.  This evening – that the photograph in the book had been taken – there had been some rain and then the sun had broken through the cloud creating a soft, hazy light along with a rainbow – he said it was all luck – he just happened to be there when the light was right.

Not quite methinks .....

The important part here for me, and this is really what achieving anything all is about – you focus on something and you keep at it – until the circumstances allow you to get it right. I am going to go back to Canyonlands a few times to get it right - and I may not get it right any of these times – but the key is that getting it right is an arduous effort – nothing comes easy – however if you stick to it – be almost monomaniacal about it – you will get there – when circumstances are in your favour – if you aren’t there, when the circumstances are right - do a tree falling in the forest make a sound if no one is there?

For me, doing what I am doing, it’s easy – I am pushing myself – nobody is praising me, paying me, chastising me, slaying me – this is a personal agenda.

Now - imagine someone pursuing a loftier goal - a goal that is public, and of interest to the public - where everybody has a forum for criticism, input, advice and opinion.  How strong would you need to be, how stubborn, how committed - to be able to achieve it - knowing that circumstances may never allow - although the cause is just and the objective noble.

I can’t imagine – but I think the same truth holds – that in spite of the chaos surrounding you – you move forward with the strength of the conviction that the result is worth the personal cost - that to achieve something – to achieve anything – you first have to try – then you realize that circumstances may not be in your favour – you go back at in again – and if circumstances aren’t in your favour the next time, you go back at it again – given enough time – all combined with persistence – you will get there - if circumstances eventually favor you.

Only ‘those people that matter ‘– those we still fondly remember in verse and song – those that had the strength of their convictions to do what was right – given a constant barrage of criticism – have made real and significant contributions to our society – they truly got there (when circumstances caught up to them, and they knew, given enough time, circumstances would catch up to them) and in turn we got there because of them and with them.

And when they did get there – it was not only a personal catharsis – it was a catharsis for all those who had ever wished, dreamed, or worked for the same thing. It, in turn, made possible – and indeed tangible – the aspirations and wishes of a silent majority who were always waiting to be heard – building into a movement that resulted in real, lasting, permanent change.

This 'strength of conviction' arises from, and at the same time, gives rise to, the dream of hope – and without hope – what is the meaning of anything.


This next little clip shows what happens when strength of conviction, a cause that is noble and circumstances collide in one bright shining moment - I believe we will see his like again  - because the circumstances are right for a man or woman, with the strength of conviction, to take the bold steps necessary - to change the political landscape.

I raise my glass to all those who do things to give us all the dream of hope – to the writers, the poets, the songwriters, the performers, the movie makers, the artists, the sculptors, and yes, the ‘publican’ owners that provide us a venue for not just the arts themselves – but for patrons to partake of the arts in a convivial fashion – and by doing so – celebrate the local artists and their ‘art’.

I hope my pictures are better in Canyonlands the next time – that said, it will only come with persistence on my part – combined with the right circumstances when I am there – my chances of success will be always be a function of my commitment and the right conditions – if I keep at it – both will collide in a bright shining moment.

And speaking of colliding – if you look at this picture – you will see that the ebony feathered fowl has enlisted a partner in crime.  OK – twins have always been a fantasy of mine – so be it – bring it on – I have always enjoyed a CROWd.  If the circumstances are right, I will prevail ... if not, they don't call it the miCROWave for nothing ....

More later,

Phil