Monday, April 25th, 2011...10:48 am
Is your passion worth your life?
A while back, I did a review of a trip being planned for photographers that was to be hosted by one of my favorite photographers and authors. Even though I am not a photographer, I think a little part of me always wishes that I was and I envy those that are. To top it off, the trip was to take place in Italy. It’s been a life-long dream of mine to visit this fine country and soak up it’s beauty and culture. When I read about the trip, a little sigh of longing escaped my lips. It came as no surprise to me that the trip was a huge success. So much so, that the hosts, David duChemin and Jeffery Chapman, decided to do it again this year.
Over the weekend, tragedy struck when David took a nasty fall that left him with broken bones in his feet, hands, and hip. It is no doubt that he is facing surgery and a very long and painful recovery. My heart aches for him. However, I have a feeling that this is not the last we will see of David. Passion for his craft runs deep, far, and wide, within him. If you don’t believe me, read the article he posted to his website just before the accident took place. It’s an ironic, and yet pointed piece about how all passion comes with some risk, and sometimes, most of the time, the risk is well worth the trouble.
Knowing David and reading that as the accident happened he was begging people in the group to take pictures, I am sure that not only will he recover and get back to his passion, but that he has no regrets. From this he will rise and make the most of it. Something even tells me that he is passing out photography tips to nurses and doctors from his hospital bed as I write this.
But all of this makes me wonder – am I as passionate about my career as David is for his? Could I put my life at risk for it? Some may say that I already have with the multiple herniated disks in my spine that I have received from sitting so much. But would I stand on the edge of a cliff for it? Would you?
Think about it.
Firgs,
Certainly David knew that he was risking dropping a piece of gear or something small (not himself). Often times, I think that we are blissfully unaware of the risks that we are taking or the close calls that we have on a daily basis.
I think that David’s accident only underscores his blog post of last week in that without risk there is no living. Even if that living sends you plummeting some scary distance to a hard surface below.
I have devoured David’s writing over the past few years and his is a blog that I read religiously.
There is no doubt in my mind that he will find the way to make himself a better photographer through this event.
Perhaps we could get him a wheelchair mounted camera for the interim though? I’m also curious if he had his finger on the shutter release on his way down.
I can see the title of the book now.. “Shootin’ Wheelies” ^_^
Nice post Firgs.
I have to answer YES. Yes I have and yes I probably will again, put my life at risk for my passion. For getting that perfect shot. I have, literally stood on the edge of a Cliff in the Blue Mountains, scrambled down steep riverbanks next to violent rapids, hung off the sides of buildings, stood mere inches away from speeding cars and even lost my hair once by getting too close to a flame thrower. All in an effort to get a better shot. I’m not even sure that I feel my life is on the line at the time. I think if I actually did stop to think about what I was doing I probably wouldn’t do it.
The irony is that most of those instances were as a cinematographer while shooting movies, which is something that I recent years, I have lost my passion for. Which makes me wonder if it really was worth the risk.
Of course I have a new obsession/passion now which is shooting stills and I’m now collecting a fair share of bumps and bruises in that pursuit too.
I think that’s my point James. If you’re not willing to stand on the edge of a cliff (be it literal or figurative) for your passion, then maybe you need to think about your passion and evaluate just how important it is to you. For most of us, our passion is what our business is dependent upon. If at any time the risks are becoming too great, or too much trouble, then that’s a sign to me that your heart may not be as into it as it needs to be for you to be successful.