Forward., originally uploaded by Nashua Telegraph.

I just wrote and posted this on my personal blog to inspire anyone who comes
across it and I thought this was something everyone should read. Simply
replace the term journalist and camera with something else.

Set the camera down for a second. Because I know my “audience”, this isn’t a
ridiculous request. What I’m about to say may sound preachy. You may not
want to hear it but, it needs to be asked. When were you last a human first?

It’s terribly easy to get caught up in being a journalist and believing that
can be your sole contribution to the world. I have sad news friends, it’s
not good enough. How many people have actually ever made a difference in the
world with a camera? Sure, a single frame has changed the course of the
world for good before (a man by the name of Eddie Adams comes to mind), but
how often does it regularly occur? With technology being the way it is, and
consumers having the same tools we as professionals have, the distinct
advantage we once had is diminishing. Should you quit striving to obtain
that next image that changes the world? Not at all. Do you want to make sure
that in some manner you make a difference in at least one person’s life?
There’s an easy way to ensure that this has the best possible chance at
happening. BE A HUMAN FIRST! Feel the feelings you encounter everyday. Live
the lives that your subjects live. Love the way man was meant to
love…passionately.

I realize that I’m not the most eloquent person in the world. Heck,
sometimes I even have a hard time getting my point across to people in
everyday conversation. I have realized though that there are two things that
translate perfectly to any language. The first, of course, is music…you
know, the kind without words in it. The next and, until recently, the less
obvious of the two, is emotion. People around the world feel the same
feelings we do. By we I mean Americans. Many would argue that some people,
depending on their geographic location of course, feel pain or joy to a
larger degree than we do.

So where do these feelings come from? Could be the fact that I’ve been
living alone for the first time in my life. Could be the forced seclusion
due to weather. It could be the fact that I have recently uncovered an
intense desire to make a difference. To work to make a change and working
tirelessly toward such a goal is a tremendous thing and I encourage each of
you to pursue a like goal.

How about some more inspiration.
David Leeson - The Creative Alchemist

–
Grant Morris
Staff Photographer
The Telegraph
603-594-6483