MrChadwick Critiques

Well, i made it back! Im tired from all the travelling, but im happy!

I was thinking about the current discussion, and i hope Ron doesn't mind, but i thought it would make
good fodder for my "editorial".

Like so many things, we are all often going to have different opinions, neither being right or wrong.
must admit, ive always considered myself to be a "seer" rather than a "looker", but my African trip
made me take a long hard look at myself, and i noticed a definite need for re-evaluation!

The difference between looking and seeing is so much more than just photography. Its life itself. I've
never considered myself to be a rich person, or even well off, i'm just a hard working guy who's not
afraid to put out the extra effort for the "finer things" in life.I met so many nice people in Africa, and
had a chance to talk to many of them. They employees at the hotels were mostly from local tribes,
and they were always happy, smiling and singing. These people worked long, hard hours, often for
two or three months straight, and for an embarrassingly small amount of pay.I talked to one fellow,
and we were figuring out how much my trip cost in Tanzanian shillings, and we figured it out to well
over a half million Tzsh! The fellows mouth dropped! He pretty much told me that that much money
was almost unfathomable to most native people. My daily bar tab (maybe two beers and a glass of
wine with supper) would be more than a family would earn in a month! I felt a twinge of guilt, and i
asked him why then, were they always so damn happy? His answer was simple....because they at
least had a job to go to. These people are true "seers". They don't "look" at what they don't have, they
"see" what they do.....

Its simply a matter of being able to appreciate what we have, maybe by looking at it through different
eyes, to get the full effect. Than make the most of it, and be thankful that you have it at all! I know that
the wildlife photography opportunities here will never be as good as in Africa, but i'm sure there are
many people who would die for the chance to have them. Now, i'm truly feeling in perspective, as a
newly christened "seer". And i owe it to my African teachers for showing me the proper direction. To
them i say "ashante sana"(thank you very much") for opening my eyes, and for truly giving me
something to think about........

Just a quick note of thanks to everyone for helping cover my butt in my abscence!I shot close to
fifty rolls of film so i hope i should have a couple "keepers" to post here! If they turn out i should have
some good shots, lord knows enough were presented to me! It was tough trying to steady the
500mm,i ended up being ably to use a mini tripod and my cable release, and a whole lot of elbow
grease. It was tough trying to get every one not to move, and they all did their best, so please be
forewarned that i may end up posting some "less than perfect shots" just to try to share me
experiences. It was amazing being within literal FEET of all of the big five, (except the leopard, who
was maybe 20-25 feet), having a stand off with a huge bull elephant who was blocking the road into
the Ngorogoron crater, and was mad about having us on "his road" (he won), and than running into
him again on the way out! yes, i have pictures to prove it!). There is so much to tell, i don't want to
bore you with details, so if you want to know, please feel free to ask me about it! All i can say it was
truly a dream trip of a lifetime! I'm hoping to get some rolls developed today, and ill try to post some
ASAP.

Brad