I recently heard somewhere that if you are forced to swim in piranha infested waters, stay calm, don’t splash about, and most of all try not to bleed for goodness sake. One of the most difficult things to do when a career in photography falls under social or financial pressure is to stay calm and focused on making it safely to the other side with your message and branding intact. We all have to find ways to safely navigate the dark waters of the day but should try our best to remain calm and focused. Otherwise, when you do make it to the bank –bedraggled and tired– you will forget why you worked so hard to cross over in the first place.
This is a public service announcement brought to you by a self-empowered nerd.
About claybolt
Clay Bolt is an award-winning natural history and conservation photographer whose work and projects have been featured by National Geographic, The Nature Conservancy, Scientific American, Outdoor Photographer and Audubon Magazine among others. In 2009 Clay co-founded the "Meet Your Neighbours" project. MYN is an international nature photography project developed to connect people with the wildlife within their own communities. Currently the project has representation in over 30 locations around the world. Clay is passionate about spreading the message that an appreciation of nature begins at home and he continues to seek out new ways to promote this concept through his photography, writing and community involvement.
Hey, Chase Jarvis comes to Images from the Edge!
Well said Clay. The water is cold and my legs are so numb that I won’t feel the pirhana bites soon ; – )
Best
Niall
Hey Niall,
I think I look a bit more like Seth Godin, but I’ll take it! :–).
Hmmmmm….it is worse that I suspected. At this point, I feel that I should advise you to watch out for Candirus as well. A numbness in the extremities can allow the situation to become even more dicey.
Stroke. Stroke. Stroke.
cb
Niall,
Your comment inspired this illustration. ;–)
Clay
I love this, Clay. You even got my tartan right…!
Best
Niall
I am already missing a few toes. Anybody know a good plastic surgeon?
As the old joke goes – two guys are stuck on a raft in a shark-infested sea and one says ” a shark just bit my leg off!” and his companion says “which one?” and he replies “I’m not sure – all those sharks look the same to me”.
I guess the point is – when under pressure it really really helps to be able to identify the threat.
John,
Well said and very true. However, we Americans prefer to just drop an incredibly large explosive device into the general vicinity of the threat and see what floats to the surface. Much simpler that way. (I kid of course…although sadly true).
Clay
….I noticed that with your laxatives…….
John,
I’m speechless. Are we related? Can we be friends.
Clay
I’m flushed that you asked…..