Passion and your photography/career?
I recently visited a small village in the department of
Allier. This charming untouched for centuries little
village saw the beginnings of the musical instrument known as a vielle. First made by Jean Baptiste Pajot(1863-1935). It
has a comical translation into english...hurdy gurdy. In Ireland the hurdy
gurdy was a fairground attraction that swung you around so fast you'd think
your head would land some distance away from the shoulders it was attached
to.
Now what has all this to do with the word Passion?
Well in the same village lives a man who has so much
passion about his trade that it has left an impression on me. I was touring
the village of Jenzat with my friend Pascal when Mr Méténier appeared at his
front door. Pascal and himself exchanged the obligatory niceties, and then
Pascal asked if we might visit his workshop. His face changed as he answered
positively, and without hesitation turned towards the door of his workshop.
It was a woodworkers paradise, an Aladdin's cave
containing every kind of wood cutting or carving utensil imaginable. I did my best to
follow his explanations,but I really didn't need to. It was his life long
passion for what he does that was remarkable, as was the delight visible on his
face as he described how every piece came to life in his workshop. And his enthusiasm for his work even at the age of 89 was
powerful.
It provoked me into asking myself 'Am I this
passionate about my work at the age of fifty and will I still be if I'm lucky enough
to see 89'?
No point in that kind of projection, but a good
question that needs an answer!
To be a photographer is somewhat grandiose, a job of
prestige you might say, but not one most photographers get financially rich
from. It certainly is rich in fulfillment for me though. I believe you must have passion!
This is just my point of view of one artisan to
another. Thank you Mr Ménétier!
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