I shot this in northern Bangladesh, earlier this year while on assignment. We’re now in between two great holiday seasons that focus on gratitude and giving. You don’t come here for preaching, but you know it’s going to happen once in a while. Please consider giving to organizations, like World Vision, Invisible Children, or others that work closer to home. Let’s make this year the year we stop with the token gifts and landfill-bound trinkets.
In my haste to get on the soapbox yesterday I completely neglected to wish my American readers a happy Thanksgiving. Being Canadian means we get Thanksgiving, in some measure, twice. Of all the holidays I think I could tolerate doing more than once a year, Thanksgiving is at the top. Daily would also be fine. So while we Canucks had our day way back in October and now have nothing to do until Christmas, y’all to the south are gorging yourself as I write this. In the spirit of the holiday, for which many turkeys have died – I’m deeply grateful for so much, not the least of which is you – my readers, fans, tweeps, and friends.
If y’aren’t already sick of my yapping, there are two solid interviews online that are now available for your listening pleasure.
First, my buddy Matt Brandon did an interview with me while we were in Ladakh. That interview is available HERE, along with others like Bob Krist, Nevada Wier, and Gavin Gough, on the Peachpit TV site. Matt’s interview skills are exceptional and I think the conversational tone of this interview probably makes it more fun than insightful, but that might just be me. 🙂 Matt’s Depth of Field series is growing and he approaches his guests with some real insight – all his interviews are highly recommended.
The second interview is on episode #117 of TWiP (This Week in Photography) and it’s more focused on the release of VisionMongers and the issues I discuss in the book. Frederick’s becoming a good friend and he too is a fun interview, so take some time and listen to that episode, available HERE on iTunes. Just look for Episode #117. Or, perhaps the easiest way, just got follow this link directly to the interview on Frederick’s site.
Reviews on blogs, Amazon.com, and Twitter, for VisionMongers are beginning to pop up everywhere. Looks like the book is finally hitting the far side of the planet, which will be good news for folks from Europe and Asia who’ve been waiting. Thanks for the great comments and the glowing reviews. Keep them coming. Knowing what resonates with you makes it easier for me to keep teaching in ways that that work best for you. And it doesn’t hurt book sales, either, so thanks!
Finally, the winter holidays are nearly on us and if your tradition involves giving gifts, then there are plenty of Gift Guides out there to help you out. I’ll probably post one too, though it’ll more than likely encourage you to give the give of education rather than gear, and I’ll point you to a couple organizations where you can spend your money on something for people much less fortunate. Many of you have asked what the easiest way to give my $5 ebooks as gifts and I’m working on that too. I’ll include a discount too, just to share the love. Keep your eyes peeled.
Have a great weekend.
Comments
“You don’t come here for preaching, but you know it’s going to happen once in a while. Please consider giving to organizations, like World Vision, Invisible Children, or others that work closer to home. Let’s make this year the year we stop with the token gifts and landfill-bound trinkets.”
Those are three of the best sentences I’ve read all year. Nice work and nice words. Keep it up.
I really enjoy listening to the interviews you do. I’ve heard a couple (Photofocus, Canon Blogger) and I look forward to listening to these. My wife and I have two beautiful girls who were very thankful for so I appreciate the link to Invisible Children. I’m also interested in other resources you have to share.
David, your photo of the small child in Bangladesh is so uplifting. What a wonderful smile. I celebrate my thanksgiving by making a loan that changes lives with a wonderful organization called KIVA. I have a lending team called” Photographerfriends” Here is a link if you or your readers would wish to make a difference in someone’s life.
http://www.kiva.org/team/photographerfriends
And then Amazon UK just mailed me they shipped it this evening, even better 🙂
Amazon UK just let me know my copy of VisionMongers should ship around December 2nd, a full month earlier than expected, can’t wait!
I get the double thanksgiving as well being married to a Canuck. I posted a gift guide the other day in response to all the gear guides and am really looking forward to seeing what you have on your list.
Totally agree with you on rethinking holiday gift giving. After years of giving my co-workers candles, snow globes and other useless stuff, I now give gift cards that they can use to support a cause they believe in. There are lots of ’em out there, but my favs are Tis Best, Global Giving, KIVA, SEVA. No more silly snow globes!
We could do with a Thanksgiving holiday (or something similar, call it what you like) in the UK! After our Summer Bank holiday (31 Aug) we have nothing until Xmas Day.
i am sure i can speak for the southern group here and say we are thankful for you and this group bro! blessings
(well – they just shipped my copy)
I think I need a gift guide that’s the inverse of what I want, since I spend so much of my year focusing on all the shiny things made available to my taste ie. A photographers gift guide to your neglected spouse.
Spa Days, Oven Liners, foot massages…
I value your insight David. Happy thanksgiving to those who are “affected”. I just got a mail from Amazon.co.uk that the new ETA for my copy is December 7th.