Farewell For Now, Folks!

There won't be any more photographs from me for the foreseeable future.

Due to my continued unemployment and my rapidly dwindling bank account I am selling all my photography gear and leaving photography for now. The camera went yesterday, and I hope my tripod and the Tamron 17-50 will go soon too.

Hopefully I will get a job and be able to return to it, because I have enjoyed photography for about 40 years. But for now, it's simply not in the financial cards for me.

So, so long folks, I have enjoyed learning from y'all!

I hope your financial difficulties are resolved soon so you can get back to this wonderful hobby. Best of luck to you in the future.

Good luck! I hope you find something soon and have an expeditious return.

I just looked through your galleries and, I must say, that this is a tragedy. I can understand if you were giving up the large format camera and film with its recurring costs, but digital pictures don't really cost anything. I think you should still hang on to a cheap, used DSLR and one lens.

Persevere, and I am sure things will work out for you. You've been taking pictures for a very long time and I think you should continue. Btw, certainly your large format work is worth something: start some print sales! Best wishes.

Thanks. I have been out of work for two years. I'm 62 and my field of expertise is Linux & Unix System Administration. I have applied for over 400 jobs. Nobody wants to hire an old guy these days, especially for a high tech position like that.

I have almost exhausted my savings. I have exhausted unemployment. I have ZERO income and I have to pay rent and buy food. Photography is pretty far down my list of things I *must* do, even if it is close to the top of the list of things I'd like to do.

Wish you all the luck - hope your financial problems will be solved soon.

Have you considered offering your services as an independent contractor directly to clients? Has worked for many in similar situations.

Anyway, I fully understand your priorities - food and rent first!

Michael, I really feel for you and hope you find some work soon. Best of luck to you!

That is a sad, sad thing to read. Giving up one's passion hurts... like ending a relationship.

If it's any help to you, I recently sold some surplus equipment. Doing so, I discovered that although Fred Miranda is supposed to be the "place to sell", in my experience it was not. I sold more items here on potn, and over on photo camel than I did on FM. IMHO, save the bucks and don't bother with FM.

5Dmaniac wrote in post #14092051
Have you considered offering your services as an independent contractor directly to clients?

This is actually a good idea and something to consider... with a twist.

My brother-in-law is a dermatologist. He made a political mistake in a hospital he was working at and as a result, he was somewhat blacklisted in the profession.

To get work, he devised a scheme. He is the vacation replacement guy. When a physician goes on vacation, he independently contracts himself out to take their place for a week or two or whatever. He bounces around various cities in Calif. He found that he makes more money doing than when he was at the hospital. Perhaps something like this, or a derivation of it, would work for you.

LOL. Funny how things work out and sometimes happen at certain times.

I am an administrator on a FB page, and the following YouTube video was posted as an inspiration to struggling artists. I thought it appropriate to post here.

No more. I quit. Goodbye.
.

I hope you don't think I haven't been trying to find a job, PNC.

michaelnel wrote in post #14099892
I hope you don't think I haven't been trying to find a job, PNC.

Don't know why you would think that. As you said in your post, you applied to 400. In a two-year period, that is a heck of a lot more than the average person would have. Trust me, I know. I used to work in the human resource sector.

I just wondered if your youtube reference was pointed at me.

Nope! Not pointed "at you" but rather for you... for encouragement. Don't give up. Work hard. With as many applications as you've been doing, you're doing it right. Somewhere along the line something will click. Hang in there.