For some people, knowing the history or background of someone or something is just as important as what they see. Other people either don’t care or don’t want to know the full story. They are satisfied to be happy or angry with what’s on the outside. Or they are afraid to stand up to those that fit the last category.

I guess you give them what they want regardless of your personal opinion. If someone wants you to photograph something that’s immoral or illegal, I figure you have every right to tell them you won’t stoop that low or call the cops if it’s of criminal nature.

Past, present and future military personnel generally don’t have a choice in what they do (outside of committing war crimes). With our all volunteer military, too many people today don’t realize that.

About all you can do is do the right thing yourself and forget about others. It may sound arrogant, but I’ve told my kids that they have to see themselves as better than other people. Not better because of their name, skin color, job, money, education or whatever, but better in that they will do what other people won’t do and not do things other people will do. As an example, this winter one son volunteered at a homeless shelter and one daughter crocheted stocking caps for underprivileged kids. Any one can throw change into a bucket but it takes a lot more to actually volunteer your time and effort, something most people won’t do.

I’m feeling a little deflated at the moment and would like some input. I’ve been lucky enough to be asked to produce 17 images, printed, matted, glazed and framed for my hospital. Among the first batch is a black and white image 24” x 36” of the local decommissioned courthouse. In front of the building is a statue of a Confederate Soldier. I was told a few hours after delivering them that they had to “put it away” due to the soldier. First of all, I didn’t pick the images. They were all chosen by the administration from among my portfolio. They are suggesting I replace the print with something else. I don’t want to. I like the image. It took a lot of work and it’s damn near perfect. I’m sorry that they won’t be displaying it, but, to remove it would harm the print, the backboard, and the matting. Sure, the frame would be fine, but it is a finished piece. A fine finished piece of art. What would you (anyone) do?

I’m feeling a little deflated at the moment and would like some input. I’ve been lucky enough to be asked to produce 17 images, printed, matted, glazed and framed for my hospital. Among the first batch is a black and white image 24” x 36” of the local decommissioned courthouse. In front of the building is a statue of a Confederate Soldier. I was told a few hours after delivering them that they had to “put it away” due to the soldier. First of all, I didn’t pick the images. They were all chosen by the administration from among my portfolio. They are suggesting I replace the print with something else. I don’t want to. I like the image. It took a lot of work and it’s damn near perfect. I’m sorry that they won’t be displaying it, but, to remove it would harm the print, the backboard, and the matting. Sure, the frame would be fine, but it is a finished piece. A fine finished piece of art. What would you (anyone) do?

I understand completely. My problem is: they picked the image, not me. If you printed and framed an image someone asked for, would you like it? The ones who picked it actually live there. I don’t. I travel there to work. They pass the statue everyday. They knew what it was. It’s their fault. Not mine. I don’t have an ego to protect. This is all new to me. That’s why I posted my concern. It’s an issue, not the end of the world. As far as not having a contract: these are my co-workers. These are people I’d trust with my life, my child’s life. I want them to be happy with the images, of course. But I can’t help but hope they’ll develop a little more character and not fall for every whimper.