The moral and ethical behavior of my own species often appalls me but a very recent event has reminded me that I shouldn’t color with a brush too broad.
In a blog post 10 days ago I explained why I’m sometimes reluctant to honor image requests for prints and other uses. It boils down to the fact that the process takes time and it’s a lot of work which robs me of precious time in the field with birds and the opportunity to enjoy my passions of bird photography and blogging about it. The hassles of printing and shipping are often a huge headache, the public can be capricious and difficult to deal with and I’m retired so at this point in my life I don’t want another “job”. Been there, done that for 33 years; for me photography is a hobby with all that implies and I prefer to keep it in that category.
In that post 10 days ago I used a specific and very recent example of the potential hassles of image sales which I’ve copied and pasted below:
- “The last example I’ll include here (and the one that finally inspired this post) began several weeks ago when I received a request from a representative of a Florida university foundation asking to use these two Burrowing Owl images in a special card of thanks to be sent to their donors (on their birthdays). To begin with they would print 500 copies of the card and I agreed to allow use of my images when we settled on what we both thought was a fair price and I was assured that all I needed to do to receive payment was send them an invoice. I sent her the images and the invoice and then awaited payment. But then last week I was sent two more complicated forms (more red tape) that I had to fill out before eventually being paid. I wrote back and told them to hell with it – that I wouldn’t fill out the forms and I’d just take the loss. At this point in my life I really despise menial work, especially when it wasn’t part of the original agreement. I know, that was cutting off my nose to spite my face but that’s just the way it is.”
After that post was published I accepted the loss of the licensing fee for the two images they used and moved on with my life because I thought it was over. It wasn’t.
Yesterday in the mail I unexpectedly received a delightful and thoughtful note from Barbara Belknap, the graphic designer who originally contacted me about the use of my photos for the card. I learned after the fact that Barbara was caught in the middle – when we originally made the deal she was unaware that her client, Florida Atlantic University, would require much more than just an invoice for me to eventually be paid for the images. I do not hold Barbara or FAU responsible for the misunderstanding. It just happened…
With Barbara’s note she also included…
Florida Atlantic University Birthday Card, front and back
Florida Atlantic University Birthday Card, inside
one of the 500 cards FAU had printed to send to their donors on their birthdays. The card is classy and well-done (and looks significantly better than these scanned copies). In Barbara’s thoughtful and detailed note she included the following:
- “In the end we figured out that although you are not an approved vendor, I AM! So I can pay you and get reimbursed. (cool, huh?)
And enclosed with my copy of the card and her note was a check written on her own checking account for the full amount we had originally agreed upon!
At that point payment was completely unexpected because I had already written it off as a loss (in effect letting them off the hook) and I had told them so when I informed them that I refused to fill out those complicated financial forms. But Barbara went the extra mile to get me paid just because it was the right thing to do.
To say that I found the timing of Barbara’s efforts on my behalf refreshing is an understatement. Just a few days earlier I had observed several unethical and even illegal events while photographing birds on Antelope Island (events that I’ll likely cover in an upcoming blog post) so I’ve been somewhat discouraged by the recent ethical performance of Homo sapiens. Barbara’s example lifted my spirits.
Her unexpected (and even unnecessary at that point) display of integrity meant at least as much to me as the payment. Probably more because it gave me hope.
Ron
PS – I suspect that Florida Atlantic University deserves some of the credit. I doubt that such an arrangement could have been made without their efforts and cooperation.
Sorry, the link doesn’t seem to work, but my point is that It seems FAU is endangering the very animal they have as a mascot.
Lyle, I wish the link worked.
But I’ll still give credit where credit’s due. And then be hugely disappointed in FAU if what you describe about the link is what happened.
Sorry to rain on your partial restoration of faith in humanity but for some reason I googled Florida Atlantic University (wondering about the Burrowing Owl connection) and found this:
http://proteus.fau.edu/practicum/spring_07/owl/html/page1_destruction.htm.
It seems another instance of naming a development after the very species that was threatened or extirpated because of the development.
Wow! Talk about getting hit “right in the feels!” Keith, thank you for sharing the link — it was exactly what I needed right now. Not gonna lie — tears of gratitude welled up as I listened and looked at all of those “right” shots. (Damn Ninjas — cutting onions around me again!)
That’s so much of what I feel when I come here, Ron. To me, every shot is the “right one,” because I can find exquisiteness and beauty in each and every shot you post.
So glad Barbara and FAU saw what was right and got you paid. The fact that there are still people (and institutions) that will do the right thing is a celebration of what is right with the world.
Thanks so much for the kind words, Marty.
I actually went back and watched that Ted Talk a second time.
So…there is hope after all…:-)
I think so. I hope I don’t change my mind tomorrow…
If you’re in danger of changing your mind, just go back and look at those marmot pups! 🙂
WONDERFUL news. I am so very often ashamed of our species it is lovely to hear of someone who proves me wrong.
Thanks, EC.
Ron, so glad that Barbara contacted you and sent you a copy of the card [along with a check]. It was heart warming to hear this story. The card is delightful. It is hard to find a better word than “cute”, so I’ll just use it to describe these youngsters.
I like to hear that so many lucky donors of Florida Atlantic University will enjoy your photos of these burrowing owls. Maybe they’ll be intrigued enough to become one of your bloggers….a nice thought.
Thanks for the post.
You never know, Alice – could happen… 🙂
I really enjoyed DeWitt’s talk (as I do most Ted Talks). Thanks for posting that Keith!!
I’ve been operating on a paradigm of “Be the Change you want to see” along with going out of my way to greet the world’s inhabitants with a smile. I’m not always successful, but I try really hard–little things like taking the grocery carts back to where they belong. Smiling at folks is a hoot. Most people appear to be in a horrible mood when I encounter them, often when we’re walking in opposite directions, but most will smile back. Maybe I made a difference in their life, at least for a couple of seconds anyway.
I love it when I hear of humans doing the right thing. So often we hear about the buttheads who wouldn’t know the right thing if it smacked them upside the head!
I neglected to say when you first posted these owls how much I love burrowing owls. They generally require the appropriate use of the word cute and those two photos illustrate my point precisely 🙂
Laura, I actually used that smiling technique on a stranger less than two hours ago at the grocery store. One little old lady who could hardly walk (she was using her cart to barely navigate along) went from dour and grumpy-looking to a wide smile back at me as soon as she saw mine. Made my day and I think it perked her up a little too.
It’s amazing how just a simple smile works. AND the bonus is that it puts a smile on YOUR face which changes your outlook on things.
Couldn’t be happier for you!!
🙂
Excellent ending!
It sure turned out better than I thought it would…
And they all lived happily ever after (including the birds). Very nice story.
I hope so, Elmer…
Love the pictures you selected to send to them, and so happy you did receive payment any way. It may pay for more gas and donuts for your beloved hobby. Keep on Truckin and Shootin!
Thanks, Trudy (it was actually Barbara who selected them). Yup, gotta be able to afford chocolate donuts at the very least!
A prime example of lets keep this a hobby❗️The cards are beautiful. Glad you got paid😀
Thank you, Diana.
Uplifting post. Thank you.
Thanks, Wally.
“DeWitt’s Ted Talk was superb and he’s inspired me to do better. I just wish that I always found National Geographic’s ethical performance in the field and elsewhere as inspiring as I do DeWitt’s philosophy and photographic results…”
Ron: I’m glad you watched the video. It is really hard to live by the concepts in his talk each and every day. We all fail at it, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in the field and heard his words in the back of my mind and it made my day.
You last sentence…. Maybe so, but I’m not focusing on what may not be right, I’m spending my energy trying to find a juice camera!!
I adored that juice camera. And that 5 year old kid!
Thanks Ron, I should have figured that out. But regardless, Happy Birthday next month. I had a cousin who taught at FAU who recently retired. Guess I should make a donation so they can send me one of those cards on my next birthday.
Everett Sanborn
There you go, Everett – money well spent for more reasons than one! 🙂
Love both of those funny owl images….almost as much as the happy(rare) ending….would be very happy yo receive one of those cards. When in May is your birthday? Two of my kids are also May babies…..
Thanks, Patty. I didn’t plan on letting it out but since you asked it’s May 9th.
Ron, nice story and great photos as always. I think the positives performed daily by we humans far outweigh the negatives, but of course we don’t often hear about the positives. I think all those who are followers of Feathered Photography are among the positives. And I hope you had a fun birthday. Best always, Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
“I think all those who are followers of Feathered Photography are among the positives”
I couldn’t agree more, Everett. That fact is one of the reasons I continue to blog.
Actually it isn’t my birthday. That card will be sent to FAU financial donors on their birthdays. Mine isn’t until next month.
Ron: Nice end to the story with FAU. It once again brought to mind my ever vigilant efforts to follow the words of DeWitt Jones in one of his marvelous talks….. “Celebrate What’s Right With the World”. I strive to follow those words and the wisdom in this video link each and every day. I fail most days. It doesn’t deter me from trying though. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, should take 18 minutes out of their life, watch this video and think about what it could mean if 200 million Americans could do this. I know it’s a dream, but I’m hanging on to it anyway. Here’s the link..
http://celebratewhatsright.com/tedx
Keith, I’ve always trusted your judgment when it comes to these kinds of things so I watched the video, all of it. And I agree with DeWitt and with you; as often as we possibly can we should “change our lenses and change our lives” and celebrate what’s right with the world. DeWitt is a powerful speaker and I loved his perspective as a photographer and as a human being.
I guess that’s what I was trying to do with this post without even knowing it. Sometimes I do focus on the negative too often – in my photography, in my blogging and for my own emotional well being.
DeWitt’s Ted Talk was superb and he’s inspired me to do better. I just wish that I always found National Geographic’s ethical performance in the field and elsewhere as inspiring as I do DeWitt’s philosophy and photographic results…
Wonderful news! I think our current climate make it increasingly difficult to believe in humanity anymore. Your story and those adorable burrowing owls have made me smile today; I simply have to believe there are more Barbaras (and Rons) in the world than, say, Donalds 🙄 Thank you for sharing your story, Ron. The cards are beautiful and I’m so happy it all worked out!
Emily, your comment reminded me of some past personal history. When I was born my mother actually seriously considered naming me Donald but my dad put his foot down and refused because Donald Dudley sounded too much like Donald Duck. True story.
With our current president I think I’d have legally changed my name if my mother had prevailed!
Haha!!!! Oh, I’m so glad your dad refused to go with Donald!!! 😝
It’s nice to follow the ups & downs of things that cross your path and your thoughts behind them. It’s nice to be sorta in your mind and listen to your inner monologue as you mull things.
Ha, you’re right, Zaph; I do sorta let it all hang out when writing some of these posts…
Yeah Barbara! 🙂 🙂 🙂 SO good to know they are “out there” amongst the “jerks” – being civil here! She did a wonderful job with the photo’s 🙂 Think we often tend to notice the jerks while not noticing the good folks just going about their business.
I guess it’s a little like a “sore thumb syndrome”, Judy – it’s the bad actors that we sometimes focus our attention on. But in many situations I find it difficult to ignore them…
That makes me very happy to hear. As Nd the cards are so cute.
Yes, I really like the card, Arwen. Barbara made my owls look good… 🙂
First time commenter, although I read your blog nearly every day. In addition to enjoying your WL photography tremendously, and valuing the expert information presented with each photograph, I keep clicking because I so appreciate your world view. Perhaps the darker expressions of human behavior only appear to be dominant; the rest of humanity keeps plugging away trying to do the right thing. They’re just quieter:) I’m really glad you have been properly paid for your work.
“Perhaps the darker expressions of human behavior only appear to be dominant; the rest of humanity keeps plugging away trying to do the right thing”
I sure hope you’re right, Quercus. With everything going on in the world it’s so very easy to become discouraged.
Thank you. And welcome to the commenting portion of Feathered Photography!
I agree with you about our sorry species so it’s great to hear something positive!! Thanks.
It sure is, Joanne!