Hi. My name is Cynthia E. Jones. My work has appeared in SHOTS magazine, Pulse!, The Sacramento News&Review, The Sacramento Bee, Alive & Kicking, and I am a staff photojournalist for the Press-Tribune in Roseville, CA. I shoot rock band promotional photos, pictures of major events, pictures of my friends drunk at parties (always in black and white, drunk red noses don't look nice), weddings ('cos they pay better than musicians can), and anything and everything. I have my camera on me at all times, and I shoot anywhere from 20 to 75 rolls a week. My question is: Are there any other photographers out there who would like to speak to me on a regular basis about ... EVERYTHING? The photographers I meet tend to be of the 'old man, Ansel-Adams wanna-be' variety, or the 'housewife who takes photos of cute kids with hats and flowers a la early Anne Geddes and unfortunately too many god damned other people' type. I want to meet young active people who shoot everything around them, who shoot ten rolls a day of the grocery store, the video store, the kids walking down the street, the coffee shop clerks, you know, everything. Am I the only one documenting my life? Am I insane? Also, I can't get anyone to come to my webpage 'cos I don't know how to promote my site to the right people (ie: artists) who would appreciate my work. So, would anyone like to check out my photos and tell me what you think? Feedback from non-photographers is always very positive, but I want a more subjective opinion, if you know what I mean. Thanks. My web site address is: http://members.tripod.com/~cynthiaejones

Thank you for listening.

Sincerely,

Cindy

(Cynthia E. Jones, photographer)

-- Cynthia E. Jones (cynthiaejones@hotmail.com), December 15, 1999

Answers

Your web site is nice--you have creative energy. I fear I may fall into your 'old man, Ansel-Adams wanna-be' classification; however, I do have a web site dedicated to photography and an on-line magazine in need of creative work. I would be happy to link to your web site, and consider using some of your photographs to illustrate poetry or short stories in my magazine. Check it out at http://unblinkingeye.com.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edbuffaloe@unblinkingeye.com), December 15, 1999.

I like to think of myself as more of an "Old Fart" rather than an "Old Man Ansel Adams Type". However, as most who play on this site know, I spent 21 years as a photojournalist before getting one of those lazy man, sit-down jobs as a "digital imaging specialist" about a year ago. That's what I'm called oficially but most of my coworkers refer to me as the "Photoshop guy". I'm now allowed to return to my first love which is, next to my cats and Jeeps, black and white photography for fun. I also love talking with others who share my love (of photography not the cats and Jeeps). As a photojournalist I worked in Arizona, California (with Caesar Chavez and his cause), Chicago (briefly) and New York (briefly). Most of my time though was spent in Texas and Mexico. I most exclusively, now, photograph people being themselves. I like to say that I photograph peoples' charater. Write if you care to.

-- Joe Cole (jcole@apha.com), December 15, 1999.

You have a nice web site and your images are excellent. But, why do you shoot so many rolls of film? Isn't it better to spend a little more time on each shot than to shoot so much? It's the old quality vs quantity thing...

-- Joe Cole (jcole@apha.com), December 15, 1999.

Hi Cindy

I think your site shows a great range of photographic talent. If it means anything to you, I understand your attitude towards photography. It's an obsession. I also believe that you shoot so much film, not to simply increase the chances of making a great photograph, but because you just need to make photographs- am I right? Regardless, please keep your site updated since I plan to re-visit periodically.

-- Asher Schachter (schachter@a1.tch.harvard.edu), December 15, 1999.

You're always welcome to hang out here, Cindy!

-- Mason Resnick (bwworld@mindspring.com), December 15, 1999.

hi! well i cant say that im a "photographer," but i am really interested in photography. im doing a research paper and project for school and i'd love to get your (ie real "photographers") imputs and use them as primary sources in my paper. itd be beneficial for me and id learn more about this particular art. e-mail if you (or anyone) has knowledge or valid opinion regarding black and white photography that i could document (so you must be a reliable source). i think interacting with other photographers is definitely a good idea...

-- yang kwon (yko123an@aol.com), December 16, 1999.

oh, and i almost forgot. i enjoyed your website...

-- yang kwon (yko123an@aol.com), December 16, 1999.

Hi cynthia: Maybe I feel in your wep, something nostalgyc and why not maybe tire. To many roll at the week, for to many everywhere or many others, but inside in your emotion has in the break point. I refert , to do sometime for your exploration visual, for you, not for anyone,this part is very interesting in profesionals carrear. Maybe, inside of your thinking behind to each photogragh, the needs to found something more that good portraid in creysi situatisn, (rock or wedding), the realy Cynthia expressisn was waiting for born and go on. Well Excuse my bat English if my interest to contact to you and see your work. I live in cancun mexico. I have a Photograph School and I4m photographer for 20 years ago, firth in journalist and now,about 7 year in advertising and I have many project for workshop with concepts performance in the rainforest and nude, and many kind of different way to explore the inteligent visual. thank you, the energy can transmit is to powered.

-- orlando J. Montalvo (orlando_31@hotmail.com), January 14, 2000.

Hi Cindy, You have a lot of interesting photos on your website - I like your style. Well, you've gotten a few replies from the "Ansel Adams wannabe's"... so how about the "` la Ann Geddes" type?.... I've taken a few shots of kids with hats and flowers... *S* ...I'm no housewife though... but not a professional photographer either. I can't afford to shoot as many as 70 rolls a week - I have a family to support, and besides - I have other ways of dealing with reality than through the lens... I'm actually not very fond of Ann Geddes - I don't understand how she can claim to "have respect for children and their personality", and then dress them up like cabbages or bumblebees. I can understand the costumes and stuff as something done just for fun - but hey! - that's the photographers and the grown-ups' idea of fun - not that of the children! At least not when they're toddlers... And it's certainly not respectful to their personality. (Look who's talking - I've just shot a series of photos of my daughter and her friends, dressed up in 60s style... well - at least they're 14-15yo, and they had fun, too!!) You're not the only one documenting your life... but since all of us lead different lives, the results tend to be just as different. You want to meet young, active people who shoot everything around them - well, I hope you find them... I'm just a middle aged (42), active amateur photographer, with a passion for images - whether it's croquis sketches, paintings or photos... My homepage isn't as exciting as yours, but it shows a part of *my* life... http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Bistro/6229/ Regards, Anneli

-- Anneli Lundberg (anneli_lundberg@hotmail.com), January 27, 2000.