Ray Swindle
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JWilsonphoto wrote:
Chandler and I had a full day yesterday, I flew in the morning, then Chili came to the hangar and we went to lunch and headed downtown to get him a couple of batteries and a charger for his D3200. He's headed to Colorado for a week and wants to shoot some landscapes while he's there. We fired up his Nikon, but I think he was underwhelmed..........he's gotten a little spoiled over the years reaching into my case and pulling out whatever he needed.
While we at the camera shop my Buddy Eugene pulled me aside and said, "August 20th, whatever you want." I said, "cooling grip and extra batteries?" He responded "absolutely!". So it looks like I'll be set up when I walk out of there. He also said he'd have a C400 to play with in a week or two, but it would be September before he'd be able to get me mine. I'm very grateful for the friendships that have evolved in the industry over the decades, Eugene and his father Ramsey have been so very good to me, they know how I shoot and what my preferences are, so they order things for me before I even know that I need them. They are honest as the day is long, I know that I can trust their insight. My guy inside Canon, what a blessing he has been over the years, always there for me, regardless of the need, he figures out a way to fulfill it. Those kinds of friends and associates are invaluable and I appreciate them greatly. Ask them about "trickle down economics", they are big believers. Eugene's Dad passed away in June, pretty suddenly, he will be greatly missed. Ramsey came to the US fleeing the death and destruction in Syria and Lebanon, through hard work he achieved the American Dream, raised an incredible family who carry on his ethics and integrity.
Funny, over the years Ramsey and Eugene have called me more times than I can count, to tell me that something rare, made of "unobtainium" had arrived, but I'd have to come in the back way to pick it up on the QT. Those are the kinds of friends and contacts that can help make a career. We were at an ISAP symposium in VA Beach and Nikon introduced the D800, they had a copy and were doing a dog and pony show for us. I "borrowed it and captured two portraits of the Tuskegee Airmen that were our guests for the symposium. I walked the over to a north window to shoot them and realized that I didn't even know how to turn the camera on. The Nikon rep ran over and walked me through it. When I got to my room that evening I processed the shots and my jaw dropped, the detail and tonal qualities were, well, medium format like. The next morning I called Ramsey and asked him what he could do for me. Nikon was saying it would be 90 days before the D800 was available in limited quantities. Ramsey said (in his deep accent), "Jim, I call you back!". an hour later he called me and asked when I'd be back in Dallas, I told him Sunday night, he laughed and said , "I have two for you Monday afternoon, come to the back door!", now that is a partner.
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I began woodworking as a hobby in 1991. Like photography, I dove into it. I could tell you every advantage every woodworking tool had, where it was made and if it was for a hobbyist or a pro. I friended the tool department manager of a large Sears store on Houston's southeast side. He would call me when he had a "special" open box buy on the floor. These were tools that had been on display and never used, but he could discount them over 20%. This included brands other than Craftsman. I remember he told me he was selling a floor standing drill press for an "open box buy" and I bought it immediately over the phone. I set it up in the shop and it didn't turn on, took it back and he gave me a new one. I passed on a Makita sliding mitre saw he sold me for nearly 40% off to my son in law. He wanted to learn woodworking. I bought that saw in 1999 and it works flawless. (It still has the original Sears price sticker on the base.) My son in law built two walls of cabinets in his wife's office and they look spectacular. I followed my Sears guy from that Houston store to Pasadena and then to Clear Lake. Guys like him and Ramsey are priceless. I know what you mean Jim. Although, I am sad to say he has gone on to other opportunities and the golden touch is no more, I will always remember what he did for me.
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