The whole world defines the photographic product by companies. Everybody wants to know, how many megapixels a camera has, how many frames per second, are the cameras waterproof, are the lenses water resistant? how’s the auto-focus, do they have tracking? And the list goes on…. What camera should I buy? The simple answer is the one that fits your hand, your eye and your wallet. Today it’s impossible to buy a bad camera, they’re all good. Understand, that’s not why you would buy the camera.

I’m going to tell you a little story, and its true, no bull-

I started my photography with a camera called a Robin. I then went onto a Nikon and Leica rangefinder. Then got serious about my photography and shot Nikon from 1959 through 1983. In 1983 I chose to take a contract with the IOC (International Olympic Committee). To be able to photograph the 1984 Olympics under the contract I had to give up Nikon for Canon and Kodak film for Fuji film.

When the olympics were over, one year after the final ceremony, I could then switch back to Nikon. Did I switch back? No. The reason I didn’t switch back was not the president, vice president, general manager or the U.S. CEO of Canon. It wasn’t because of shutter speed, aperture and quality. It was because of one person and his name is Rudy Winston.

Rudy Winston, in my opinion, is the greatest technical sales rep and all around maven that God put on this earth. Not only is he a great photographer, but from a technical standpoint there is nothing he does not know. He could take an idiot like me and teach me about a particular feature which would allow me to make much better photographs. When I tell you I know 5% of what Rudy knows about all aspects of cameras, lenses, accessories, etc. I mean it. The man is a genius, and with all of his talent he has one thing that is small, and that’s his ego. With all of his great talent, he has a small ego. If you needed help at midnight he’d be there to help you. If you had a major assignment and you needed to borrow a 2nd 600mm, he’d be there to lend it to you. He could teach you small, little things that would make your photography so much better, and there are other times where he could teach you HUGE things that would actually make the photograph. I genuinely believe what took Canon Cameras from 2nd or 3rd place and made them 1st place was Rudy Winston. Knowing the photographic companies the way I do, I also know that whatever Rudy was earning, it should have been magnified tenfold.

You would think that the higher-ups of Canon would promote Rudy to a senior Vice President. It would really make sense. So what did they do? They cleaned house because they didnt like the numbers and let go approximately 1,200 people throughout the world, and Rudy was one of them. What a travesty! Terrible, stupid, and unnecessary. Will it affect their future sales? Absolutely!

When I decided to move from Canon over to Sony, and before I did this, I called Rudy. I said, Rudy, we’ve been together since late 1983 to 2019, it’s time for me to make a change. He didn’t try to talk me out of it. He understood why I was doing it and that it would be better for my photography to move to Sony.

We maintain our friendship, still today. Do I still love him? Absolutely! At the moment, I can no longer reach him. What I’m about to say, which may or may not be true, he’s so devastated. He changed his phone number, emails, etc. All I want to tell him is how great he is.

If anyone reads this blog and is part of the photographic business, if you want a #1 man, find Rudy Winston and hire him. He’ll take you from wherever you are now to a much better place.

Rudy, I hope to hell you read this, cause I’d love to talk to you.

My go-to person at Sony is an old friend from Dynalite, Jason Etzel. Jason is cut from the same cloth that Rudy Winston is cut from. Yes, he knows 500 times more about Sony than I ever will, and when I have a problem he’s right there to bail me out.

At this point, I should say something. 20 years ago, I thought I knew EVERYTHING about photography. Fast forward to 20 years today, not so much. It’s almost like I’m starting over again and I’m 16 years old. It’s a brave new world.

Jason, I couldn’t finish this blog without mentioning you. I think I’ll start rereading George Orwell’s 1984 for the 6th time.

See below some photos from JoAnne’s and my on-going Autumn/ Winter Art Exhibit at Forest Hall Studios and Gallery on opening night. The name of the Show is Side By Side.

The address is 214 Broad Street, Milford, PA. Hours 11-5 on Saturdays, 11-3 on Sundays or by Appointment.