The Camera Companies Continue To Ignore Me And I Can't Figure Out Why?

Avenue of the Giants, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, California (2013) (click to enlarge)
Olympus E-M5, Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 lens @ 20mm; 1/3 sec. @ f/8; ISO 200

I wish the camera companies would finally recognize my world renowned artistic abilities, extraordinary talent, boundless energy and unlimited knowledge and bestow me with the honor of an official association.  Just think how much each would benefit?  When I reached out to each of the major camera manufacturers, here is what they told me.

Since I regularly use and praise my Olympus gear, I reached out to them first and asked to be an Olympus Visionary.  "Ha!" was the instant reply.  A company spokesperson went on to detail how I had no vision whatsoever and, in their judgment when looking at my work, I was blind to good photography!  "But, but, but...". I tried to defend myself.  They would have none of it.  Rejected!  Darn.

One room schoolhouse (click to enlarge)
Fujifilm X-T1; 15-55mm lens @ 16mm

Not being one to give up so easily and being a dedicated Fujifilm gear lover and user as well as writing extensively about my Fujifilm experiences over the past few years, I emailed Fujifilm and asked them if it was remotely possible for me to be a Fuji X-Photographer.  I told them it would be such an honor.  After much debate, I was told, they simply answered, "Y?"  Double darn.

I had been a Nikon shooter since 1974 until I went fully mirrorless a couple of years ago.  When I called Nikon and inquired, having over 40 years of Nikon experience, if I could be one of their Nikon Ambassadors, they responded by asking me, "You have no people skills. How could you be an ambassador for us?"  Shucks.  Stymied again.

New River in Virginia (click to enlarge)
Nikon D800E; 24-120mm f/4 lens

I wasn't finished.  As well as being a Nikon shooter over many, many years I also shot for several years with a Canon F1 and Canon F1n top of the linen film cameras.  Canon had some lenses I needed at the time so I used their system extensively in the past as well.  I contacted them asking if I could have the privilege of being a Canon Explorer of Light.  No dice, they replied.  I was too old to be an explorer of any kind and I would probably get hurt or drop their cameras into an abyss.  "What kind of example would that set," they asked?  They didn't want to risk it.  Not worth a lawsuit.  Failed once more.  Gotta keep trying....

I have owned a few Panasonic cameras since I went mirrorless and still use some of the superb Panasonic lenses with my micro 4/3 kit.  When I queried Panasonic if they would please just consider me for the title Lumix Luminary,  they gingerly responded by telling me, in so many words, that in their opinion I was quite a "dullard," was not very "bright" and could never rise up to the illuminated level they require of their representatives.  I'm now getting desperate, but I have to try at least one more time.

Finally, I've been really lusting for one of the new Sony A7RIIIs and a few of those new Sony G Master lenses as I think that is probably where lies the future.  When I reached out to Sony and asked what the possibility is for me being a Sony Artisan, they, as one would expect, were kind in their response but told me I didn't have an artistic bone in my body.  No dice.  Oh well.  I give up.

Tulips showered by water (click to enlarge)
Canon G11

So, that is my plight.  I remain unwanted.  With world class talent, almost 50 years experience as a photographer, both professional as well as for pleasure and writing a well respected and informative blog, I can't get any company to recognize how valuable I would be to them as a promoter and salesman of their product.  Or Not! LOL.

Where do I go from here?  I'm now left with continuing to be only who I am, photographing for pure passion, never wavering in my love for all things photographic even after almost 50 years.  I'll continue to be an independent source of, hopefully, interesting information for my readers.  With a little humor thrown in at times as well.

For this 900th post on my blog, I guess I'll continue to share my thoughts and I hope, on occasion, each of you will find a little value in my words and ideas.

As for me, I guess I'm relegated to just being the best representative for the human race that I can be as that is probably the most important of all.  And, that ain't a bad role to play whatsoever!

(I hope you enjoyed this tongue-in-cheek monologue.  Fun to write)

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Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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