Quote o' the Day

"Opportunity is missed by most people
because it goes around dressed
in overalls looking like hard work."

This is a folk adage. It exists in many forms (different wordings) and is commonly attributed to a handful of different people, typically Thomas A. Edison, most likely because Edison was an inventor and magnate known to have worked hard for his successes. The adage was around in Edison's time but there is no evidence that he said it or even knew it. It didn't really become widespread (if it is) until much later. Forbes, which should know better, was the first to ascribe it to Edison, without citation.

But this is a solid quote, and one meant specifically about photography:

"Do your work."  —David Vestal

-

Mike

Original contents copyright 2023 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below or on the title of this post.)

Featured Comments from:

Mark Sampson: "I was lucky to have taken a week-long workshop with David Vestal back in 1985. His relentlessly sensible and low-key approach has stayed with me, and served me well, ever since." 

Comments

[Stan B.]

One thing is certain- Edison would have most definitely taken credit for it- as he did for a lot of other people's work.

[Kye Wood]

This post - and "A Picture A Day (PAD and PAW)" - TOP stuff! No pun. But... yes, TOP stuff.

It's nice to get some rays of sunlight through my mind to light up those dormant spaces that need the odd kick in the pants.

Well done that man!

[Max Cottrell]

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi used to say: "See the job, do the job. Stay out of the misery."

As a guiding principle for right living, it has served me well for fifty years

[KeithB]

I have also heard that genius is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.

[Jed]

I was lucky enough to do a week-long workshop with Trent Parke in 2012 and his advice was similar to David Vestal’s but expressed in a suitably Australian vernacular: “Shoot the shit out of it!”

[Robert yankus]

Henry Ford said:
"If you think you can or think you can't.
You're right"
Or something to that effect.

[Dave Jenkins]

As it says in the Bible, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might."

[calvin amari]

Torpor and sloth, torpor and sloth,
These are the cooks that unseason the broth.
Slothor and torp, slothor and torp
The directest of bee-line ambitions can warp.
He who is slothic, he who is torporal,
Will not be promoted to sergeant or corporal.
No torporer drowsy, no comatose slother
Will make a good banker, not even an author.

-- Ogden Nash

[MikeR]

Congratulations on being elected Speaker. Oh, wait ...

[Nope, I'm Johnston with a "T." I'm the Mayor of Denver. --Mike]