“The brave ones shot bullets; the crazy ones shot film.”
Joseph Longo
Founder International Combat Camera Association
The above is located in Camden, London, England—and the photo was taken by my much loved sister, Lucy—the sanest member of the family and the youngest.
THE ELDEST OF 12. Given that I am the eldest (there used to be twelve of us; but, sadly, four have died ahead of their time) I am vaguely disturbed by the implications of that qualification (which implies that I am probably the least sane)—but I expect I’ll get over it. The goods news is that if I am insane, I’m not aware of that fact, though I will fess up to being (mildly) eccentric. But then what creative type isn’t? Almost by definition, creativity renders oneself an outcast.
We are, I will admit—a restless breed. We question the status qo. We can’t help it. It’s part of our nature.
THE SUCCESSFUL MOTHER OF FIVE. Lucy definitely has an eye for a good picture—and, under different circumstances, might have chosen photography as a career—but instead has focused on being a very successful mother of five children (no easy task given the distractions and temptations of London).
I considered becoming a professional photographer myself, at one stage, but words won out. So why don’t I do both?
Because writing takes all my time and effort—and is entirely fulfilling just by itself.
HUGO FITZDUANE. Nonetheless, when I see a particularly evocative shot, I cannot help but recall the excitement, pleasure, and dangers that accompanied my various professional forays with a camera—and it is why I made the protagonist of most of my books, Hugo Fitzduane, a soldier turned combat photographer—who becomes involved in counter-terrorism by accident, and then finds he can never get free.
Actions have consequences, terrorists have long memories—and the means, methods, and motivations to kill. And they do so because they can.
For the rest of his life—no matter what he does—he will be a target. Or he will seize the initiative—and kill.
TO MY FRIENDS—TOO MANY TO NAME—BUT YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. YOU ENRICH MY LIFE
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