Join/Renew   Currents Newsletter   Regional Resources   Document Library   Speaker's Bureau   President's Page   Member Survey   Membership Info	President's Message May/June 2004 The Bauer Legacy by Steve Maka, President The theme of this issue of Currents is the business of photography, and I had planned a fairly pithy President’s Letter to accompany it. But then I heard the tragic news of Erwin Bauer’s death and, a short time later, Peggy’s, and everything I had written felt amazingly trite. The Bauers were special people, not just because they were remarkable photographers, but also because they were remarkable people who never considered themselves celebrities. They easily could have. But the most important thing to Joe and Peggy was their craft, and they spent their joint careers pursuing it to the fullest. A byproduct of that pursuit was their well-earned respect in the photographic community and a lucrative career. In many other professional pursuits, the accolades of the Bauers and the other stars of our community would earn them rancor among their compatriots. But ours is a strange lot—we actually enjoy the company of our competitors! I can personally say that some of my best friends are the very people who often get the jobs I want or get published in publications I am pursuing. But they can say the same about me. What makes us all so odd? I don’t know, but I sure am not complaining. Maybe it’s the fact that our chosen career has so much to do with our inner talents, visions, and sensitivities that no one can really steal our thunder. And as nature photographers who are relegated to many lonely quiet moments, it’s nice to have company at 4:30 in the morning when the sun rises on a golden opportunity. I take some comfort knowing that Erwin and Peggy are reunited once again, and I will think about them on the next mountain peak I ascend. Back to President's Page         Site Index       Search       Disclaimers       Contact Us   North American Nature Photography Association 10200 West 44th Avenue, Suite 304 Wheat Ridge, CO 80033-2840, USA Phone: 303-422-8527 Fax: 303-422-8894 E-mail: info@nanpa.org   © 2001 All Rights Reserved