An American [photographer] Abroad

Jocko · 10-01-2006

This made me laugh - from "Amateur Photographer", June 1, 1960

-

Cheers, Ian

Jamie123 · 10-01-2006

"Our own opinion is that the photographic interest of England could not be exhausted in three days."

Well, that's only one opinion.

lushd · 10-01-2006

Well I have been here nearly 40 years and I still haven't scratched the surface

Nikon Bob · 10-01-2006

That is a good one. They must be on a see Europe in 10 days vacation. Just not possible.

Bob

Jocko · 10-01-2006

It just brought such a lovely image to mind - straight from a comedy film of the time: I imagined Phil Silvers with a trilby hat, a suit of wonderfully miss-matched plaid and a Nikon F with a gigantic zoom... and "Inger-land Swings" playing in the background!

Happy days!

Cheers, Ian

FrankS · 10-01-2006

Good advice though, getting one of those Kodak Photographic sites of Briton maps. That, and looking for those "This is a Kodak Picture Opportunity" plaques!

Nikon Bob · 10-01-2006

Yea, the advice is about the only thing that is realistic.

Bob

VinceC · 10-02-2006

"Doing" Britain in three days. Sounds like he planned to make good time. What could be more quintissentially American than dashing across Europe?

dreilly · 10-02-2006

Well, that's precious! I'll have to put that in the Travel Photography Handbook I've been working on for my students that go abroad to "do" Europe. I'll put it under the heading of "photographer as consumer". Thanks Ian.

In defense of us hapless Americans, however, "doing" Europe (or any destination) is a way of thinking with deep European roots and can probably be found today on both sides of the pond. The European semester abroad so popular in the US today, for example, owes quite a bit to the "continental" trip many young British (of a certain higher class) took as a kind of finishing. They probably had more time to linger; but the idea of ticking off the essential sites I'm sure was there.

Also, Americans have terrible vacation benefits--and it was probably worse in the 50s and 60s, the age of the grey flannel suits and giving your all to the company. That could of been that poor guy's trip of a lifetime.

things to think about...

Jocko · 10-02-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreilly

In defense of us hapless Americans, however, "doing" Europe (or any destination) is a way of thinking with deep European roots and can probably be found today on both sides of the pond.

That's absolutely right Doug! Back in 1980 my brother and I casually decided to drive from New York to Boulder and back in around 12 days, following a very circuitous route. It all worked out on the maps and the milage charts back in the UK... But by the end of Day 3 we discovered our mistake, and spent the rest of our time largely in Kentucky and Ohio. Very nice too. We learnt more about America from mornings in small towns than we would have from hours of frantic driving.

I smiled at our friend from Illinois precisely because of the attitude you highlight, an attitude which breaks all national boundaries - the photographer as consumer, avoiding any touch of creativity as he "collects" the snaps in proper order - and for that superb last line in the reply

All the best, Ian!

Nikon Bob · 10-02-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreilly

Well, that's precious! I'll have to put that in the Travel Photography Handbook I've been working on for my students that go abroad to "do" Europe. I'll put it under the heading of "photographer as consumer". Thanks Ian.

In defense of us hapless Americans, however, "doing" Europe (or any destination) is a way of thinking with deep European roots and can probably be found today on both sides of the pond. The European semester abroad so popular in the US today, for example, owes quite a bit to the "continental" trip many young British (of a certain higher class) took as a kind of finishing. They probably had more time to linger; but the idea of ticking off the essential sites I'm sure was there.

Also, Americans have terrible vacation benefits--and it was probably worse in the 50s and 60s, the age of the grey flannel suits and giving your all to the company. That could of been that poor guy's trip of a lifetime.

things to think about...

I think that the stats for Americans regarding vacation time is even more grim today than in the 50-60s from the last batch I saw. I seem to recall that in the majority of married couples both worked. That was not likely the case before and really makes planning a vaction harder. Thing change but not always for the better.

Bob

Kyle · 10-02-2006

I've never even left the US. I'd love to "do" Europe in 10 days!

lynn · 10-02-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreilly

Also, Americans have terrible vacation benefits--and it was probably worse in the 50s and 60s, the age of the grey flannel suits and giving your all to the company. That could of been that poor guy's trip of a lifetime.

Like Doug says.

My daughter, just moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, found work quickly enough, but said she had to keep from falling-over-backwards-in-shock when she heard that she would have no right to holidays at all for the first year.

I, on the other hand, was hired for my new job last October, and was advised that I had ten vacation days left from my allowance for 2005- did I want to use them between than and year's end, or carry them over?

We're lucky here.

RML · 10-03-2006

As long as he rents a Bentley Supercharged '37, he should be able to do England in 3 days. IMO once you've seen the cliffs of Dove, you've seen everything.

IGMeanwell · 10-03-2006

My employment reluctantly allowed me 3 sick/vacation/personal (or as I call them... multipurpose) days after 6 months...

My brother's girlfriend living in Denmark just told me the other day many of her co-workers at Diesel Jeans were leaving the company because they couldn't carry over their 3 weeks vacation!

I asked well geez I mean shouldn't at least be rewarded for the years they have put into the company?

She said, well they barely worked here for a year and a half

I thought she was going to say that they were like 5 or 10 year employees?

Does Kodak still make picture maps anymore? I remember those being sold at the Great Escape (here in Lake George) maybe 10 years ago

Nikon Bob · 10-03-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by lynn

Like Doug says.

My daughter, just moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, found work quickly enough, but said she had to keep from falling-over-backwards-in-shock when she heard that she would have no right to holidays at all for the first year.

I, on the other hand, was hired for my new job last October, and was advised that I had ten vacation days left from my allowance for 2005- did I want to use them between than and year's end, or carry them over?

We're lucky here.

Looks like vacation rules/standards vary widely between countries and continents. I work in Canada as a unionized worker and vacation time is a negotiated item. The more years you have been employed the more yearly vacation you earn. After 30+ years with the company I have now earned the negotiated right to 7 weeks holidays but carrying any over to the next year is not usually possible. OTH if I were to start a new job with a new employer I would be back to the start and have to work a year before being entitled to 2 weeks holidays.

Bob