The Way It Is

Sometimes you don't have it in you to smile for the camera.

Sometimes your mind is on other things--like bills and work and kids and the fact that there's way too much going on and too little time.

Sometimes you are just too tired to do anything at all.

Sometimes it's just the way it is. You hope against hope that things won't completely fall apart.

But then.

Sometimes everything changes and you have exactly what you need to keep going. Someone comments on your photo. Someone asks you to document their most important life event. Someone wants to help you build a house. Someone wants to make a difference. Someone says (a few thousand times over) that what you're doing is important. That you shouldn't go it alone.

And that's the way it is, too. At least, that's the way it is, out here on the wild, wild web. Where friendship and kindness so often translate into tangible, real world support. Aren't you glad, dear friends, this is where our road together bends?

+++++++++++++++++++++++

dedicated to our friends at JPG Magazine with so much love and hope.  we're wishing you the best.

Comments

[Charlane]

I do hope JPG carries on some how, some way. And yes, there are so many of you that make my day, everyday.

[kosenrufu mama]

i hope that can be a solution, i like JPG ! a wonderful spot for photography!

[Marcie]

Sad about JPG magazine.Hoping they might find a way to carry on what they started. T'was such a wonderful community.

[camerashymomma]

sometimes is right. sometimes those photos where your mind is on other things are the most real, most thought provoking photos that people really feel. and sometimes it's those emotions that keep the world spinning on axis. sometimes it's the little things. i've been without internet for a week and had heard rumors about JPG, then to wake to find it true, then to wake again to find that so many people have love out there to work on keeping it afloat. it gives me hope for many many things.

[Secret Agent Mama / Mishelle Lane]

I had just started to get active in JPG Mag. I do hope it is saved.

[alina]

A great photo....displays the nit and grit of daily living. And boy is there so much of the grit.

[kristin]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/3170951833/in/photostream/
took this late in morning, mostly trying to get a shot of the scarf i had spent the morning knitting. my hair was sticking up, bed-head still, unshowered, tired, my hair (though short) was feeling so long to me. after the shot i cut my hair shorter and showered. but i liked the glimpse at the morning me that only my family sees. real life.

[Lu]

Here's to seeing JPG magazine rise again. Good things like that never go away for very long.

[Bridge]

yes, yes! great post, thanks you.

[Jodyangel]

Well lets hope today they settle this and JPEG is saved. Its a wonderful resourse and very inspirational to me.

I noticed that in my photo's I don't usually have pics of me. Well you know..Im the one beHind the camera. And if I am
in the photo...well it better look NICE =D

So here I will go against the grain. Me. Straight out of bed this am. SP in my bedroom mirror.

Be nice now...lol

[Tracie]

This picture reminds me of one taken of me not long after my son was born. He was a very cranky and colicky baby and I was exhausted and miserable and I was feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. That really comes across in this picture and it makes my heart feel a little heavy this morning. I love the rawness of it.

[Lucy]

Strength in numbers, even if those number are found on the internet.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucindasummerville/3175854670/

[abbey]

Love this shot.... photos represent LIFE and this is life!!
:)

http://www.photoblog.com/abbeyh13/2009/01/03/

[Kristin]

I was so suprised and sad that JPG magazine is "retiring". It was what every photographer dreamed of being published in. Great post today. Very powerful.

[Puna]

I just clicked around JPG and I hope they stay around long enough for me to be a part of that community...

[kath]

My husband bought me a "hard" copy of JPG for a little Christmas treat ... I was so sad to read their email a few days later. This is a nice post, I think we're all feeling a little road weary these days.

[Angie]

Yes, I'm very glad! I just found Shutter Sisters at the end of 2008 (hard, hard 2008), but am so glad to have finally landed here. I'm also very sad that JPG is gone.

[Steph Wiese]

Make new friends but keep the old.

All for one and one for all.

http://stephwiese.squarespace.com/?SSScrollPosition=616

[Rachel Haynes]

such an eloquent and touching bit of writing.

[Sarah - Ji]

Thanks for posting this, Jen. I think there are many who would be encouraged by these words. Watching you rally the blogosphere to reach out and help others has been an inspiration to me.

xoxo

[Julie Alvarez]

Yes, we could all use a gentle push every once in a while...

[miz katie]

I was sad to read the farewell email, also. I had just rejoined jpg after being absent for a year or so. I wish them all success.

[Suvarna]

Yes so very glad. I hadn't heard of JPEG until last week, I hope that today will end well and it will continue.