Jump to content

The Friends of Mike Dixon Fund is officially open and accepting contributions!!!


jackflesher

Recommended Posts

Okay. Here's the scoop... Yesterday I posted a FS for my 75 Summilux. Mike Dixon made a suggestion I trade it to him for some pics of his ladies (in jest). At least one person suggested it might be worth it just to see more of his incredible images.

 

<p>

 

Well, it appears that suggestion is taking on a life of its own. At present I have received a few anoymous monetary pledges from participants on this forum to assist Mike in obtaining this lens. In that spirit, I thought it was only right that I officially open this up to the entire group. I don't know where it will all lead, but there are enough of us here that appreciate his work that this could be interesting to watch!

 

<p>

 

If you are interested in participating, please email me offline with your pledge for Mike. Your name and contribution will be kept confidential unless you request otherwise.

 

<p>

 

Regards,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How much are you "pledging" Jack ?

 

<p>

 

50% discount from your asking price for that lens you do not

use? Sure Mike would appreciate that.... !

 

<p>

 

When you commit to something of the kind, I'll glaldy help

sponsorise Mike's purchase myself. Otherwise this could lead

some to detect a vague smell of scam.

 

<p>

 

Guys : I have a Nocti for Mike, gimme 2,500 USD and he gets the

lens for free !

Link to comment
Share on other sites

<i>50% discount from your asking price for that lens you do not use?

</i>

 

<p>Jack, since you started this campaign you should be the one to

"front load" its chances of success. Simply make a <b>one-time,

non-tax deductible donation of your 75 Summilux</b> to

www.mikedixonphotography.com. I promise I'll make up the difference.</p>

 

<img src="http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/tsmileys/d.gif">

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jacques: It is really none of your business, but I pledged $100. Keep

in mind there are two individuals who are happy to pay my already low

full price. I offered this lens to this group at that low price

because I thought it would be put to good use here. Apparently, a few

other folks think Mike is the best one to put it to use.

 

<p>

 

John: This is NOT going to qualify as a tax-deductible donation, at

least in the states.

 

<p>

 

Margaret: I certainly understand your point of view, and do not blame

you one bit.

 

<p>

 

Everybody else: If you don't want to take this seriously, fine. But a

few have. If this post keeps going down this track, I'll pull the

plug and sell the lens to one of the two waiting buyers.

 

<p>

 

Regards,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Humbly suggest that party selling an object is not really the best

party to set up a "fund" asking other people to contribute for the

purchase of said object on behalf of a third party.

 

<p>

 

If we all feel that Mike (who has not asked for anything of the sort)

should be helped purchase some equipment, why not help him

get it new ?

 

<p>

 

I would contribute to such a Mikeathon, 'cause I also enjoy his

work, and am thankful for him sharing it on this list.

 

<p>

 

Again, guys, I have a few bits and pieces I do not use, why don't

you all gimme some money so that I can send those to great

photographer Rob ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can't make head or tail of this. Mike Dixon is a working

photographer. Presumably if he needs some lenses he'll just go out

and buy them. He knows what he needs and how much he can recoup his

investment in equipment and materials. As far as I recall, he prefers

the older design lenses anyway! What is this all about?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow! This is certainly unexpected (but highly entertaining). Maybe I

should make more jokes about people exchanging their equipment for my

photos.

 

<p>

 

First, thanks to everyone who has offered to make a contribution.

It's quite flattering (and surprising). I didn't really expect

anything more than a few light-hearted exchanges in response to my

"offer" to Jack. And in the spirit of keeping this light-hearted, no

matter what the final result, I'll try to address the issues raised

honestly (if not entirely seriously).

 

<p>

 

My "private collection," such as it is, doesn't contain any photos

that are significantly more explicit than what I've posted. I'm

willing to show most of my stuff to anyone who'll look it--the

"private" photos tend to be of people and moments that have special

meaning to me, not ones that are any "juicier" than the rest. Your

contributions will not unlock my secret porno vault because it simply

doesn't exist . . .

 

<p>

 

I haven't said anything about going a photo shoot, but it doesn't

sound like a bad idea. You'll have to be on your very best behavior,

though--you have to treat the models with respect no matter how much

you contribute!

 

<p>

 

As far as I can tell, Jack's offer is entirely sincere (and quite

generous). If, however, he just collects money and deosn't send me

the lens, I'll lead the pack to hunt him down and bust him up.

 

<p>

 

I'd be happy to send print(s) to those making a significant

contribution as a show of my appreciation. The b&w stuff is custom

printed on fiber paper; color stuff is inkjets from an Epson 1270. I

don't have releases for all of my street stuff (only for some), but

just about any of the model work is fair game.

 

<p>

 

Rob, I am working, but not as much as I'd like lately (photography

and another business interest have taken a recent downturn). I

couldn't justify buying another expensive lens right now, though I'd

be happy to use it as well as display images for and provide prints to

those who let me get my hands on it! I do like old lenses, but some

of the major reasons for liking them are lower cost, not-so-intense

sharpness, and a level of wear that makes it psychologically a bit

easier to take them out knocking around at bars, on the street, in the

park, etc. Jack's 75 is exactly the type of used lens I typically

look for--if my current finance were in better shape, I would have

made him a real offer to begin with.

 

<p>

 

Margaret, while I do have photos of men, most of them are not sexy

model material--mostly street photos and promo shots. There simply

aren't as many men looking for modeling photos, and, to be honest,

they don't spark my creativity nearly as well as women do. But just

to show that I'm not apathetic to your concerns, here's a promo shot

of an artist friend of mine. He's a very nice guy, and single. ; )

 

<p>

 

<img src="http://mikedixonphotography.com/gregpromo2.jpg">

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Friends, Lurkers and Cynics:

 

<p>

 

It is my pleasure to announce the fund-drive is now officially

closed, as all monies have been duly pledged. Thanks to all who

participated in bringing this event off -- due to your generousity I

expect we will see many more of Mike's extraordinary images!

 

<p>

 

Regards,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

<i>Friends, Lurkers and</i> <b>Cynics</b>.

 

<p>

 

Jack, I think most of us have at least a visceral appreciation of

Mike's portfolio. I for one find Mike a very considerate and

professional photographer. I once emailed him on an issue and it was

answered in a forthright fashion. Although Mike's gendre is something

that I don't think I'll be pursuing his images score top marks for

that style. I would like to contribute (<i>although MY finances are

also quite disheveled around tax season</i>) however the $$$$ amount

would at best be <i><b>gestural</i></b>. However, if Mr. Dixon feels

like <b>borrowing</b> my 75 to get a feel for it then he is more than

welcome to since my bodies are with Gerry for a few more weeks (by my

reckoning). That and I still have the 35/50 combo to toy with...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jack,

 

<p>

 

I too would like to contribute to the Mike Dixon fund. I have learnt

a lot of things from this website and am grateful to the many

generous contributors of techniques and ideas, and many of Mike's

photographs are stunning, to say the least. I am but a novice, and

feel that what transpires here is like attending a master class, for

FREE. It's not about the money, but I owe a great debt to this

site. Since we all live in nameless regions, I thought what you did

was a great idea. I know it started as a joke, but what the hell, it

worked.

 

<p>

 

I don't know how many contributors you have in your secret black

book, but count me in for an average amount. Are you using the Dutch

auction method of assigning pledge amounts? Just curious.

 

<p>

 

Thanks again for the generous idea.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

John:

 

<p>

 

You need not make any gesture for the loan of your lens. Mike will

have his own to play with by week's end. If you want to make a

gestural monetary contribution, by all means, feel free to do so.

There were a few of us who wanted to make this happen, and agreed to

pony up the shortfall. Any contribution made will offset that

shortfall. Totally up to you, but of course you'll have to trust that

I distribute your money fairly to participants that want to remain

anonymous.

 

<p>

 

Vikram: I'll email you offline with details. Thank you --

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...