Editor's Letter
by Jim Caldwell

Mea culpa, folks. It's been a while since we've published the last WebLetter, Winter 2001 in fact, and I have to take most of the responsiblity. My duties with ASMP Houston's Foto Fest exhibit as well as my own show wiped out the Winter 2002 issue. The next two went by the board due to family illnesses, deaths and estate matters, so hopefully things are back to normal now. It hasn't been laziness, I promise, just so you know.

Transitions like the ones I've just dealt with have a way of putting our worries in perspective. When the "Charles Schultz's Philosophy Quiz" came in my e-mail the other day it certainly resonated with me. I hope it'll do something for you too.

This issue we inaugurate a new feature which I hope will be of interest to you -- the feature picture story. We can't repeat the Life Magazine stories of the 40's and 50's (we don't have their budget), but I feel a group of photos on a related theme will add to our little webzine. Although we all enjoy seeing our member's "greatest hits", none of our participants have felt comfortable putting all their eggs in the one basket of a single theme even though they were offered this option.

But I understand perfectly -- it's a little like taking a three picture portfolio out there. This is a generalist town. Most of us work in multiple arenas to keep bread on the table, so an alternate structure seemed appropriate. This will not recur every issue, but only as the work is made available to us. So let me know if you've got a project that needs to be seen by a larger audience. And it needn't be current either -- so check your files. Remember that, unlike a gallery show, you don't need to make any prints! Scan those negs or transparencies and e-mail 'em to us. Or it can be a work in progress, although I can't promise you all the public kudos you might like to finish it. Just about anything goes, so take a chance!

Finally, thanks to our very patient contributors, Mike Hart, Rodolfo Hernandez and Witold Skrypczak. Plus a huge thanks to all of you who participated in out Foto Fest exhibit. I was amazed at the number of photographers and level of activity for the hanging. Several of you, including Hall Puckett, Beryl Strewki, and Rocky Kneten, jumped in at the last minute to rescue the project -- wow and thanks. If I've forgotten anyone, please excuse. And another word of appreciation goes to the wonderful folks at Pro Photo who after some initial concern, went way beyond just providing a venue to giving a digital camera away as door prize. At least Thaine didn't win it!