Zooming in and out while on a tripod can create quite some cool effects. Here are a few examples:

The Midtown Manhattan skyline in black and white:

Above and below: two images of Midtown Manhattan, captured while zooming in/out while on a tripod. I called them “Midtown Manhattan in B&W” and “in W&B” :-).

The Freedom Tower. Lower Manhattan:

Above and below: The Freedom Tower (in blue, a reminder of the blue Tribute Lights that illuminate the City each year on/around the 9/11 anniversary), and also surrounded by city lights (below):

The Last Light over Lower Manhattan, during Pride Month (hint: the rainbow color lights in the Freedom Tower antenna)

The Last Light over the City, in b&w and color:

Sometime last year or so, a small book publisher asked if they could use this Last Light image (posted above) for the cover of an upcoming book. I oftentimes design book covers and license my images to be used as/for book covers/design (for money, ’cause we all need to eat and pay our bills). Yet, being that this was a small publisher that I’ve been following on social media for a long time, and sometimes even interacted with, because many of their books are inspired by or capture a community I support and have been an ally of for most of my life, I decided to do a good deed and agreed to offer the image in return for credit and a mention of when the book is out, in order to promote it and its cover. Also, as it often happens, I was hoping that I could actually do more work for the said publisher, for money of course, especially since the publisher had reached out to me in the first place.

Sadly, I’ve never heard back. I did follow up, several times, but to no avail. I don’t know why or what happened and, naturally, can only imagine the worst-case scenario. It’s only normal.

In these kinds of disappointing and unfortunate situations, oftentimes the person doing the good deed is being blamed. Never the ones who take advantage of the good deed. Maybe it’s time to change this kind of thinking.

This kind of experience proves two things:

• no good deed goes unpunished, ever, and you’ll be taken advantage of, and then blamed for your goodwill, too
• when we “zoom in” on potential clients (even serious ones), and discover ugliness and unworthiness, it’s best to zoom out, all the way, and stay away. Because they’re not worth it!

Of course, this kind of behavior (of those who are taking advantage of other people’s goodwill) does not help other small businesses and nonprofits who do appreciate the help and actually promote the work they receive as a good deed. This kind of behavior also gives a bad name and reputation (and for no reason at all) to the communities these particular (small) businesses say they support. Again, not cool!

As always, thanks for stopping by.

Alina Oswald