Eat The Darkness

Damn! I knew things were bad over the past year or so, but not this bad.

A new video and online campaign by Brave New Films called “Sick For Profit,” above, or at  sickforprofit.com, features St. Petersburg Times photojournalist Steve Coddington who I wrote about in a September 7th post here on Eat the Darkness. Check out the video and learn more about Steve’s struggle to provide care for his wife here.

Photograph Copyright © 2009 Kenneth Dickerman, All Rights Reserved

New York-based freelance photographer Kenneth Dickerman, a friend of mine since our days together in the photo-j program at the University of Missouri, is offering a selection of prints for sale through his newly created blog “Due to a combination of people asking to buy prints and a lack of actual work these days.”

Photograph Copyright © 2009 Kenneth Dickerman, All Rights Reserved

Kenneth is a strong-minded, idealistic photojournalist who has always, as far as I can remember, done things his way and never wavered from his personal aesthetic and philosophy toward photography. Depending on how you look it at, this has been either a good thing or a bad thing. It might not be as lucrative, hence the print sale, but I tend to side with the former. He’s stayed true to himself, maybe to his own fault financially, but true nonetheless.

We all know the current state of the economy and publishing world have wrecked havoc on all freelance and staff photographers regardless of their area of speciality. In fact, it’s hurt almost everyone, no matter what line of work you’re in. Money is tight, and for some, not even there. But if you have a little chunk of change to spare and would like to help out Kenneth and receive a print of your choosing in return, go check out his work and decide if you like what you see. And remember, if one of his selected images don’t jump out at you, be sure to check out his website for more of his work. I’m sure he will work with you to make a purchase.

Photograph Copyright © 2009 Kenneth Dickerman, All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2009 Matthew Ratajczak, All Rights Reserved

I pulled into my parking space, opened the door, stepped out and saw this on the ground. My day got a little better.

St. Petersburg Times photojournalist Steve Coddington and his family need your help. I don’t know Steve, his wife Marian or his two children, but it doesn’t really matter, and it shouldn’t matter to you either.

Steve is in the battle of his life. Steve vs. CIGNA (his insurance provider). Steve’s wife Marian suffered a brain aneurysm last year. After spending months in various hospitals, Marian was transfered to an acute care hospital. Well, the insurance company eventually decided to not pay for the care and Steve took Marian home, taking on the full-time job of caring for his wife and their children. A lot of money has already been raised, but they could still use your help. Read more about it here, do the right thing and give what you can. Every little bit helps.

Health care reform NOW!