Ritz Camera files for bankruptcy; seeks $85m loan

Probably because they have the most outrageous prices on the planet.

I think it’s a sad day for the art of photography. No, I don’t think it hinges only on the migration to digital photography; it has all to do with managing change in the way we interpret beauty in light through a dark chamber. The way we share it, how we capture it, and how passionate we are about it. You think Monet or Van Gogh were painting to sell pieces of canvas for millions of dollars? That was landscape photography then and this is now. If you want to see a self taught master photographer's work, view a Peter Lik gallery. Words that only echo my own at times it’s scary. He wants to stop the world from spinning so fast, even for the briefest moment to share this great world around us.

First and foremost, in a tight economy that’s driven by consumer confidence, it’s the clear lack of disposable income. Just today I read an article on the New York based conference board. The consumer confidence index has fallen to its lowest point since its measure in 1967. Bottom line is food on the table as you can’t eat images.

This reminds me of a parallel conversation I had with Ernie Santosuosso, a former employee of the Boston Globe. Sure as heck I didn’t know him from Adam but I’m very much like him a talker. I also have wide ears for my elders as everyone should. The conversation ended about an hour and a half later. Well after my store had closed discussing writing, photography, and the many people he has met. He talked of a time when photography was celebrated as a mirror to his writing about sports, music and life. Really, Teresa Hanafin, you have to interview this guy and take his photos. The only thing constant in this life is change, in everything, and how fast we can adapt.

I spent the weekend digesting only several of his stories hanging with the Rolling Stones, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, and many more. The conversation ended the same way about the migration of newspaper to online media. What have we lost in this immediate society over the years. I have another link to newspaper media that I don’t even want to comment on. Let’s just say the lack of circulation means less reporting jobs in the Bay State.

“This is a trend in consumer electronics including specialty shops like Ritz. Not only the big guys, do you recall on RAW the article about smaller family shop closures.”

My final note on what this article missed on. The growing online gray market area, eBay, Amazon, Craigslist, and many more. Why doesn’t anyone mention that…? You can buy a lens online sometimes for half price. You can find a used camera 75 percent off, these prices do exist. Why do you think the government wants to start an online tax for goods transferred? People are like water they will find the lowest price in a tough economy. Why do people now thrive in a barter system? Why are small towns trying to print their own money in America?

My heart goes out to all those people who are losing their jobs in America; I have been there in different vocations now obsolete. Most of them on the front line are photographers forced to work in those places to make ends meet. Never give up on what you love at least maintain the art. I also find myself lucky knowing I only do it for me and my close friends. I will always push whatever I can to professionals who depend on that income.