EDITOR'S LETTER

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS SEPTEMBER 2019 VOL. 95 NO. 9

800-543-5432 www.arizonahighways.com

GIFT SHOP: 602-712-2200

prospects, but how to reach them?” He went on to discuss the pros and cons of having an agent. Like most contributors, then and now, he chose to skip the middleman. “While there are notable exceptions, many freelancers, including myself, feel they are better off dealing direct with their customers.” Ray Manley was one of the exceptions.

“There are two courses open to the would-be professional,” he wrote. “To submit direct to the magazines and other markets on approval, or to turn his material over to an agent, who usually charges about forty percent of the gross. This fee sounds like a lot, but it will ensure more sales and usually at a better price than the inexperienced individual can command for himself.” The strategy seemed to work. Among other things, his agent was able to repurpose a lot of Mr. Manley’s images. One was a photograph titled Land Without Beginning or End, which featured a Navajo couple named Willie and Happy Cly, who rode their horses more than 40 miles to get to the photo shoot.

“After it appeared in Arizona Highways in December 1954,” Mr. Manley wrote, “my agent placed it with Trans World Airlines for use on a scenic calendar. Then, on the strength of the Arizona Highways display, National Geographic bought a similar view taken the same day. This picture will continue to have a market value for years to come, after the provisions of the ‘first rights’ sales have been fulfilled.” He had some thoughts on dealing with editors, too. “Just keep in mind that the editor who examines your transparencies will not be very interested in how long it took to get the picture, or the tribulations you suffered for the shot, or what make of camera you used, or how much you paid for the film. The result and its application to his plans are alone significant to him.” True. But it was Chuck Abbott, another early photographer, who offered what might be the best advice. “The would-be photographer,” he wrote, “should start by taking the photographer’s oath. Is there one? Not that I know of, but if there were, it should go something like this: ‘From this day forward I hereby do swear that I shall arise when all others are sleeping. I shall dash from my warm house without flinching and I shall drive miles before sunrise. I shall be ready to shoot at sunup, and if the scene is not best rendered at this time, I shall return home unperturbed. I shall tramp the mountains in chilblain weather and I shall stagger over the desert in midsummer. I shall do without water because I shall not be able to carry a canteen in addition to my other equipment. I shall inform my wife of my absence from dinner and I shall return home after a glorious sunset. The next day when I have developed the results of my labors, I shall maintain equanimity of soul and expression when I find the results far short of my expectations. I shall not browbeat my models. I shall not brag to my friends. Yea, verily will I share the secret of my locations with my competitors.’” He was being facetious about the secret locations. Photographers are big on covering their tracks — like cattle rustlers and the inventors of Coke. We do, however, know where Jack Dykinga’s burrowing owls live. In another email to Jeff, he let us in on the secret. He also shared his collection of images. Five minutes later, we bought the story. Of course we did.

Arizona Highways® (ISSN 0004-1521) is published monthly by the Arizona Department of Transportation. Subscription price: $24 a year in the U.S., $44 outside the U.S. Single copy: $4.99 U.S. Call 800-543-5432. UPDATED PRIVACY POLICY: Our privacy policy has been updated to reflect the new changes in data protection laws, including the EU's General Data Protection Regulations. To read our updated privacy policy, go to www arizonahighways.com/privacy-policy. Subscription correspondence and change of address information: Arizona Highways, P.O. Box 8521, Big Sandy, TX 75755-8521. Periodical postage paid at Phoenix, AZ, and at additional mailing office. Canada Post international publications mail product (Canadian distribution) sales agreement No. 40732015. Send returns to Quad/Graphics, P.O. Box 456. Niagara Falls ON L2E 6V2. Postmaster: Send address changes to Arizona Highways, P.O. Box 8521, Big Sandy. TX 75755-8521. Copyright© 2019 by the Arizona Department of Transportation. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The magazine does not accept and is not responsible for unsolicited materials.

www.arizonahighways.com

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS JULY 1942 LETTERS [email protected]

Lawrence Cheek said he wanted to write an article on architecture, “hopefully better” than he did 35 years ago. He certainly achieved that goal! I know this not because I researched his previous articles — although his use of the term “Taco Deco” made me want to — but because nothing could be better written than his two recent articles [Spanish Accent and Different by Design, July 2019]. This is word crafting at its finest. His view of architectural trends is clear and concise, and his way of describing them is a joy to read. If he builds sailboats as perfectly as he writes, this man is turning out superbly crafted masterpieces!

wish to applaud you for your thoughtful response to the reader unhappy about restaurant information [Letters to the Editor, July 2019]. I agree with your editorial decision, and one must always remember it's impossible to please 100 percent of the people 100 percent of the time. I have appreciation for the change in the magazine since I was a child reading my aunt's copies. I love restaurant information, especially as a traveler from Washington who loves discovering small mom-and-pop eateries.

greatly enjoy both reading and looking at Arizona Highways each month. I've learned a great deal about places I've been and places I'd like to go. The recent issue on Arizona architecture is no exception. But I was sorely disappointed when I read the essay by Lawrence Cheek [Spanish Accent, July 2019]. In an article by an architectural critic in an issue devoted to architecture, while waxing rhapsodic about the Tlaquepaque center in Sedona, nary a mention was made about Design Group Architects, the firm responsible for the design and execution of the project. Design Group has been an integral part of the Sedona community fabric for over 30 years. Omitting mention of them in this article is a disservice, in my view.

ince I will be 86 in September and have had numerous strokes, I don't often write to the editor of a magazine, but your magazine is outstanding and I wanted to tell you how much my friends here in the U.S. and around the world enjoy your magazine. I personally have enjoyed Arizona Highways for a few years and very much look forward to receiving my issue every month. Then I send those issues to my friends in Australia, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Poland and Russia.

he June 2019 issue of Arizona Highways shows a photograph on page 48 that's described as “members of the construction team” of the Gallery in the Sun. Since there's no identification of the people in the picture other than Ted DeGrazia, I'd like to fill in a couple of blanks of some of the people I remember. Left to right are Howard Torkelson, construction supervisor; Ted DeGrazia, artist; and Marcos Romero, construction worker. The next four individuals I do not remember, but the last two are Pinto (I only remember his nickname) and myself, Fred Brown, construction worker. The picture was taken by Tucson photographer Dick Fontaine. I'd also like to mention Juan Javier, who also worked on the team but did not make the picture.

ave you ever been in church and felt like the pastor is talking directly to you? Your April 2019 issue was just like that. I went to school from first grade to eighth grade at Kenilworth, just outside of Coolidge. I know the bakery you featured [Mediterra Bakehouse]. We also went to Oracle and picked bellotas [An Easy Nut to Crack]. They're so good. And the chiltepines [Great Balls of Fire]... boy, they are hot. Grandpa John Aguirre used to say: “If you eat chiltepines, you'll grow hair on your toenails.” I am 85 years young, still eating chiltepines and checking my toes.

ust after my graduation from Purdue University, my friend Harald and I drove through Arizona on our way to California. I was so impressed by the landscape and scenery that I hoped to see more of Arizona. Thirty-five years later, I rented a vacation condo in Scottsdale. Now, I am an owner of a condo in Fountain Hills, and I enjoy every day I can spend in Arizona. Thank you for an exceptionally good magazine. I always anxiously await the new issue. The June 2019 issue, with all the interesting paintings, is fantastic. However, I miss something in your magazine. Arizona has so many special towns with a lot of history, architecture, beautiful streetscapes and interesting people. I will very much appreciate seeing future articles covering these towns.

contact us If you have thoughts or comments about anything in Arizona Highways, we'd love to hear from you. We can be reached at editor@ arizonahighways.com, or by mail at 2039 W. Lewis Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85009. For more information, visit www.arizonahighways.com.