Jim Cummins, distinguished photographer and teacher, on exhibit in New York

There are people who pass quickly through your life, but leave a long-lasting mark.  Jim Cummins, a distinguished photographer and formerly an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University, is one of those people. Soon, his work will leave an impression on many other people.

I saw Jim just over a dozen times during the spring semester of my sophomore year, during my weekly still photography class.  I had never used a camera before taking his class, but I've rarely not had one handy since then. He taught me how to compose a frame, set the right exposure, and time a shot. He explained why the ASA/ISO setting, f-stop and shutter speed matter. 

Cummins told his students not to bother getting a pricey camera, but instead showed us how to master any camera in order to freeze an image.  He also instructed us how to use chemicals, dark room equipment and special film processing techniques to enhance pictures.

The photography skills he taught me have served me very well through life as a chronicler of family and friends, special moments, and interesting sights.  Whether it's an event, vacation, business trip or simply a day in a city or countryside, I've almost always been there with an inexpensive camera, often taking priceless pictures. My two sons are major beneficiaries of what Cummins taught me, with many photo albums of memorable and forgotten times theirs for the taking.

I don't remember Cummins saying anything about the famous people he captured on film during his career.  He knew the class was for the benefit of his students, not his ego.  It wasn't until many years later, in fact, that I learned he had photographed Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and many other stars and garnered numerous accolades for his great work.

An exhibit, "Jim Cummins / Photos From The Golden Age of Rock," displaying some of his restored and preserved photos of 1960s and '70s music legends, will be held at the Baboo Gallery in the Flatiron district of New York City this spring.  For more information on this exhibit, which opens with a reception on April 10 at which Cummins will be present, go to CumminsCollection.ImageFortress.com or write to BabooGalleryEvents@gmail.com or call 212.727.2727.

Photo of Jim Cummins used with permission of Image Fortess Corp.

Advice to any professional, aspiring or experienced

During a career event last week at Monmouth University, where I'm an adjunct professor, I shared the following advice to a group of aspiring communication professionals:
1. Write well and often.
2. Be a creative problem solver.
3. Embrace emerging technologies.

I subsequently posted this advice on the discussion boards of LinkedIn's Corporate Communication, Communication Professionals and NJ Corporate Communicators groups, and asked, "What would you add to this list?"

The responses from around the world are quite interesting.  When reading them, I realize the advice is applicable for aspiring or experienced professionals.  Considering how important effective communication is for professionals in any field, nearly all the advice is useful to anybody!
 
Following are excerpts from the responses to my question on the LinkedIn discussion boards:

“4. Be organized and proactive 5. Listen, listen, listen”
—Lene Kruger

“listening to understand before responding is most definitely important”
—Koketso Molebale

“Carry paper and a pen everywhere and take notes... lots of them.”
—Stephanie Jones

“Be a team Player and have a inquiring mind.”
—Eunice Asantewaa Ankmah

“Strive to build great working relationships with people.”
—Dean Askin

“Put yourself in the shoes of your audience/target.”
—Shelly Smith

“Read! Read anything and everything.”
—Annabella A. Simbulan

“Be an authority on grammar and the use of punctuation. Seek first to understand the audience”
—Kaamini Reddy

“Have enough knowledge of what you're writing about. Do some research on the subject.”
—Mtanga Noor

“Volunteer to help small local nonprofits or professional association chapters with their communications needs.”
—Richard Buse

“Don't try to communicate to others what you don't understand yourself.”
—Mandy Vavrinak

“we need to stop thinking about what we want to communicate and first think about what we want to accomplish”
—Kathleen Baumgardner

“Get a strong background in business.”
—Jim Shaffer

“Never forget that what you say, show, write, do or communicate by any mean is not necessarily what everyone else hears, sees, needs, feels or understands.”
—Francine Bernier

“Take hints and learn good writing techniques from well written material whatever the subject or context.”
—Helen Jebson

“Understand your target audience and be specific on what you would like to communicate to them.”
—Megha Puri

“Develop empathy. Walk in the shoes of your audience.”
—Angela Mohtashemi

“Know who the stakeholders are and what their issues are.”
—Stephen J. Kasser

“Ask questions, think critically, identify the big picture, and word messages clearly.”
—Judy O’Brien

“Write well and often is a lifelong practice”
—Annemarie Russoniello