Thank You, Langston Hughes
Today is my last day as a Microsoft employee.
Way back in high school (or maybe even earlier) I read a poem by Langston Hughes called “A Dream Deferred”. I would think of this poem often when I pondered dreams I wanted to turn into reality. For example, it was on my mind when I considered whether I should get my private pilot’s license or wait until it “made more sense”. I followed that dream and got my license twelve years ago (and now hopefully I’ll actually have the time to start flying again).
Taking a job at Microsoft fulfilled a dream I had since I started attending college. I wanted to become a programmer at Microsoft, but I assumed my dream of working for Microsoft died when I decided to drop out of college and focus on my computer programming work. Ten years later Microsoft recruited me, allowing me to realize a dream I thought I had lost forever.
Today, having pursued that dream, I am changing course to follow a dream that has loomed even larger in my mind for many years (and a dream I did pursue briefly before going to Microsoft). I’ll spend my time working to build success writing, teaching, speaking, and consulting, all around the topic of digital photography and imaging. I’ll also have more time to actually take photos! These are the things I’m passionate about, and I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue them and (hopefully) be successful at them.
I’m looking forward to the challenges and achievements that lie ahead, and appreciate all of you who have been along for the ride thus far. I have a feeling it’s about to become a much more exciting ride!
The picture here, by the way, is a photo of a bunch of inflatable balls emblazoned with the Windows logo, floating in “Lake Bill”, which was visible outside the window of my first office at Microsoft.
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June 13th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Best of luck, Tim. We’ll be excited to hear about your journey and continued success.
Keron
June 13th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Congratulations and best wishes to you. Take some time for you, and take lots of pictures, too. I love hearing from you everyday on DDQ and hope that you can continue to do that, but under your terms.
All the best!
June 13th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Tim, Congratultions on being able to follow your dream, again! I look forward to all the wonderful things you’ll do with more time to spend on your photography and related topics. You’ve been a terrific source of information and I’m sure will be even more of one in the future. Good luck!
June 13th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I’m very happy for you. Not everyone gets to follow his/her dreams. Best of luck in your future endeavors.
Chas
June 13th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Congrats Tim. Speaking from the perspective of a retired guy who also had a “good ride,” its great to hear that you are keeping the adventure going. My occasional interactions with you at Los Osos and while you were in Redmond were fun and I’m looking forward to the next time and place our paths cross. Good luck & best wishes. -Art
June 13th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Here’s you and Langston…I’m raising a martini to you both.
He was one of my favorite poets too…
Persuing your wild moon will inspire us all.
June 13th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
How fun, as you continue to do things you enjoy - it’s not called ‘work’ then. Always enjoy reading your daily DDQ updates, you explore such a variety of digital imaging & photoshop topics. And your info/answers make sense too, which is a plus.
June 13th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Ditto the other comments, Tim. We send our best wishes!
June 13th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Tim, Microsoft is losing a strong advocate for professional photography. I appreciate all that you’ve done at Microsoft, but am even more excited to see all of the good you will do for digital imaging on your own. We’re fortunate to have a digital guru like you guiding the rest of us. And I do hope you take your own advice and actually get back to having more fun shooting.
Best wishes,
Mark
June 14th, 2008 at 7:11 am
At-A-Boy !
June 14th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Congratulations for deciding to follow your dream and best wishes for all your endeavors. I’ll be looking forward to the new books and improved DDQ! — Judy
June 14th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Kudos…
When we walk to the edge
of all the light we have
and take the step into the
darkness of the unknown,
we must believe that
one of two things will happen….
There will be something
solid for us to stand on
or we will be taught to fly.
Patrick Overton
June 15th, 2008 at 12:57 am
It probably seems like a step into the wilderness, Tim, but have no fear - better things by far lurk in the path of one who has the courage to go it alone. All the luck in the world.
P.S. Hope to catch you during your South African visit.
June 15th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Hey Tim
All the best in the next chapter… look forward to seeing more of your work/influence in digital imaging.
Brent
June 17th, 2008 at 3:10 am
Hi Tim,
Sounds like an exciting time. I think that a number of folks have already benefitted from your work; I look forward to seeing whatever is next.
All the best,
Dale
June 21st, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Always a bit of a “Am I doing the right thing?’ type of hiccup. But I think if anyone is up to the challenge Tim, you are. I can only imagine all the wonderful people you’ll meet and all the invigorating experiences you might have missed.
Good for you.
June 22nd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Tim your departure is a great loss for Microsoft. They have the potential to do much more in the pro photo market. But without strong individual contributors who understand the market, they will never reach that potential. Their chances just got a little worse.
I look forward to watching your success grow. Good luck, and remember, chance favors the prepared mind!
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:31 am
best wishes Tim. I am sure you are stepping along with your dreams, determination and work must have resulted in this.