Angel Ahmed's Posts
Fancy Computer Cameras
I remember my father saying to me "go work for Kodak so you can teach me how to use those new fancy computer cameras."
My father, a successful businessman and entrepreneur, grew up in the 1940's. A time where a gallon of gas was 11 cents, the internet was a fairy tale and his Kodak 35mm Camera was top of the line technology. He is from the old school "where things weren't so easy, you had to actually pick up a book and read to get information, now you just Google everything!"
Most of my father's generation is apprehensive to the technical changes in the world. Most don't even own a digital camera, because they don't understand how simple they are to use. When I got him the Kodak Easy Share Camera and docking station, his first question was "Don't I need a computer to make this thing work? Once I showed him how easy it was to use and that he could take, view, edit and print his own photos without a computer he was an instant fan! And when my father likes a product immediately the whole world knows about it. He showed the entire neighborhood his new toy, and his tag line "you don't need a computer to print your own photos!" He is the best sales representative we have and at no cost!
Himalayan mountains view from Hunza, Pakistan - taken by my father
Cousin Patel parachuting in theHimalayan mountains - taken by my father
Now he is a pro at using fancy computer cameras. Taking photos of his travels and experiences is a new adventure. Everywhere he goes he is taking photos or making videos. Yes, he learned how to make his own videos using my Kodak Zi6, oh boy! I eventually had to teach him how to use the computer. Now he spends hours uploading photos and emailing his friends, sharing his experiences with the world. Now along with his story telling he has his own gallery of photos that he took with his fancy Kodak Computer Camera!
My father, a successful businessman and entrepreneur, grew up in the 1940's. A time where a gallon of gas was 11 cents, the internet was a fairy tale and his Kodak 35mm Camera was top of the line technology. He is from the old school "where things weren't so easy, you had to actually pick up a book and read to get information, now you just Google everything!"
Most of my father's generation is apprehensive to the technical changes in the world. Most don't even own a digital camera, because they don't understand how simple they are to use. When I got him the Kodak Easy Share Camera and docking station, his first question was "Don't I need a computer to make this thing work? Once I showed him how easy it was to use and that he could take, view, edit and print his own photos without a computer he was an instant fan! And when my father likes a product immediately the whole world knows about it. He showed the entire neighborhood his new toy, and his tag line "you don't need a computer to print your own photos!" He is the best sales representative we have and at no cost!
Himalayan mountains view from Hunza, Pakistan - taken by my father
Cousin Patel parachuting in theHimalayan mountains - taken by my father
Now he is a pro at using fancy computer cameras. Taking photos of his travels and experiences is a new adventure. Everywhere he goes he is taking photos or making videos. Yes, he learned how to make his own videos using my Kodak Zi6, oh boy! I eventually had to teach him how to use the computer. Now he spends hours uploading photos and emailing his friends, sharing his experiences with the world. Now along with his story telling he has his own gallery of photos that he took with his fancy Kodak Computer Camera!
Behind the Picture
As I walked through the busy streets of Midtown Manhattan, on my way to Rockefeller Plaza, I gazed out over the infamous sunken skating rink, through the United Nations Member flags lining the plaza, up at the towering GE building. Consumed with wonder and excitement, I knew I was walking into it was an opportunity of a lifetime. It was my first day as an Operations Manager for Kodak. I was working for one of the largest and most prestigious companies in the world. An innovator in technology, photography, filming, and imaging, Kodak represented more than just stability and values, it represented the future, my future. My awe and splendor quickly turned to anxiety and apprehension as I realized my success depended on my ability to lead a young and very inexperienced group of photographers towards one shared goal. It was at this point, I realized my position, as an Operations Manager was not about developing pictures and images, it was about developing people.
Behind the pictures and behind the technology, are people. At Kodak Event Imaging Solutions, as Kodak photographers, we take great pride in sharing in some of the happiest moments in our customers' lives. We are responsible for creating and capturing memories and moments for people all over the world. This is a critical element of Kodak's core and promise to the consumer. We represent Kodak's philosophies and share Kodak's ideals in creating change in the world. Kodak represents my team and I as much as we represent Kodak. Behind the pictures are teams of photographers, sales associates, technological experts, and software developers, all dedicated to ensuring that our customers receive their captured moments. Each and every photograph and image are treated as the important treasures they are. We all realize once these moments have passed, they can no longer be captured again. That's why we pay such meticulous attention to detail, positioning, lighting, equipment, and personality as it all contributes to the quality of the image and reverence of the moment. These are important moments, intimate moments, historical moments, Kodak moments!
Now, five years later, as a District Manager overseeing the entire Northeast, I look back at my experiences at Kodak. My most significant accomplishment is not the growth of the region, but the growth of my team. Sharpening my abilities to teach and lead some of New York's best and brightest has given me greater satisfaction than I ever could have achieved through recognition and promotion. My team drives me as much as I drive them. I take personal pride in their accomplishments and share the accountability for their failures and losses. I've watched them grow, I've watched them mature, I've watched them leave, and I've watched them blossom. We all take pride in the opportunity to represent a company with core values that provide us a purpose, a goal, and something to aspire to. This is what it means for us to work for a company like Kodak. Leading my team has led me to discover things about myself that I never knew existed. In turn, I find myself eager to share my knowledge, knowing that I have helped so many find their passion and desire about life. They too will seek to make others' lives more enjoyable and our customers' experiences more gratifying. This is our contribution in making a difference in the world; by making a difference in the lives of our customers; by capturing memories, preserving moments, and fostering good will. I realize now Kodak is not just my future, Kodak is our future.