"Stephen ("Sazz") was a LRRP and sniper in Vietnam, 1968-9. He's a wonderful blend of strength and humor, with a fondness for life that manifests itself in many packs of cigarettes and an infectious laugh. I 'met' Stephen on renderosity 10 years ago, when I posted a notice that I was looking to collaborate with 3D artists who might be interested in having unique stock photos to work with. That posting triggered my getting actively into producing stock, and also changed Sazz' artwork. It's funny how small things really aren't so small when you look at them in terms of their long-term effect. Sazz has taught me one of the most important lessons ever about art. A couple of times he's sent me some of his works and asked me "what do you think?" and, honestly, a lot of the time I don't get what he's doing or it doesn't say much to me - and I used to do this goony-bird dance trying to figure out what to say when asked directly. So, one time I told Stephen, "it, uh, actually, doesn't um do very much for me." His response: "that's OK. I like it anyway." We've been talking about having him come out to visit me on the farm for a while, and finally got around to it. It was a nice couple of days of sitting on the porch bullshitting while Sazz smoked cigarettes one after another. When the summer sun started to slant across the fields one night at 'beautiful o'clock' I dug up some old Vietnam War-era fatigues and a boonie hat, and we wrapped one of my tactical rifles in mesh, and set out into the woods to do some portraits. I got this by circling in and out through the trees at a distance, popping out from behind cover and taking a shot at him. Suddenly, his posture changed, his back straightened, his chin dropped down and he shifted his grip on the rifle, and the years rolled back and the camera froze the result. Then we ambled back to the porch, the moment passed." - Marcus Ranum Those who enjoy reading other viewer's comments, keeping in mind deviantrt is more 'free-wheeling' in that area, can go here: http://mjranum.deviantart.com/art/Old-Snipers-173361281 Don't wanna go off site? No problemo, go here: http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=2087050&user_id=307993&member&np Photo by Marcus Ranum Thanks for viewing Semper Fi SAZ