btgc
Veteran
still with scale focus, not ? At least, it doesn't hunts and always agrees with photographer where to focus on 😎
Aging And Photography
- Thread starter ruben
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still with scale focus, not ? At least, it doesn't hunts and always agrees with photographer where to focus on 😎
Tuolumne
Veteran
Try scale focus with a 75mm lens on an Epson R-D1 in a theater? I'm afraid it just doesn't work. Neither do my eyes - very well.🙁
/T
/T
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btgc
Veteran
That's true - our deceases dictate also our choice of gear, subjects and shooting habits. Agreed.
hugivza
Well-known
Ruben, you have raised an interesting question to which there are no real answers. For my part, as my physical faculties decrease, fortunately slowly over time, my relative wisdom seems to have increased such that I recognise some of my limitations. I have never had to deal with a debilitating illness or physical deformity and my mind and memory are still good. Whether I would recognise any decline in either is a moot point. I am fortunate in that I am still able work and also enjoy working.
My photography has become my personal window on the world: a means of self expression, of recording precious moments in time. Precious to me as they are reminders of people, places, events, or just feelings engendered by just "being there". Will I ever have enough photographs of say my grandchildren? Probably not, but the fact that I have some, is in itself way ahead of what many others might be able to enjoy.
I have gone back to using the cameras which I aspired to in my youth, but could never afford, and am building the darkroom which I always wanted, but never had time for. Perhaps age brings a Ludditic sense of clinging to the past. Whereas I have a DSLR, it only comes out on special occasions whatever they might be such as my son's wedding.
Ruben, whilst you breathe and think, you live. Enjoy it, as it may be a long way ahead of what comes second. Age brings with it the luxury of self reflection, but also gives the benefit of not taking yourself too seriously.
My photography has become my personal window on the world: a means of self expression, of recording precious moments in time. Precious to me as they are reminders of people, places, events, or just feelings engendered by just "being there". Will I ever have enough photographs of say my grandchildren? Probably not, but the fact that I have some, is in itself way ahead of what many others might be able to enjoy.
I have gone back to using the cameras which I aspired to in my youth, but could never afford, and am building the darkroom which I always wanted, but never had time for. Perhaps age brings a Ludditic sense of clinging to the past. Whereas I have a DSLR, it only comes out on special occasions whatever they might be such as my son's wedding.
Ruben, whilst you breathe and think, you live. Enjoy it, as it may be a long way ahead of what comes second. Age brings with it the luxury of self reflection, but also gives the benefit of not taking yourself too seriously.
payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
My photography is different from what it was when I was younger, and there are times when I do not have the energy to cross the street for what seems to be a good picture. The eyes have been refurbished, but there is a general slowing down and perhaps a trace of unsteadiness. I advise other ageing people to accept their limitations, but I know how difficult that is to do. Ageing affects more than photography, of course.
laughingbuddha
Member
There is something about me that hasn't ever changed. This thing that doesn't move is sometimes a problem and at other times an asset. It is a problem when I slip into nostalgia and talk to myself about "the good ole days". It is an asset when I recognize that the "I" that wants to make photographs or work with video or make films can always learn from the present and work with whatever is nearby.
No matter how I slice it the present with all of the scary stuff brought to bear by an aging body is where I am like it or not so why fuss about it.
Actually the present has in many ways made expressing myself easier so why not make use of the new ways of working that extend my capabilities by taking up some of the slack for diminishing faculties.
I believe that the greatest enemies of life are the selective remembering of the past and fretful anxiety about the future; both of which I work to avoid with some success but of course nothing is perfect. "Abandon All Hope of Fruition" is a slogan I am trying to embrace fully these days in the hope that I will learn to die well.
No matter how I slice it the present with all of the scary stuff brought to bear by an aging body is where I am like it or not so why fuss about it.
Actually the present has in many ways made expressing myself easier so why not make use of the new ways of working that extend my capabilities by taking up some of the slack for diminishing faculties.
I believe that the greatest enemies of life are the selective remembering of the past and fretful anxiety about the future; both of which I work to avoid with some success but of course nothing is perfect. "Abandon All Hope of Fruition" is a slogan I am trying to embrace fully these days in the hope that I will learn to die well.
dave lackey
Veteran
Hi, Ruben...
Reflexes of a man in his 20's and reasoning of a man in his 50's....what a great topic for discussion and I thank you for posting this thread.
Oh, where to start...
I am now 58 but I am just now maturing in my photography, both film and digital. I feel I have the technical knowledge but also, I look at things entirely differently than I did, say 10 years ago. I "see" things without realizing it sometimes whether it be subject matter, light, or composition and I find myself amazed...I only hope my photography can reach the average level of some of the photographers on this forum!
That said, the physical aspects of aging were getting to me last year with complications from computer work (nerve damage) taking away about 50% of the use of my left arm and surgery has not yet corrected that...soooo, while recuperating, I went on a diet and started power-walking 5 miles a day after work. I have lost 47 pounds and have a BMI of 23 and feel wonderful! In fact, I am in better shape than I was in my 20's.:angel: Shooting sports action with my D2X and telephoto lens is now much easier.
All in all, I do not think that "aging" will affect my photography negatively, but, rather positively. My mindset now is to do what I like personally in addition to paying projects. One of those personal endeavors is to create a bridge to my future family generations by handing down my images for my grandchildren and their children to "see what I saw through the lens"...I cannot think of a better way to connect with people I will never know. 😎
Now, if I can only stop thinking about getting older, I will be all right...:bang:
Reflexes of a man in his 20's and reasoning of a man in his 50's....what a great topic for discussion and I thank you for posting this thread.
Oh, where to start...
I am now 58 but I am just now maturing in my photography, both film and digital. I feel I have the technical knowledge but also, I look at things entirely differently than I did, say 10 years ago. I "see" things without realizing it sometimes whether it be subject matter, light, or composition and I find myself amazed...I only hope my photography can reach the average level of some of the photographers on this forum!
That said, the physical aspects of aging were getting to me last year with complications from computer work (nerve damage) taking away about 50% of the use of my left arm and surgery has not yet corrected that...soooo, while recuperating, I went on a diet and started power-walking 5 miles a day after work. I have lost 47 pounds and have a BMI of 23 and feel wonderful! In fact, I am in better shape than I was in my 20's.:angel: Shooting sports action with my D2X and telephoto lens is now much easier.
All in all, I do not think that "aging" will affect my photography negatively, but, rather positively. My mindset now is to do what I like personally in addition to paying projects. One of those personal endeavors is to create a bridge to my future family generations by handing down my images for my grandchildren and their children to "see what I saw through the lens"...I cannot think of a better way to connect with people I will never know. 😎
Now, if I can only stop thinking about getting older, I will be all right...:bang:
dave lackey
Veteran
Great photo!
tripod
Well-known
Nice thread, Ruben. 2 sayings come to mind: Growing old is not for the faint(weak) of heart, and: The older we get, the greater we were.
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dave lackey
Veteran
Hi, Roger...
Interesting that you and your wife are going on a motorcyle tour...enjoy! My wife and I did that all the time until recently with her health turning bad and she could no longer tolerate it. We rode all over the southeast on my Harley. Little did I know how bloody uncomfortable that was until I bought the BMW K1200LT...but it was too late for her to continue riding. What a pity as it was so comfortable.
Motorcyle touring is so fun...
Enjoy, be safe, and keep your knees in the breeze!
Interesting that you and your wife are going on a motorcyle tour...enjoy! My wife and I did that all the time until recently with her health turning bad and she could no longer tolerate it. We rode all over the southeast on my Harley. Little did I know how bloody uncomfortable that was until I bought the BMW K1200LT...but it was too late for her to continue riding. What a pity as it was so comfortable.
Motorcyle touring is so fun...
Enjoy, be safe, and keep your knees in the breeze!
oftheherd
Veteran
Are you referrring to the house fire? The health problems only slowed me down some for a while, and were inconvenient. The house fire, at least in my case, was different. So many memories gone up in smoke.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Dave,
Thanks for the good wishes.
I'm sorry to hear about your wife's health. Is it likely to improve again? To the point where she can go touring? Frances has pseudopolyarthritis but it seems (we hope!) to be going away slowly...
But this sort of thing is why I always advise younger friends: DO IT NOW, while you still can, because you never know what the future may bring.
Cheers,
Roger
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Windscale
Well-known
I couldn't agree more. In fact I have been writing in other threads about this. The short and simple fact in my case is that I started looking for lighter cameras. Went through quite a few and now settled on an Agfa Super Silette with Apotar and other light medium format equipment. No more carrying lens from 15mm to 500mm and many bodies. The time is now spent on thinking about each picture before pressing the shutter. I may be getting older, but the fun in photography has not yet deserted me!
Sisyphus
Sisyphus
Thanks for giving me an insight as to what I have to look forward to one day, which is not too far off.
Hope all is well otherwise . . .
Hope all is well otherwise . . .
R
ruben
Guest
I wish biological young members of RFF would enter this thread and give opinions. Their viewpoint can ceirtainly contribute to enrich this thread.
Unless some of them have done it and I missed it (out of senility ? 😀).
Cheers,
Ruben
BillP
Rangefinder General
Okay, let me take a run at this.
First the basics. I am 46, and sound of wind and limb. I am not as fit as I was in my 20's but then in my 20's I wasn't really into photography as I am now, so I cannot directly compare.
I do not feel slowed, bowed or restricted by age. Far from it. I feel that I am more willing and able to take my time, to take a risk, to pre-visualise and to get the shot I want. I am no more or less likely now to cross the road to get a shot than I was ten years ago. Where age (or experience?) has had an impact is in my willingness to lug 12lbs of camera kit around all day. I am now more likely to carry a single rangefinder body and one or two lenses, and to pick and choose my shots, than to carry a "do-it-all" SLR with primes (for speed) and zooms (for convenience) carrying focal lengths from 18 to 300mm.
In short, therefore, age is not an issue for me.
Ask me again in ten more years!
Regards,
Bill
First the basics. I am 46, and sound of wind and limb. I am not as fit as I was in my 20's but then in my 20's I wasn't really into photography as I am now, so I cannot directly compare.
I do not feel slowed, bowed or restricted by age. Far from it. I feel that I am more willing and able to take my time, to take a risk, to pre-visualise and to get the shot I want. I am no more or less likely now to cross the road to get a shot than I was ten years ago. Where age (or experience?) has had an impact is in my willingness to lug 12lbs of camera kit around all day. I am now more likely to carry a single rangefinder body and one or two lenses, and to pick and choose my shots, than to carry a "do-it-all" SLR with primes (for speed) and zooms (for convenience) carrying focal lengths from 18 to 300mm.
In short, therefore, age is not an issue for me.
Ask me again in ten more years!
Regards,
Bill
jplomley
Established
Well, this is my 40th year of existence, and I must admit hitting the big four-oh was tough. I've been athletic most of my life except during my University years where I spent all my time in books. A few months after turning 40 I was having a hard time with my left foot, both running and cycling. Turns out I have osteoarthritis in the phalangial joint (caused by the very exercises I was doing to keep healthy). Now I have custom orthotics (which people at work refer to as "grandpa shoes"), but they only negate some of the pain and certainly provide no cure. Ultimately, surgery will be required to fuse the joint. Oh joy.
Mentally, I'm still pretty sharp due mainly to the fact that I'm employed as a senior research scientist in the field of bioanalytical chemistry. It is crucial for me to keep up to date on the latest techniques used in bioanalysis. However, in a recent life I was employed in core research, you know, pie in the sky ideas verified by computer simulation and molecular modelling. Real cutting edge stuff. Being on the applied side of research now is certainly a notch down, so I'm feeling the slope. I also find I am questioning my career choice more and more. I never used to look back, and now all too often I'm questioning my decisions. You know, should I have pursued an academic career instead, should I have left job X for job Y. In my current position, some days it just feels like I am rotting, wasting my time while life is passing me by.
Photographically, I gave up my Canon DSLR for a complete 4x5 system which my wife and I enjoy together. It takes two of us to carry the kit, which fortunately we are still able to do. We do not own a home, preferring instead to use our disposable income for travel and investment (with the intent of buying the home when we retire); we took three major trips last year and have already completed our first trip this year to Yosemite/Sequoia/Kings Canyon. The highlight last year was wading through Zion Canyon in the fall. What an adventure. As mentioned already, we made the concientious decision to not have a family nor buy a home so we can do all the things we want while we still can. Is this the right decision? Time will tell. There is an underlying fear that when one of us goes, the other will have no immediate family for support. When we both are gone, we will not have created a genetic legacy. Admittedly, this is a bit troubling.
But this is a rangefinder forum, so I digressed somewhat. I bought my first Leica last year (M6TTL) and just recently purchased an M8. Why? Simple. I wanted the Leica experience sooner rather than later (and while the company was still around to support their products), and I needed something for street photography which was not a PITA to lug around while retaining inconspicuous qualitites. Overall, I'm pleased I made the investment, but my Mamiya 7 is not seeing much activity these days since acquiring the M8.
So do I fear aging.....yes. Do I think about it often....yes. But I feel this is healthy, as denial would be much worse. Having said this, I also fear about Leica's future and do think about it often....
Mentally, I'm still pretty sharp due mainly to the fact that I'm employed as a senior research scientist in the field of bioanalytical chemistry. It is crucial for me to keep up to date on the latest techniques used in bioanalysis. However, in a recent life I was employed in core research, you know, pie in the sky ideas verified by computer simulation and molecular modelling. Real cutting edge stuff. Being on the applied side of research now is certainly a notch down, so I'm feeling the slope. I also find I am questioning my career choice more and more. I never used to look back, and now all too often I'm questioning my decisions. You know, should I have pursued an academic career instead, should I have left job X for job Y. In my current position, some days it just feels like I am rotting, wasting my time while life is passing me by.
Photographically, I gave up my Canon DSLR for a complete 4x5 system which my wife and I enjoy together. It takes two of us to carry the kit, which fortunately we are still able to do. We do not own a home, preferring instead to use our disposable income for travel and investment (with the intent of buying the home when we retire); we took three major trips last year and have already completed our first trip this year to Yosemite/Sequoia/Kings Canyon. The highlight last year was wading through Zion Canyon in the fall. What an adventure. As mentioned already, we made the concientious decision to not have a family nor buy a home so we can do all the things we want while we still can. Is this the right decision? Time will tell. There is an underlying fear that when one of us goes, the other will have no immediate family for support. When we both are gone, we will not have created a genetic legacy. Admittedly, this is a bit troubling.
But this is a rangefinder forum, so I digressed somewhat. I bought my first Leica last year (M6TTL) and just recently purchased an M8. Why? Simple. I wanted the Leica experience sooner rather than later (and while the company was still around to support their products), and I needed something for street photography which was not a PITA to lug around while retaining inconspicuous qualitites. Overall, I'm pleased I made the investment, but my Mamiya 7 is not seeing much activity these days since acquiring the M8.
So do I fear aging.....yes. Do I think about it often....yes. But I feel this is healthy, as denial would be much worse. Having said this, I also fear about Leica's future and do think about it often....
charjohncarter
Veteran
I think I have mentioned this before that I bought an old auto-focus body, because I was missing too many focuses with my 28mm and 20mm. But now the problem is I have to put on my glasses to read the window read out for fstop and shutter. Still, I've never been happier.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
(Numbers in bold added)
1 Yes, this is not unusual. Be glad it's not heart disease, which has afflicted remarkably many serious cyclists of my acquantance. Most of my fencing friends have knee trouble. Truly, (too much) exercise is bad for you.
2 Why? If I'd joined the Freemasons when I had the chance, it might well have done me some good. But I didn't, and that was 40 years ago: it ain't gonna change now. Besides, it might not have done me any good: as Umberto Eco said, all counterfactual conditionals are true. I'm glad, overall, that I took my father's advice and didn't join the lodge I was invited to join by one of his chums. My father was never a Mason either.
3 Denial is not the alternative to worrying.
Cheers,
Roger
jplomley
Established
Roger,
For years now I have trained using the exercises in Ed Burke's book "Serious Cycling". Ed died not too long ago of a heart attack while cycling uphill. So your observations seem quite corroborative. I know on some uphill climbs it feels as though my heart is going to pound itself right of my chest. Now I wear a heart rate monitor to keep things in check and try never to exceed 85% of max. However, I must admit there is nothing like the endorphin rush after an exhaustive 100 mile ride (err, more like 50-60 these days).
Thanks for your feedback,
Jeff
For years now I have trained using the exercises in Ed Burke's book "Serious Cycling". Ed died not too long ago of a heart attack while cycling uphill. So your observations seem quite corroborative. I know on some uphill climbs it feels as though my heart is going to pound itself right of my chest. Now I wear a heart rate monitor to keep things in check and try never to exceed 85% of max. However, I must admit there is nothing like the endorphin rush after an exhaustive 100 mile ride (err, more like 50-60 these days).
Thanks for your feedback,
Jeff
