An Excellent Experience....the pics

[dazedgonebye]

A week ago, I wrote about an excellent experience I'd had in conversation with an old gentleman in a diner.
He was 85 years old and had served 30 years in the Marine Corps...through WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He told me that his "golden lady," whom he met in New Zeland during the war, had died 11 years ago and that he lived his life so that he would be in heaven with her some day soon.
He chatted with my 7 year old and enjoyed his silliness. When we left, he gave my son $1, because 'he always gives the kids a dollar.'

Bessa-R, Ultron 35mm f1.7, Kodak 400UC. 1/30th and f2.

I take meeting with him as a lesson in life and growing old.

 

[akptc]

I miss my Grandpa.
Great pics btw, I like the 2nd one especially.

 

[Keith]

I love the faces of the elderly ... the lines are a map of how they've lived their lives!

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

Wonderful story, magical even. Those random encounters really can leave an impression on you. The pictures speak volumes about his character. Well done.

 

[dazedgonebye]

I miss my Grandpa.
Great pics btw, I like the 2nd one especially.

I'll take that first line as the best kind of compliment.

 

[Robert Price]

Very nice shots.

 

[vrgard]

Just wanted to say thanks, Steve, for posting these pics and telling more of the "Excellent Experience" story. I definitely enjoyed both the pics and the story. In isolation, I think I prefer the second picture. But with the story, I love the pure joy in the old man's face in the third picture.

Thanks again,
Randy

 

[Superbus_]

I like these pictures too. The best way to see our life from a more distant perspective is to speak with older people about their life and experiences, listening their interesting stories.
I especially like the picture with the old lady.

 

[physiognomy]

Very nice pictures Steve... Like others have noted, I think the man's character is visable in your photographs. I hope this great experience helps you with your people photography!

Peter

 

[Brad Bireley]

wonderful story & photos!

 

[dazedgonebye]

Thanks all...
Now the trick is to do this on purpose, instead of lucking out with a great character sitting down next to me.

 

[Sparrow]

Thanks all...
Now the trick is to do this on purpose, instead of lucking out with a great character sitting down next to me.

Yes that’s the thing, scary Jamaica, nice pics I do hope you feel more comfortable next time. I still have to waste half a roll to “play myself in” sorry cricket idiom.

 

[SCOTFORTHLAD]

Great pictures,lovely story!Well done.I expect that your youngster will have gained something from the encounter as well.

Brian.

 

[dazedgonebye]

Great pictures,lovely story!Well done.I expect that your youngster will have gained something from the encounter as well.

Brian.

Well, he did get a buck! 😀
Actually, he was telling his mother the story and used the term "old guy." I corrected him to "nice gentleman." Of course, to a seven year old, you have people in grade school and "old guys," are pretty much everyone else.

 

[RdEoSg]

Great series and story!

 

[GeroV]

Steve,
this makes me just want to take a long time off from work and go and meet people like you have, and capture it on film.

I'll echo the I miss my grandpa - mine passed away almost 12 years ago, and the memories I carry of my time with him are beyond priceless.

Beautiful shots and a wonderful story.
gero

 

[dazedgonebye]

Steve,
this makes me just want to take a long time off from work and go and meet people like you have, and capture it on film.

I'll echo the I miss my grandpa - mine passed away almost 12 years ago, and the memories I carry of my time with him are beyond priceless.

Beautiful shots and a wonderful story.
gero

We're I a man of leisure, I'd do just that.

 

[Topdog1]

Heart warming. That's why it's great to always have a camera ready at hand.

/Ira

 

[Dfin]

Thank you for shareing the Photos and Story,( the beginings of a photo essay). From my experiance and having spoken to a few photojounos, the luck is being there with your camera, and knowing how to use it, and going by your photos, you do.