johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Some months ago my dad and I visited my son on his annual huge scouting camp, way up in the North of the Netherlands.
Here's a shot:
It actually is nothing special.
BUT: as it turned out later, my dad had a minor heart attack that day, only an hour or so before I took this. I still remember him being shaky and pale-faced while walking this sand stretch with me, and me sitting him down and fetching him a cup of coffee. Never could have imagined that he had been close to a bigger heart attack that day.
Finding this on a scanned roll tonight was a big affirmation that I really want to bring a camera to wherever I go, and shoot whatever I see. Trivial shots may prove so important later!
I finished the roll a week or two later:
That's my dad and my daughter in the hospital on visiting hours.
He's been back in the hospital for a night since then, apparently medicine dosage was off. Apart from that he's fine.
If there's anything I have learned from this, it's to shoot whatever you like even if it seems trivial at the time!
Here's a shot:
It actually is nothing special.
BUT: as it turned out later, my dad had a minor heart attack that day, only an hour or so before I took this. I still remember him being shaky and pale-faced while walking this sand stretch with me, and me sitting him down and fetching him a cup of coffee. Never could have imagined that he had been close to a bigger heart attack that day.
Finding this on a scanned roll tonight was a big affirmation that I really want to bring a camera to wherever I go, and shoot whatever I see. Trivial shots may prove so important later!
I finished the roll a week or two later:
That's my dad and my daughter in the hospital on visiting hours.
He's been back in the hospital for a night since then, apparently medicine dosage was off. Apart from that he's fine.
If there's anything I have learned from this, it's to shoot whatever you like even if it seems trivial at the time!
emraphoto
Veteran
You sir, have crossed a threshold. One that usally results in a period of kick ass photos.
goo0h
Well-known
they're wonderful photos. And yes, I usually have some sort of camera with me at all times. I don't know why because sometimes I never use it. I guess it's a sense of security: 1) taking pictures brings me so much happiness, and it's nice to know happiness is always in easy reach, no matter what the day may bring, and 2) too many times I thought: "Damn, I wish I had my camera with me!"
So I say: keep shooting!
So I say: keep shooting!
jky
Well-known
Nice thread.
I occasionally would complain that there wasn't anything to shoot.... when in fact, I have the subjects all around me - my loved ones. I don't love all the pictures I've taken, but I love the people in those pictures.
These images are like a little slideshow in my memory bank... like (probably) these photos are for yours.
Thanks for sharing these.
I occasionally would complain that there wasn't anything to shoot.... when in fact, I have the subjects all around me - my loved ones. I don't love all the pictures I've taken, but I love the people in those pictures.
These images are like a little slideshow in my memory bank... like (probably) these photos are for yours.
Thanks for sharing these.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Michael Winner in "My Teenage Diaries" (BBC) makes the superb point that we photograph the wrong things.
Wouldn't you LOVE to see a picture of your parents' house or the interior of your bedroom when you were young? Of your lecture halls at university? Of the room (or even the outside of the building) where you lost your virginity?
Cheers,
R.
Wouldn't you LOVE to see a picture of your parents' house or the interior of your bedroom when you were young? Of your lecture halls at university? Of the room (or even the outside of the building) where you lost your virginity?
Cheers,
R.
GMcD
Established
Roger, Yes, yes, yes and yes! I agree with you 100%
I'm glad that your Dad is recovering. That is a tough blow, finding out that parents are not invulnerable. I have some great shots of my Dad, many with my nieces and nephews as babies- now they are in their 40s. They are appreciated.
And pictures of my parents house, lecture halls at my old University, and my '72 Mustang...
And pictures of my parents house, lecture halls at my old University, and my '72 Mustang...
planetjoe
Just some guy, you know?
I love this thread. Thank you, Buzzardkid, for sharing your story and your photos. To paraphrase the above, I hope the thread inspires me to cross a kind of threshold, as well.
I'm going to take this bit to heart:
Lately I've found that taking many photos - digital and analog - leaves me with a treasure trove of memories that don't all get reviewed right away (especially the film work); having old images see first light much later is often a nice unexpected treat.
Cheers,
--joe.
I'm going to take this bit to heart:
Lately I've found that taking many photos - digital and analog - leaves me with a treasure trove of memories that don't all get reviewed right away (especially the film work); having old images see first light much later is often a nice unexpected treat.
Cheers,
--joe.
dave lackey
Veteran
Hey, sure glad he is recovering. A small heart attack is definitely a wake-up call for everyone in the family. I should know having lived this scenario for the last 18 months.
It tends to focus what is important to you. After my wife suffered a heart attack, then a stroke and later a fatal reaction to the new heart medication (10 cardiac arrests brought back each time with a defibrilator), there are only two things important to me anymore....my wife's continuing recovery and health, and spending as much time with her as possible.
Nothing else matters. Photography can be important to you at this time. For me, I am not sure what value they may be in the future, but I dare not forego taking as many photos of our good times together as possible. :angel:
So, yeah, you are doing exactly the right thing and I hope your entire family continues to enjoy each other's health and presence for a very long time.
It tends to focus what is important to you. After my wife suffered a heart attack, then a stroke and later a fatal reaction to the new heart medication (10 cardiac arrests brought back each time with a defibrilator), there are only two things important to me anymore....my wife's continuing recovery and health, and spending as much time with her as possible.
Nothing else matters. Photography can be important to you at this time. For me, I am not sure what value they may be in the future, but I dare not forego taking as many photos of our good times together as possible. :angel:
So, yeah, you are doing exactly the right thing and I hope your entire family continues to enjoy each other's health and presence for a very long time.
Pfreddee
Well-known
I wish your dad a speedy recovery and many more years of life.
With best regards.
Pfreddee(Stephen)
With best regards.
Pfreddee(Stephen)
fotomeow
name under my name
buzzarkid, another great reminder of the fragility of life .... and how it interacts with our passion for fotography. Being a nurse in the hospital (ICU, Emergency, etc), I see this sort of thing happen all the time. Enjoy life while we can and the others around us
I 'like' this post
ssmc
Well-known
+1!
I am sooo guilty of ignoring the things that really matter (all around me) and as a result have almost zero photos of people at all. I remember when I visited my pen-pal at age 19 in Sheridan, Wyoming, (my first solo trip overseas, which was an amzing experience) and came back and showed people my photos and they were like, "What, doesn't anyone live in Wyoming?" Now (many years later) the faces of most of the folks who made that trip so special are just dim memories. I really wish I had taken more candid and people pics
Scott
Livesteamer
Well-known
This brings up a problem with today's digital mindset. I'm old enough that family members are passing on. At least once a year I get a request something like this. Do you have a good photo of aunt Madeline who just passed away? Sometimes the photo I find would be one that might have been deleted. I did not value the photo much when I took it but after they are gone they become much more valuable. Get those family photos while you can. Joe
Jack Conrad
Well-known
My Dad after having gone through several operations for Kidney and Colon cancer.
I'm not stopping either. Not even death is gonna stop me from shooting. I'm gonna haunt my favorite camera.
I'm not stopping either. Not even death is gonna stop me from shooting. I'm gonna haunt my favorite camera.
robklurfield
eclipse
Often, we only see what's really important when it's in our rear view mirrors. Best wishes to your dad on a full and speedy recovery. Keep shooting.
You never know when the next surprise will come. Hopefully, it will filled with more joy and less pain. Life moves on whether we want it to or not. That's one of the big reasons I make images. To freeze some moments that will never pass may retinas again. Personally I'd be lost without my photography.
You never know when the next surprise will come. Hopefully, it will filled with more joy and less pain. Life moves on whether we want it to or not. That's one of the big reasons I make images. To freeze some moments that will never pass may retinas again. Personally I'd be lost without my photography.
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Check!
My dad's currently recovering from a by-pass operation. I've been stealing a few snaps of mom and him whenever I get the chance, with whatever camera I am carrying.
pakeha
Well-known
Brilliant.
We have around 27 photo albums in the house, photos in them go back to my great grand parents. Every couple of weeks an album goes on the coffee table...the children find them fascinating.
regards
We have around 27 photo albums in the house, photos in them go back to my great grand parents. Every couple of weeks an album goes on the coffee table...the children find them fascinating.
regards
jarski
Veteran
nice thread and comments, and so right.
thanks to RFF and "street photo hobby, I've become quite bold taking candid shots of my relatives and friends. they still protest as always, but have understood they cannot stop the "camera nut"
thanks to RFF and "street photo hobby, I've become quite bold taking candid shots of my relatives and friends. they still protest as always, but have understood they cannot stop the "camera nut"
nighstar
eternal beginner
...my eyes got a bit leaky reading this. i really couldn't agree more.
i'm glad your dad is recovering. thanks a lot for sharing. <3
i'm glad your dad is recovering. thanks a lot for sharing. <3