A post my grandfather would have liked
I remember watching my grandfather wandering about with his 35mm SLR camera taking photos; he'd spend hours taking shots then hours more in his darkroom developing and processing. I wish I could say I was fascinated by it, I was a kid though and the enjoyment he found through photography was lost on me. I could see he was passionate and sometimes spent time helping him carry things and in the darkroom watching him work but I never picked up much of an interest in it. I regret that.
After many years of not caring whether I took a photograph or not I have found some interest and enjoyment from doing so. I do things differently than my grandfather did; digital cameras render the need for a darkroom obsolete, my cameras are different as are my skills, but I've come to enjoy taking photos now and then and thinking back on the skills my grandfather had I regret not taking more interest in what he did. One thing is common to us both though and that's finding enjoyment in taking photos of flowers.
I find enjoyment through photography and whether I'm any good at it or not is totally besides the point and simply doesn't matter; the enjoyment of it matters. I don't use editing tools like Photoshop because I do not know how and I'd rather present the photos I take as they are anyway, imperfect and as my eye saw them, that's reality to me, and here's a few I captured this morning that I felt comfortable sharing.
Design and create your ideal life, tomorrow isn't promised - galenkp
[Original and AI free]
Every image in this post is my own.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III was used to capture these images.
Your flowery photographs are fabulous, dear, @galenkp
Thanks, I appreciate you taking a look and the time to comment also.
He would have been proud of these photos! 😊
Thank you sir, I appreciate that. I believe he would too; he was a supportive person and only wanted the best for us, one of the reasons I feel so bad about not being more interested in this hobby of his, and others also. I think of him when I take photos and imagine him being proud, so thanks for saying it.
You're very welcome. It's evident that your late loved one had a significant impact on your life, and it's heartwarming to hear that you carry his supportive spirit with you here is Hive! 😊
Finding connection through shared hobbies, like photography, becomes a meaningful way to honor his memory!
Well said, the meaningful way to honour his memory part. I agree.
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STOPOddly enough I didn't become interested in photos until much later either. By then my dad has gotten rid of most of his equipment. He is still a font of information though. Nice shots!
With me it was due to there being other things I had to do, more important things. It didn't mean I didn't take photos, just that I didn't do so for hobby/enjoyment purposes. Thinking back on all those places I've been and things I've done...It would be nice to have some snaps to prompt my memories.
These came out ok for sure, by my standards at least...many bad ones, a few good ones. Lol.
Your photography skills are amazing. I understand that we are living in a high technology world and digital cameras are now the norm. However, i still miss the traditional way of taking photos. Its the process of being in the darkroom that makes it so fascinating. Either way, the resulting photos are equally unique.
Thank you, I appreciate you saying so; I try to create the best I can but am limited by my skills and equipment although I'm often content with what I produce.
I agree with you about missing 35mm film. I'm old enough to have so many photographs taken in 35mm from my journeys all over the world and I look at them too. Sometimes I take a photo of them on my phone and share them on Hive, I did one recently of the three year old me which was funny. I like looking at them, so many good memories.
Thanks for your comment.
No matter the time or technique used to see the beauty in the flowers, it stayed with you what your grandfather saw. Lovely images today as well. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Thank you for your lovely comment, I appreciate it.
I like to think that who I am today is partly due to the influence of my grandfather, he was a special sort of character and my time with him was too short - he passed away when I was eighteen. I like to think he'd see these images and say, nice job Mr. Chips. (He called me Mr. Chips when I was a kid. 😁)
The teachings of grandparents are not forgotten, so every day I want to give the best of myself to my grandchild.
That's a great plan your grandchild will benefit from.
Who really knows how to say uses details as a means of expression. True love takes care of the details... so this is a great tribute and I am sure he is looking through your eyes.
Great shots!
We were very similar in personality, the same work ethic and had many of the same personality traits. I think he'd like these shots.
I think regardless of the subject, your grandfather would have liked it. That's just the way grandparents are; they are very supportive and often spoil their grandchildren.
The photos look great. I really like these close up photos of flowers because you can the little details that are easy to miss when looking at them from afar. The amount of pollen they have, how delicate each petal is, there are a lot of things to marvel at.
I think you're right, he was pretty supportive, also got me into trouble as I'd join in with his mischief. (He'd share the blame and punishment my mother dished out though.) He was a good grandfather.
It's amazing how much detail there is in flowers and plants when the eye is brought closer to it, one of the reasons I like using my macro lens. Lilies are a really interesting flower too, although most are when up close.
Well you were probably a slightly different person back then just like you’ll be a slightly different person in twenty years possibly with new interests you didn’t realise you’d ever be interested in now 😆
The shots are great, your grandfather would probably be happy someone is meandering along in the general direction of one of his passions 🙃
Yep, in twenty years it's likely I'll be a ghost. 😉
I remember how much effort he put into his photography, just a hobby, but he took it seriously, put in the time to get the results he wanted or discover better ways to do things. He did the same with his woodwork and wood carving and with his music. A talented fellow.
Some hobbies are actually life's work XD
He really does sound like he was one talented individual :O
He has a good story, interesting. If I get to the end of my life and look back on it like he was able to look back on his own, I'd be happy.
Whatever we do, the thing which matters is the enjoyment.
My grand father was fond of driving. I still remember from my foggy memories that when I was child he drove in the village and car got stuck in fields. He used to drive without any care. Later in his life, he became paralyzed and then he never ever tried driving.
He became paralysed in a vehicle crash?
There are days when I read you and I don't know what to say and I don't write anything. Today is one of those days, although I will write something, I liked the photographs, and the text moved me. Have a great day
No worries, just enjoy the images I guess, and I'd you want to say something later you know where to find me. 😊
I hope you have a nice end of week, and the weekend is enjoyable.
I'll leave it at that, I wish you a wonderful weekend.😊
On a social level it is often said that traditions and skills jump one generation making us connected directly with our grandparents.
From parents we gather the mastery and possibilities to make them working.
It's not always like that but recurrences with a generational jump are really frequent
It's funny you say that actually.
I play musical instruments, am good with my hands, practical in thinking, do photography and some other things that my grandfather also did but my dad did not. It's interesting to think on it in that way. Of course, my father had different skills that I do not like being an artist. Interesting perspective.
No matter what, your photography skills are always exceptional. I bet he must have liked these
Thanks, I appreciate you saying so. I feel pretty happy with these shots, but in truth I have fairly low standards simply because I don't really have the photography skills to do much better. One day I'll learn some more stuff.
You already got pretty good skills, mate.
But still good wishes for the stuff you are yet to learn
Interesting that your grandfather liked photography, you definitely took after your grandfather. And your quality and good taste in photography shows. I told you... artist's eye.
Of all my family the only one who liked photography was my maternal grandfather, the same one who liked guns and racing boats.
But he didn't develop them in the darkroom, he only took them with those analog cameras. .... I never saw him do it but I have his photographs. My mother always tells me how much he loved it and how happy it made him. Many times I find myself taking pictures somewhere in the city and I say... will he see me?
Thanks Galen!
Yeah, they say history repeats I guess although it was a conscious and independent decision to do photography for me, not some sort of imprinted or natural compulsion derived from my grandfather.
And it was a very good decision, very accurate and one for which you have a talent.
the focus is very soft really love looking at it.
Yeah, seems ok huh?
I’m sure your grandfather would be very proud of your skills and results, those photos are amazing, nature is incredible and you know how to capture it very well, well ,thank goodness you don’t know what you do with the camera 😅
Yeah, it's so interesting to see flowers (anything really) up close as the naked eye isn't powerful enough to get in that close and see the details. It must be incredible to have the vision of an eagle, no macro lenses required. Thanks for commenting.
You have a great eye for photography. The lights in these photos are spectacular, very even and clean, and the colors are vivid and balanced. Perhaps the craft of photography runs through your veins as well. Great job.
Thanks mate, I think these shots came out pretty well. It's funny you mentioned the light. I don't have any photography lights, just used the main light in the ceiling and adjusted camera setting where needed. Used a torch to get the shadows in the first image. I work with what I have.
Very well done, you have talent for that 👍.
Taking photos for me is actually a new hobby just like you. Before the advent of smartphones, I was not a 'picture' person but now taking of selfies and whatever else has become a delight, anyhow I take it.
The flowers are beautiful, they are tulips, aren't they? I love their vibrant colours and floral arrangement.
I'm not really into taking selfies, I'm not all that interested in pictures of myself and don't see the point really, but photography is a good hobby though.