#341 ASSIGNMENT: KARAH MEW #2
Documenter of life, Karah Mew sets her second assignment for us and asks you to consider a photograph so precious, you may not have a second chance tomorrow to capture it. The assignment is a challenge set for the next seven days; a way to think differently about how you approach making your pictures. I'll be fascinated to see what you come up with, so email what you make to the show via the contact page.
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Karah Mew asks you to document that photo.
BY CHRIS HALE
This assignment could not have been more timely. While I think I have a good idea for a photo each week, I have yet to have a captured a moment as important as this week. This afternoon my 103 year old grandmother had a stroke. She recently went into hospital after a fall (on the same day as the Queen’s funeral), and the last few weeks have been challenging for my father and his brothers (and the daughters-in-law). The last time I saw my grandmother, I brought my camera with the hope of capturing an image of her smiling and laughing. Alas I had the basic failure every photographer fears — my battery was dead. Today may be the last day I get to see her alive, but the only camera I had was the one in my hand, my phone. She may be 103, has had a stroke, and recently fractured her spine, but her grip is still strong. She has always been that firm yet soft strength that has held the family together, supporting yet scolding as needed. A creative person, a lifelong learner and teacher, and always with a twinkle in her eye. Thank you for always having a thoughtful episode.
BY JOEL RILEY
I knew what ‘That Photo’ was as soon as Karah began describing it, as I imagine was the case for many listeners. I have wanted to take a picture of my grandfather for a while now. We celebrated his 90th birthday in June. As a gift for the occasion, I scanned about 100 photos of his life, family, and history. Exploring these photos was an amazing experience for me, and I was struck by the lack of contemporary photos of him, aside from the snapshots of him holding the newest baby born into the family. I knew I needed to make a portrait of him.
I was listening to the episode while driving from my home in Memphis, TN to meet a group of friends for a fishing trip in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. When the episode played, I was about 30 minutes from my grandfather's house. It was out of the way, would delay my arrival to meet my friends, and most of all I was intimidated by the idea of calling my grandfather to ask if I could take his picture. However, your and Karah's words were inspiring. When the episode finished I called my grandfather and explained that I was driving through the area and would like to come visit him. He was delighted to have me come for a visit. Before we ended our conversation, with butterflies in my stomach, I asked him if he would mind if I took his picture while I was there. I was relieved when he replied, "Sure, I'll even smile for you!" I told him he could smile or not, and it wouldn't matter to me.
When we hung up the phone, I started my detour, still feeling extremely nervous, unsure how I would make the photo. Would I ask him to pose in a particular location? No. I would let him decide on the setting. Would he be in his undershirt, and if so should I ask him to put on an overshirt? What about lighting? All I had was my Fujifilm XT2 and a couple of retro Nikkor prime lenses, and my trusty Nikon FM2. And perhaps most worrisome, I am NOT a portrait photographer. I am not any genre of photographer. I just take photos because I enjoy it. So I spent the next 30 minutes with these thoughts and others filling my mind.
When I arrived at Papaw's house, he greeted me with his usual charm, telling me to shave my moustache and cut my hair. We visited for a while, me catching him up on family, career, etc., and him recalling stories from his childhood the way he always has. We got to the subject of Halloween, and the good-natured trouble I used to get into with my friends growing up in our small town. He recalled a time when his older brothers tied a rope around their school outhouse when the teacher was inside, and how they somehow managed on another occasion to place a steel-wheeled road wagon onto the roof of a barn. Papaw is a natural storyteller, and perhaps my next challenge should be an interview or series of interviews with him.
The picture was easier than I expected. He told me he would sit in his chair. He had a nice shirt on, and a fresh haircut. The lighting was tricky. We turned on every light and lamp in the room, and I was still pushing the limits of my XT2's ISO. I took several photos while talking to him, and when I stood up he asked when I was going to take the picture! I promised to send him the picture when I could get it processed and printed. This was a special experience for me, and I am very thankful for your podcast. Please keep up the good work!
BY MIKE MILLER
So today, we went to take my father-in-law to his doctor's appointment, get him some groceries and spend some time with him; he's 93 years old. Just before we left for his appointment, I mentioned that I hadn't made an image of him for a while and asked if I could make his photograph. He said yes, so I managed to make one frame before my wife came back into the room. I like it!
The second image (below) happened on Monday. I had been out the day previously making an image of this point in the Niagara Escarpment (called Rattlesnake Point). The traffic was horrendous with people out for Sunday drives. As I was pulling away, I saw a better vantage point but didn't turn back because the family would be eating its Thanksgiving dinner soon. I had already made up my mind to go out on Monday to make the image and the podcast just verified my decision. The problem is that the leaves can drop or change so quickly. Fortunately, the colours and leaves were as good or better than 15 hours before.
