Wednesday, 23 January 2008

  • Gathering Dust

    Nothing
    Back of the lens cap, Douglasville, 70mm, f8 @ 1/1000s


    “In the absence of photography, there is always…life.”

    My camera has always been by my side. From the coldest, darkest streets of Moscow, Russia to the hot, sandy beaches of Fiji. Through countless airport scanners, innumerable hardships, incalculable joys, hunger, and fear; I’ve slept with it, combed my hair by the reflection of its LCD, checked my teeth in its mirror, and used its long-barreled lens as a pillow. My constant companion. A strong and courageous friend.

    No. I’m not selling it, nor has it died.*It* has simply been supplanted by a *Someone*.

    I knew it could happen. I…mean…I’ve heard of it before…even seen it a time or two. A *someone* comes along and snatches the shutterbug right out of an unsuspecting photographer’s heart. This time it’s me. I mean right now my beloved Nikon D2h lies neglected in the ransacked room I used to call my own in my parents house. It didn’t even rate the first load to the new apartment.

    Sure, I recognized the signs early on….Back in the spring, I choose to leave *it* behind when going out with my *Someone*. “Just for the evening,” I would tell myself in an attempt to salve my conscience. Sure enough, soon evening turned into all weekend; all weekend into week-long breaks. I have no pictures worth mentioning from Olympia; horridly inconsistent images in Alaska; no images from Sacramento, or southern California; and the only mildly remarkable images from Denver are the ones I took…ahem…for my *Someone*!

    I finally realized this decline was terminal while in Tibet. I couldn’t shoot without first talking to my *Someone*….who was well over 12,000 miles and 12 time zones away.

    Pitiful? Well…let’s just say after those long-distance conversations I shot better than ever…interacting with my *camera* and *subjects* like never before. I was on fire; tapping into emotion and light as never before!!

    For those of you still behind the power curve, long ago I decided not to fight the heart-drift from *it*. This past weekend I made it permanent. I married my *Someone*.

    And left the photography to others who haven’t quite lost *it*…

    Blessings!

    Will

Comments (18)

  • Crazy4Photos

    Lol... that "picture" brings me back to two years ago at Big Sandy and you taking portraits!

    Congratulations on your marriage to such a lovely person!!! You are defiantly a blessed man!

    Sara  

  • purpleflamigos92

    I would love to meet with you Will! Should I bring C.E stuff?

  • fotodelight

    That picture doesn't look all that dusty!  What did you do?  Blow the dust off first?  

    Blessings on you and your bride!  I'm happy for you!

  • Ian24601
  • musicalmermaid

    Congrats on finally tying the knot!  Being married does not mean that you bury your awesome talent.  Take a vacation from it, yes, but just quit, that would be sad.  Noone takes pictures likes you do, Will.  And your dear Tanya, I bet would not want you to do that either.  :)

  • triinkohv
  • Soonerpeach

    Hey Will!  I was so sorry I couldn't make it to the wedding - did you get to use the waltz steps you learned once upon a time?   Blessings on you both!

  • SkylinePigeon9797

    You about have me crying over hear. I can I take care of your poor heart broken and abandoned camera for you until you regain your senses? lol But seriously "used its long-barreled lens as a pillow" I want to cry!

    But I think I understand what you are going through. the day I stopped journaling faithfully was only a few days after Clark and I began our relationship. I nearly lost all of my inspiration for writing poetry and stories. My camera was also unusually untouched. I've only recently started getting my passion and inspiration back. And you know ... I think I'm more creative than ever now!

    Congratulations on finding your "someone". I'm very happy for you!

  • writewithlight

    Hehehehe.......yep, you were pretty pathetic in Tibet whenever you couldn't talk to Someone.  The whole trip really.  It was cute...and it's incredibly satisfying to see you so happy now!!  :D  God's best to you both as you follow Him together.  I'm sure He has amazing things planned for you guys!  :D

  • gbanksee
    Congratulations! I am somewhat mystified as to how a person finds him/herself in your situation, but I know only God can do it Right. May God continue to do right in both your lives, and in your life together, and may He draw you both ever nearer Himself, as you experience life with or without camera in hand. I'm thankful for the time you have spent teaching others, though; God's used that too! Mostly, though... God bless you guys. G
  • shannoncicely

    hee, hee. this is funny. Congratulations! I'm really happy for you!

  • MicahMurray
  • highergroundphotography

    Congratulations!  Photography will miss you, but I'm very happy for you and your *someone*!!! =)

    -(ari

  • warriorbride

    I miss my bro....how do I get in touch with you now? I heard Lizzie has your phone.....=) =) I love you!!!!!

  • StandInAwe

    Will, I am so glad that you and Tanya found each other.  For a long time, I could tell in her voice when she talked about you that you were going to be so good to her.  And I feel like that "hunch" was confirmed after meeting you on wedding weekend.  You two are perfect for each other, and I was so happy to stand by Tanya's side as she committed her life to you.  I am confident that you will be a source of strength for her, and she for you.  Never stop pursuing her.
    Colleen

  • tibungla

    I'm glad you married Someone!

  • warriorbride

    SO HOW DO I GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU......?????? =) =) seriously.

  • anonymous

    Heard this quote and thought of your post:

    "I gaze at the sunset with the woman I love, and think….f/8 at 1/250."

    I guess advertisements aren't always true, huh?

  • Choose Identity

  • Give eProps (?)

  • New! You can now edit your comments for 15 minutes after submitting.

Who recommended?