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08/11/2008 12:41:34 AM · #1 |
I met my husband's uncle for the first time in December (we've been married almost 7 years). I wish I had met him years ago!! He is 62 with a white beard down to his chest and very light blue eyes that sparkle with mischief! He hated my camera when we met and my camera loved him but I didn't get anything I was looking for because he kept ducking and avoiding me, but he'd offer me a shot of whiskey in a heartbeat. :D
Last week he found out he has lung cancer. :( His family tells me he is a gruff recluse, with a harsh personality etc .. I didn't/don't see this in him at all! Today we went to visit him (I forced hubby to take me) and I still found that twinkle in his eyes when we talked making me want to just sit and listen to him talk about his life for hours (which I did). I took out my camera to take pictures of his garden (his pride and joy) and he was comfortable but I never pointed it at him even though he was warming up to what I was doing. At times seemed like he would pose for me but he was so insistent in December about not taking his picture I was (under the circumstances) afraid to raise my camera towards him.
No one has pictures of him, at least nothing really nice except for a few blurry snapshots. I want to preserve this man I see so clearly so his family (and me) have something to show that wonderful spirit he has.
How do I convince him to be comfortable and let me do this?? I know the timing is so bad and I think that is what makes me hesitate asking. Does anyone have any advice for this situation??
Message edited by author 2008-08-11 01:53:45. |
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08/11/2008 01:07:24 AM · #2 |
| Interesting story. I would get him back in his garden, where his heart is, & then tell him what is in your heart. I wouldn't ask him to pose for the camera & I would use the smallest, least professional-looking camera I could get, & work very fast. Promise him you will permanently delete any shot at his request. And if he still refuses, accept his refusal with grace. But you have to ask, you must! It sounds to me like you could get a fine candid of him that the family would be very grateful to have & you would be very proud of. |
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08/11/2008 01:12:19 AM · #3 |
Kat
My suggestion would be to get the family together. With everything going on , and you with a long lens , you could get some good environmental shots.
Bruce |
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08/11/2008 01:30:32 AM · #4 |
Em .. I don't want him to pose .. he doesn't need to. I have tried the candid route with him and it didn't work because he was always watching me.. I do agree with getting him back in his garden (or the barn he built where all his toys are housed, which is what I tried to do today) I will try and tell him what is in my heart because it is speaking so strongly about this and I will try and approach him with the interest of taking shots where he is comfortable.
Bruce ... 99.9% of the time, will not attend family outings .. I met him at his mother's 89th birthday, the first family outing he attended since I married my husband.
This situation will have to be something I convince him to do on his own which is why I am asking for help because he does not see himself like I do.
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08/11/2008 01:40:41 AM · #5 |
Get him to take photos of you....as he becomes more comfortable with the camera....ask him if you can try a shot. Most people who don't like cameras also feel slightly threatened by the camera itself....not necessrily the result.
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08/11/2008 01:48:51 AM · #6 |
| Thank you Judi .. that is a great suggestion .. I don't know if he'd do it (he's a country boy) but it's worth a try! |
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