"83" - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II

08/23/2004 06:54:14 PM · #1

I whas out on the streets trying to capture a few good snapshots, when I saw this old man carying his bycicle in his arms over some stairs. I whas a bit confused not knowing if I should take pictures of him or give him a hand, anyways while I got close enough he whas almost there so my help would of come late. Then I put my camera to my eye hoping I can get a pic. Didn`t get a good one of him carying his byke but after he whas done, he turned to me and sayd "83". Being stupid or playing stupid I asked "83 what?" he says, "83 years, and I didn`t plan to live so long" Ofcourse I wished him manny manny more, and then he started telling me stories of his life starting from world war II, up until today and how hard it is for old people like him to survive from one day to another in this country. I forgot his name or I never asked, I`m not sure, that`s why I`m calling this image "83" because I snapped it exactly when he whas saying it. He gave me his adress tho and I promissed him a print so when I`m going to give it to him, probably tomorrow, I will know his name and I hope manny more stories. Can`t wait for it, he is really one of the sweetest persons I met recently.

Message edited by author 2004-08-23 18:54:40.

toddhead

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/23/2004 07:17:33 PM · #2

Great picture.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/23/2004 07:29:52 PM · #3

wow. what an awesome day.

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

08/23/2004 07:30:17 PM · #4

Beautiful shot, made even more beautiful by the story. Thanks! :o)

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

08/23/2004 07:39:25 PM · #5

Super. You got a fine picture and a great story by listening to an old guy. Keep up the good work!

mrorange002

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

08/23/2004 07:42:18 PM · #6

great story!
Thanks for sharing :)

ScantyNebula

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

08/23/2004 07:42:57 PM · #7

That sounds like a scene from a movie .. heh .. what a great story, and picture, let us know if you meet with him again :)

nico_blue

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

08/23/2004 08:11:50 PM · #8

awesome story and picture!

KiwiChris

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

08/23/2004 09:03:13 PM · #9

Nothing to add to the other comments, but had to add my compliments. Great story, and a neat photo..

SandyP

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 USM

08/23/2004 09:07:57 PM · #10

Originally posted by frumoaznicul:

"83 years"

I'm touched by the picture. My dad is 83, and he is having so many problems. Just the thought of my dad being able to get out and ride a bike, then carry it up some stairs . . . The guy is blessed and he knows it! And I bet you made his day by being interested in him and photographing him. I hope you see him again. It will mean a lot to him I bet! What a great story!

Kylie

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

08/23/2004 10:05:12 PM · #11

I am glad you shared this. I think about this a lot and love talking to folks like this. Thanks again!

Elemmennope

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/23/2004 10:21:47 PM · #12

I love those little random connections we all make with other people now and then. :)

Good photo too!

RHoldenSr

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

08/23/2004 10:28:22 PM · #13

Excellent capture!

I would not only give him a print I would also get it matted and framed for a very reasonable cost even if it were from Michaels or etc.

Again very nice work!

08/24/2004 01:18:02 AM · #14

Great story Cristi. It gave me goose skin when I read it and belive me in my mind it was: optzeci si trei taica si nu credeam ca o sa traiesc atata! You made me think of my home again, of my old folks amd of my own mother tongue, specailly now that I am so far from Romania and my 66 years old dad is very sick...
Thanks for sharing and keep on the good work!

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

08/24/2004 03:06:09 AM · #15

Thanks verry much everyone for your thoughts, Sandy and Tiberius I wish all the health to your father's, I will go today to visit him and give him a nice big print, I'm sure he will be happy, and I am also verry orious of his world and ofcourse more storyes and more pictures. I just remembered how he told me to remember his adress, he told me the street name wich is easy to remember and the house number 32, and then he added "the number of teeth in the mouth" then he thought a bit and started loughing on the fact that he only has a few left. Yes he has a verry good sense of humour too and that makes him an even more a beautiful person. Actualy I seen alot of people my age more depressed than he is, even when he told me about how hard it is for him he did it in a manly manner, not pissed or angry nor depresed, he just told me the facts like any other facts. Like a person who is sure that tomorrow everything will be better. The way he walks and carry's his bycicle around, the clearness in thoughts, the humour, the positiveness and optimism, tought me a lesson already. I kinda felt older inside than he is. Well can't wait to see him, gotta go finish some work I have so I make sure I have time to stay as long as he pleases when I go.

Here he is with his bycicle not a verry good photo but I thought I share this one too for you guys.

Thanks again for the thoughts and I'll let you guys know how it went.

PS @Tiberius - de fapt a spus "optzÃ£shtri" ca e ardelean :)) Multa sanatate tatalui tau!

Message edited by author 2004-08-24 03:33:27.

PerezDesignGroup

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

08/24/2004 03:43:48 AM · #16

Beautiful. Thanks for posting this.

aKiwi

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

08/24/2004 04:09:12 AM · #17

I enjoyed reading that too.
I have so much trouble with taking pictures of people in public places. I don't want to upset anyone, but I find they are normally the best pictures.

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

08/27/2004 02:51:27 AM · #18

I just wanned to let everyone know that the meeting didn't go as I thought it would, infact didn't go at all. I went there but he whasn't home, his son opened the dor, then because I didn't know his name I had to explain the entire image deal, and that I'm looking for an old man who lives there, he said he's gone somewhere with his byke and he doesn't know when he returns, and that I should live the picture with him and he will hand it to the old man. So I gave it to him. Now that I think better I could of probably said that I wanna give it to him personally but it's too late, I screwed it. Well maybe I meet him again on the streets one day, this town is really small...

Thanks again for all your comments!

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

08/27/2004 02:58:10 AM · #19

Originally posted by frumoaznicul:

A great example of true photography, great work.

AmiYuy

Nikon Coolpix 8700

08/27/2004 03:03:55 AM · #20

Originally posted by frumoaznicul:

Try going back sometime later in the week and ask how he liked it. I'm sure he'd love to talk with you as well.

08/27/2004 03:25:48 AM · #21

Originally posted by Ami Yuy:

Try going back sometime later in the week and ask how he liked it. I'm sure he'd love to talk with you as well.

You know what, I think you are right, I'm gonna say I whas in that area and I decided to enter see how he liked it. Thanks for the ideea I think I'm going to do that! I just hope I will find him home. Looks like he likes to go out alot :))

Message edited by author 2004-08-27 03:27:13.

08/27/2004 12:11:35 PM · #22

You have to go back and talk to him!

09/11/2004 01:04:02 PM · #23

...

Message edited by author 2004-09-12 01:40:41.

Sonifo

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

09/11/2004 01:13:45 PM · #24

Awesome shots! You did good!

What a pleasure it is to listen to these folks. They tell the stories of long ago. Pretty soon these stories will only be read in books. :-(

I wish more folks would spend time with the elderly. They need us!