A Small Moment Together

'Tears me up. (either meaning works) 'Can't say more.

The day I left to come back home after taking nearly a roll of film that was the last shot. Upon leaving I put all my gear in the car and went back inside the house. I knew it was the last time I'd see him and it was hard leaving. I hugged him a long time. As usual, I called them to let them know I'd gotten back ok and my Mom told me that he said for some reason he missed me more than he ever had when I left. He knew, too. Hospice had been coming out even while I was still there and that wasn't a good sign and I knew it. I was right. Two weeks later I got the dreaded call from my sister.

It hard to imagine imagery more meaningful. I just don't see other images of family this intimate and powerful. My call came 2 yrs ago next month, 2 yrs after my mom. Your modesty made it hard to hear my comparison w/ HCB in portraits. Ironically, it is only his portraits I find compelling. The connection w/ people, relationality, meaning - which he called 'an inner silence'. The book of that title http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/72333.An_Inner_Silence shows it well. He shot alot of famous people, but few were formal. His shots of his daughter were similar - this is who she is at this time. You're probably already familiar w/ the book or the photos. Several here do good and great portraits. I guess my weakness is for the type of portraiture you've done w/ your family. 'Just magnificent.

I always enjoyed shooting family and the interior/exterior of the house and the yard I once played in knowing at some point in time it would all change. I did, way too soon. I've looked over many negatives of them as well as others and wished I had done this or that but I can't go back and change anything or redo some I wanted to as nothing is there anymore. I have photos of my sister that would break your heart but they're digital and can't upload them here. she was like my Dad and had gotten down to around 85 pounds and looked like she had been rescued from Dachau. I'm familiar with that book but don't have it. His book, "Modern Century" is fabulous and you'd enjoy it. One photo always stands out in my mind done by W. Eugene Smith was his "Spanish Town" essay and the photo "The Wake" where a man had died from gangrene and the family was around him. It so reminds me of a Rembrandt type painting and the lighting is superb. That was in his book, "Let Truth be the Prejudice". Much can be gleaned from these photojournalist from decades before us.Thanks for your kind and generous comments about the pictures.

Wonderful-first I see the faces,then the hands...tender.

They had 56 years together and were never apart. My Mom had a rough nine years without him. What I found rather odd was the floor she was on when she passed away at the hospital and her room number were the exact ones I had at work-3rd floor, cubicle 345. She was on the 3rd floor, room 345.

Powerful image.