Flotsam (Neal Williams)

[Peter Schrager]

NEAL

may the photographic gods look after you in heaven....you had a great sense of humor...thanks, Neal!!
Best, Peter

 

[pentaxuser]

What a terrible find. I hope it was in his sleep and he knew nothing about it. The people you meet first on the site always stand out. He was one of them.

pentaxuser

 

[Bob F.]

As has been said, one of the very best on this forum.

My condolences to his friends and family who have clearly lost a wonderful person.

 

[Ian Grant]

A sad passing, his contributions will be missed.

Ian

 

[Daniel Lawton]

When I first came to this site Neal was one of the most active and positive individuals on APUG. He was one of the keystone members who embodied all of the good things that this site represents. I can recall nothing negative or harmful coming out of his mouth and in today's internet age that is indeed rare. Truly a person we can all learn from. A huge loss indeed.

 

[wfe]

Rest in Peace Neal, you will be missed.

~Bill

 

[Shmoo]

My sincerest sympathies to Neal's family & friends. He will be missed by all of us on APUG.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

I remember reading Neal's comments with interest. I am very sorry to ready this and extend my condolences to his family and loved ones.

Sean, perhaps we can honor his passing with pasting his excellent signature like Dr. Bob? One of those simple truths that helped me turn my aversion to grain once upon a time.

- Thomas

 

[peters2004]

To Flotsam's APUG Friends

Thank you all for your kind remarks about Neal. I'm sure he would be as happy as I am right now, to see all of your postings.

Neal was my photographic mentor and even though I am not currently doing analog photography, rarely does a day go by that I don't capture a few images.

And rarely did a day go by that Neal and I did not talk photography.

Back in 1975 I used Neal's darkroom to prepare my portfolio (with Neal looking over my shoulder) that got me into The School of Visual Arts in NYC. As it turns out, I was never much at chemistry, processing and printing but I was very lucky to have Neal close at hand over all these years. He was a master technician in the lab and a talented artist as well. His skill at composing a shot never ceased to amaze me but as you all seem to know, he was so totally humble about it.

I miss him terribly, but it warms my heart to know that he touched so many with his vast knowledge of photography, his fantastic sense of humor, quick wit and his uncanny ability to always stay on an even keel.

He was very proud to a part of the APUG community and he spoke of all of you often.

Thanks again for keeping his memory alive.

Peter

 

[jd callow]

It breaks my heart that Neil may not know how deeply he was appreciated. If it were possible I'd make a rule that no one dies before we tell them how we feel.

 

[colrehogan]

I'm sorry to hear of Neal's passing. My condolences to Neal's family and friends. He will be missed.

 

[Eric Rose]

As far as I can tell Flotsam's last post was to welcome a new member. Seems to fit doesn't it.

I will miss him.

 

[Buster6X6]

Neal You will be missed. I always enjoyed reading his contributions and sense of humor. Rest in peace.

Greg

 

[Jersey Vic]

I'm very sorry to hear of Neals passing. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

 

[brimc76]

My condolences to Neal's family and friends. He will certainly be missed here.

Brian

 

[peters2004]

Flotsam's last post

As far as I can tell Flotsam's last post was to welcome a new member. Seems to fit doesn't it.

I will miss him.

Eric,

That is a keen observation indeed and it fits like a glove...

...classic Neal, a kind gesture with a touch if irony.

Peter

 

[Dinesh]

I too, would like to express my sympathies to both Neal's family and friends.

 

[Kerik]

One of the good guys, for sure. Sorry for this sad news...

 

[snallan]

So sorry to hear this news. My condolences to his family and friends.

 

[peters2004]

Flotsam's signature

Thank you Sean, for placing Neal's very original signature on the APUG banner.

It happens to be another fine example of Neal's ability to sift through complexity and arrive, miraculously and often comically at some simple conclusion. In this case, silver-halide crystals, the most fundamental component of analog photography. As we all know, be it fine or large, you can't have a photograph without grain.

You have truly honored Neal with this gesture and brought a smile to my face.

I know his family and all his friends will feel the same.

Thanks

Peter

 

[Sanjay Sen]

Thanks Sean, it's a wonderful way to remember Neal and his contributions on this forum.

 

[Early Riser]

Very sad news indeed. A fellow photographer and as it turns out, a neighbor.

My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

 

[Jim Chinn]

Very sad news. I always enjoyed his posts and contributions. He will be missed.

 

[Snapshot]

I too am sorry to hear of Neil's passing. I'm sure he'll be missed by APUG.

 

[Chuck_P]

I read on APUG far more than I post and there are folks that you learn to perk up for and listen to whey they have something to contribute. "Flotsam", though I never knew or conversed with him, made me want to listen. A great loss to APUG.