My painful lesson

Cheryl Jacobs · Jun 2, 2009

Because my APUG friends were so supportive on "the regulars" project that I've just finished, I wanted to share the lesson I had to learn the hard way. Rather than retyping the whole thing, you can read it here: http://www.photodino.wordpress.com

I've missed some shots that I really wanted before now, but they'd always been something of much less importance, never actually missing the opportunity to photograph a friend or loved one. Everyone at the tavern is missing Deacon a great deal, and I regret having nothing to remember him by.

The whole project is now in the "regulars" gallery on Dead Link Removed

- CJ

pcyco · Jun 2, 2009

hallo

great portraits on your website.

are you using a lightsetup or is it just avaiable light.

keep on rockin´

thomas

Cheryl Jacobs · Jun 2, 2009

Thomas, all of my work is done with the careful use of available light.

- CJ

SuzanneR · Jun 2, 2009

I'm sorry to hear about not making the portrait of Deacon. It is a painful lesson. I'm heading to Florida in a few weeks, and will make some portraits of my grandmother who will be 95 soon. My other grandmother passed at the ripe age of 99 last summer, but the last few years of her life... whenever I was with her, I made a portrait. I didn't make a big deal of it.... shot them fairly quickly over her objections.

Hope I can manage a few more trips to see this grandmother in the coming years. As you say, it's important not to wait.

The chair picture is very poignant. Well done.

Marco B · Jun 2, 2009

Cheryl Jacobs said:
Everyone at the tavern is missing Deacon a great deal, and I regret having nothing to remember him by.

The whole project is now in the "regulars" gallery on Dead Link Removed

- CJ

I feel for your and the regulars's loss and the missed opportunity, but in as much as the project is concerned, I think you've done a great job finishing it the way you did. That empty chair, with the story behind it, now probably says and conveys more than the actual portrait might have...

colrehogan · Jun 2, 2009

I can sympathize with you in this regard.

vdonovan · Jun 2, 2009

Cheryl, I'm sorry for your loss. I've admired the portraits you've posted here and there on APUG in response to various threads, but I hadn't seen the whole project until now. That is really great work. Those portraits are an absolute pleasure to view, rich in character, story, and visual quality.

jasonhall · Jun 2, 2009

I have a project that I intend to shoot on Pan f with a RB67. I am going to photograph all the grandparents and greatgrandparents for my kids. The finished prints will be placed in a scrapbook by my wife who is a scrapbook junkie.

Your post (once again) inspires me and reminds me to get to it...

Jason

Don Wallace · Jun 2, 2009

Cheryl, I just sent a message via your website but I will add here too. Beautiful stuff. I love the family photographs, and the photos of the crowd in your local are the best I have ever seen of that type. Normally, I am bored by that sort of thing, but your work is truly beautiful and tender. You really capture the human experience. You also prove that time in a bar with friends is well-spent.

Oddly enough, the photo of Deacon is the one we might remember the most. Your creative vision and imagination made a missed opportunity into a beautiful photograph about human relationships and our own mortality. And you say you have nothing to remember him by.

Thanks so much for sharing this with us.

Shangheye · Jun 2, 2009

Having onlny got to know your work recently, I saw the image you posted tonight, and it was so different for what I normally have seen from you (people) that it was haunting in it's difference. In some sense, it's emptiness demanded a story. No better fitting tribute to Deacon, than your promise to yourself. K

My painful lesson

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