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The Photographer, by Don Tassone

28/8/2020

 
As a boy, he took photographs with his father’s Brownie. At family gatherings, he was always the one behind the camera.

As a teenager, he got his own camera, an Instamatic. Through the years, he had several 35mm cameras. He stored his photos in shoe boxes. When digital replaced film, he created albums on his computer.

Sometimes he would leaf through his old photos.

“Oh, what I’ve seen!” he would say.

He willed his photos to his children. When he died, going through them, they discovered there were no pictures of him, only a life as seen by the photographer.
Sandra James
28/8/2020 09:47:38 am

Great story with a subtle message - I know I hate having my photo taken but I'm sure when I'm gone my children and grandchildren won't even notice the wrinkles, messy hair, old clothes etc.

peppermint
28/8/2020 10:23:22 am

Decades ago, when we returned from our honeymoon and showed my parents our photos, they asked if I had been unable to make the trip. No pics. Same true of today's collection.

Kathy K.
28/8/2020 04:57:11 pm

Contrast this story with the selfies of today. I wonder what that says. Also, it occurred to me that Maybe the person behind the camera sees himself or herself as a part if the life being recorded, not separate from it.

Mary Wallace
28/8/2020 05:20:53 pm

This is true of all my holiday shots, but it won't be true of this generation. Phones and selfies have that covered.

Paritosh Chandra Dugar
28/8/2020 05:34:14 pm

I appreciate Kathy's comment. It echoes my own observation.
The story has a great idea to convey. Well done.

Sean Parker
28/8/2020 06:30:54 pm

Deep and very thoughtful.

Sue Clayton
29/8/2020 04:23:19 am

I would love to think my great-grandchildren could see what I looked like in years to come; as I look at photos of my own ancestors. But someone has to be behind the camera.

Swapan k Banerjee
29/8/2020 06:25:08 am

According to Flaubert, an artist in his work should be like God in creation. Present everywhere but seen nowhere. Very great, your story, Don.

Don Tassone link
29/8/2020 09:49:35 am

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments.

Al Watt
29/8/2020 12:56:28 pm

Very thought provoking. I suppose artists rarely do a self portrait


Comments are closed.

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