OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Let me start by saying…I met Earl downtown Philly at the Reading Market. I was sitting at the counter waiting for my #8. This guy comes walking slowly and carefully with a stick and bumps into me and apologies. He says, “hey man, I bumped into you because you were the closest to me. I smiled. He say’s, could you lend me a few bucks so I can eat lunch? (Look, I know a con job when I see it and I also know a person that’s blind too. He’s neither, almost.) I said sure, how much ya need? About eight bucks for #2 & water. ( in Philly, 8 bucks is a few) So James introduces himself to me and we start to talk. He’s from NE like me and not to far away. He tells me he has around 15% vision and not clear. He is legally blind and all in his life treat him as blind.
So Earl ask for my phone number cause when he’s around town and I am, he will let me buy him lunch again. A few months go by and we are eating at Sang Kee again and he tells me he loves my photos. (at this point, his lunch could get much nicer) Earl says, I have a camera but it doesn’t do what I want it to. And what is that I asked. I want to make photos that I can show to my family and friends so they can see how I see.
Oh my, what a challenge and even I don’t know how Earl see’s but I’m sure to find out quickly. He’s using a Ricoh Film camera, no model named. I told him, you must have a digital camera with an adjustable shutter speed and aperture. He asked why and I told him he needs to think about light as liquid and not as light. This was, the movement and focus can shift and distort the way he needs and the screen will show him the result. I hadn’t used my GRD3 in a long time… yes…. gave it to Earl and gave him lessons on using it. He loved that little camera.
He would make photos and he could see the shapes and blurs and was very excited. A year and a half later, Earl was awarded a medal of Excellence for his vision and images. Earl taught me many things especially about seeing what is in my heart and not my mind. One day I asked his mom how he got this way and she told me they were all sitting on the steps and a car drove by and fired a few rounds and Earl jumped in front of his mom and got a shot to the head. It grazed his head but did severe damage to his vision. She said he was her hero. I said, we are all hero’s to someone. Then she said, you be a hero to my baby and I ain’t never forget that.
I wrote this because Earl is a hero to many including me. I feel human being a hero for him. He had a hell of a vision, even for 12” from his eyes.
Rest In Peace Little Brother and I’ll be looking for you when I get there, but not yet.
Mr Don out, Goodbye Earl
It’s a funny world in which we live! Great idea to talk to anyone however they seem. You seem to be a dab hand at doing that, Don. As the saying goes – ‘more power to your elbow’.
I think this guy got a lot from what you did for him and his family.
Oh, and the photo – certainly caught my attention and made me look, and look again.
Not what you usually post but a good un.
Jesse, thanks much. In defense of myself, I mostly post photos that are from my heart. Not all but this one for sure. The thing bout that is at my age, I don’t give a shit who likes what or why or even how I do what I do….except you and some others…..Thanks again Jesse
I always think about never judging a man till you walk in their shoes, or until you get to know’em. Ya never know. We’re all human. At least some of us. Feeling it? Well, that’s another matter.
Great tribute Don. Earl sounds like my kind of guy.
Keith, thanks man. I’m kinda really upset about all this.
I know Don. I know how you must be feeling. So sorry…….
Thanks Keith.
Agree with you about the photos that you take! I take photos for myself and if anyone looks at them – fine. If folks say they don’t like them that is some sort of bonus cos I know I have impacted them in some way. If they say they like them – I can sometimes get a bit bothered cos I wonder what they are after! Funny world – gets even funnier at my age !!!
hmmmm, my kids and their kids tell me I’m as old as the hills.. So, you are either the hills or younger… I just hit 67 Oct 8th. Your right as far as photos go and I feel the same.
Thanks Jessee.
If you are as old as the hills – I much older!
Incidentally my avatar isn’t me!
Well Jesse, someone had to be older then me…..your the guy… thanks
Great story Don. I always feel inspired after reading your blogs and seeing the images you capture. Take care out there.
Thanks Dave, I always feel inspired by reading your comments.
I had to read this twice as it was so moving; thanks for posting Don.
Dean, thanks but I had to read it a few times myself. I realized I need to post some more and I will.