Not my Destiny Photo

Photographer’s Note

Shot by macro from Kodak photo print.

Sometimes a photo, no matter how badly taken or old it gets, still remains of great value to bring back that memory that otherwise could be lost forever. I have kept many things over the years, from ticket stubs, letters, photos, car plates [Big Sky Country, Sunshine State, etc] , ice hockey banners, coins, roadmaps, everything that was of interest to me. A trait apparently influenced a great deal by my mother.

She was graduating after summer session with a bachelor in arts and I was a post-graduate student from Malaysia. We met in early autumn 1982 in a group event. Somehow she captivated me with her characteristic smile and bright personality. We quickly became good friends. Then she asked. And I agreed. No, not about that. And not - I asked and she agreed or that sort of marriage thing. It was about asking me to be her graduation photographer. Well, I was excited about it that she would ask only after knowing me a short few days. And I pretended I was a good photographer. How good? You tell me about this photo.

We had lots of fun together and she was very nice girl. But, not my destiny. Jane left the next day after graduation and although we promised to keep in touch, that was never to be. She returned to Taiwan. How many times in your life you have had such experience that can last you a lifetime to remember the good times? Well, Jane was one of mine to remember. And isnt it great that photography can be so important part of that process?

stego, ImageMaker, patdeph, jlbrthnn, molla, saylan-cb, trebuA, feather, Charo, noborders, fanni, Kielia, Bluejeans, skippy007, maloutim has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

stego (22336) 2008-11-12 15:45

Hi Tony,
A touchy story... Thank you for sharing it with us, namely because I bet I am not the only one that was reminded of events alike that usually are forgotten in my deepest memories. It's intriguing how we remember so well some fugacious moments and people we saw only for one day or two when not only hours...
I think you were already a great photographer. Honestly! Only a great portrait would be able to still have the great appeal that it has when it was so badly beaten by its age. Although it's not a close up, her pretty face stands out, maybe helped by that OE spot behind her that could have ruined the whole photo.
TFS, Regards, José.

DariaK (641) 2008-11-12 18:30

I like your story and this old picture very much. The photo especially reminds me of many of mine...and many of the memories that go with them. I took less pictures then but they evoke more memories. Thank you for reminding me of this.

Daria

ImageMaker (83) 2008-11-12 18:38

A priceless picture need not to be a perfect shot anyway Bill. You captured her happy expressions very well.
Dennis

patdeph (17452) 2008-11-12 22:35

hello Bill
this is a nice and touching story,and I like this picture with its out-of-date aspect!No need for a picture to be perfect,the emotion that is coming out is really more important,and that's what this photo is giving!TFS!
Cheers
Pasale

Waylim (10717) 2008-11-12 23:45

An old and faded photograph, but the memories are crystal clear and sharp, that all that matter. Thanks for sharing a very intimate part of your life. You're a very sentimental person with a great sense of value in frienships. Thanks Bill.
Way

toto (18563) 2008-11-13 1:04

Bonjour,
belle photo de cette jeune étudiante qui assise sur son banc, chapeau bas vous souris pour la prise de votre beau portrait.

Amitiés Thomas.

siamesa (12465) 2008-11-13 3:07

Hello Bill,
I loved your history.This picture of this girl is very good and the significant that that moment had to you is special. Thanks for sharing with us.
Regards
Maria

jlbrthnn (37000) 2008-11-13 3:11

Hello Bill,
It was short and intense meeting. It is those which leave the most good memories. There is nothing to regret. I like this portrait and these colors which suggest that the best passed. Congratulations.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

rodgerg (23151) 2008-11-13 3:12

Hello Bill,

Touching story. Nice old shot, the glance, the expression and the smile are very well collecetd. I like especially the out-of-date aspect with red/pink colour.

Best regards,
have a good day,

Roger

trebuA (0) 2008-11-13 4:58

Hello Bill,
I fully agree with all critiques here and I think your image deserves a new life after 26 years. In a workshop I had a try to make the original colors reappear. As it's the first time I made such heavy adjustments, I don't know if I did well but for sure you know better, so please tell me.
Regards,
Guy

[workshop] [compare]

sayanwithsenice (717) 2008-11-13 6:48

Hi ,

I think that the oldness of this photographs adds a whole new dramatic effect . The lady is positioned beautifully and this kind of tone is very much a novelty I am seeing .. So congratzz for this shot . I am impressed by the way you compose and select your photographs..

molla (6877) 2008-11-13 7:30

In one way it's not that long time ago, but looking at it it seems to be far more elderly, maybe because of the bleeched colors the dust and other things that normaly agin photos, in a way it's a photo that talkes to us by our hearts because we all have those memories those peolple we.ve meet and have a certain relationship with that was in that spesific moment of life and may then never moore.
It's a bit melancholic but I love it.
terima kasi
Anders

saylan-cb (12726) 2008-11-13 8:30

Hi Bill,
Very nice photo and good note.
Well done!
TFS/Regards

feather (49848) 2008-11-13 12:40

I know exactly what you mean. People that come and go in your life and you are left wondering how life has treated them and what direction they took. No doubt she thinks of you every time she looks at her graduation photos.
Kath

Charo (31651) 2008-11-13 13:49

Hello Bill,
Good story to accompany this photo of times a student, I believe we all had a story similar to yours, where one person went through your life briefly and left a good memory.
Best regards,
Charo

noborders (14197) 2008-11-15 12:03

So different from your other photos - and in fact, I like it a lot... there is so much feeling in this portrait (and nostalgia in your text) !
I've marked the WS as "useful" but your version touches me more... The faded colours
Have you got some more ?
Best regards,
Cath.

fanni (8713) 2008-11-16 4:15

Hello Bill,
you wrote a very interesting story in your note, and I must say that in many ways this can be referred to my life and thoughts and remembrances of travellings, too.

The photo and the story go very well together. Discarding the quality (colours) of the photo (it's the subject and mood that matter in this case) I must say that this shot is good! And I like the composition.
Best regards,
Elena

Kielia (8195) 2008-11-16 4:28

Hi Bill,
thanks for sharing these precious memories! I can very well understand why you are keeping those documents. Your story is really soul touching and hopefully she will also share your emotions when looking at this beautiful photo. My compliments!
Warm regards
Harriet

Bluejeans (31633) 2008-11-16 7:45

Ola Bill
Bonita historia com uma bela foto , muito bonita a expressão da face dela , gostei dos detalhes, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

skippy007 (6817) 2008-11-16 17:08

Hello Bill, Lovely story, one that I can relate to but no photos to prove, my father destroyed them when he saw that things were getting serious with the new girlfrind & the one that I eventually married & still married to. Even in those days you knew where to place your subject a budding photographer that is for sure. Again a lovely story & a very lovely image, I think the original has more appeal, maybe just because of it's authenticity.
Thanks for sharing that with us.
Regards
Santo

Angshu (33324) 2008-12-03 23:16

Hello Bill
It's been a long time since I visited your gallery & to be honest I did miss out a lot. I congratulate you for posting this very nostalgic shot. Reading your note, was a touching experience. Colours & quality is not important here, but it's the memories which count. Thanks for sharing them with us Bill
Best Regards
Angshu