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John Buffin | all galleries >> Faces >> Random Portraits > A Proud Man
1.22.04
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22-JAN-2004 J. Buffin

A Proud Man
1.22.04

Spent my usual Thursday night with my grandfather at the nursing home.
As we sat and watched "Friends" together, I snuck out my camera and
started snapping away. The room was lit by a dual bulb flouresent fixture
above him. I took about 50 shots, from different angles and different settings,
trying to capture some differing facial expressions.

It came to me after cropping the image, that something needed to fill the
spot on the right. I inserted his Army Air Corps photo, and a
"proud daddy photo" from 1949. That's my mommy in the middle!

I'm dedicating this photo to my mother.
She has had a very rough few years flying back and forth to Florida
to take care of my grandfather through some of his rougher ailments,
and now in deciding to bring grandpa closer to his family, here in Illinois
so that we can give him all the love in our hearts.

He's an extremely proud man who hates to ask for anything.
Little does he know that we would give him the world.

Sony DSC-F717
1/3s f/2.3 at 26.2mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
Charles Lasnier12-Mar-2007 07:42
An excellent and insightful treatment, and a great tribute to the accomplishments of your grandfather.
George Christakos05-Feb-2007 08:55
Excellent photo and great work. V.
Ron Lutz II29-Mar-2004 15:03
This is a very well done composite! It has a lot of feeling to it. Well done!
Rebecca 30-Jan-2004 22:33
John - This is a beautiful picture. This one will definately be framed. It was so touching to see this. You have a wonderful talent. Please think about going into business. You would be wonderful.
Uncle Ken/Aunt Janice 29-Jan-2004 22:47
John, The photo is very, very nice. Your Mom must have really liked it. Hope you printed one for Grandpa. I printed several copies and gave them to Denice and Rebecca. And one for us.
When you decide to go pro, you will have a great career in photography. You have a special talent for photography, that most people wished they had.
Ken & Janice
P.S. We really enjoy looking through your photo site.
Pall Gudjonsson26-Jan-2004 09:41
This is excellent in every respect
Ray :)25-Jan-2004 00:32
You should be proud too, John. The emotional content of this image is so compelling, and your narrative is very fitting, as are the comments others have made. The lighting on your grandfather is exquisite. The original image is exceptional in itself!
robin statfeld24-Jan-2004 14:41
What a beautiful and powerful image and tribute.
Denice 24-Jan-2004 14:38
John - This leaves me speechless. It is really awesome. I don't have many pictures of Grandpa and this one is truly special. I'm going to have it framed. Thanks so much for sharing. I love it!!!! Denice
virginiacoastline23-Jan-2004 22:57
Wow, John . .the picture, the story you wrote, the sentiments from your mom . .how very touching. Your mom is very lucky to have a son who knows HOW to care. You grandfather started a great tradition . . you couldn't be you if he hadn't been 'you' first. Perfect.
Jill23-Jan-2004 18:54
Oh John...I have tears in my eyes. Such a compelling heartwarming image. I do so enjoy photographs of the elderly..faces tell such stories. I am visiting my Grandmother on Monday camera in hand. She is 99-years-old, lives alone with the care of nurses with so much to tell.
Elizabeth Glass23-Jan-2004 18:43
Wow! This is heartfelt and touching. Very, very nice.
Guest 23-Jan-2004 18:01
Beautiful portrait, John. The soft, warm light is perfect for the shot.
John Buffin23-Jan-2004 14:54
John this is just beautiful, and your decication naturally made me cry.
You are a wonderful son and grandson
You make me proud to say I'm your mother
You've maintained your #1 son status!(family joke)
I love you
Mom
Jvan Photography23-Jan-2004 06:18
John this is beautiful, I love the lighting. It is very touching.
Guest 23-Jan-2004 05:55
Perfect look and lighting. I like the added touch with the pictures.
Rob
Guest 23-Jan-2004 05:19
Beautiful. -- angela :)
wpmadden23-Jan-2004 05:11
nice retrospective John! The light and sentiment are bar none!
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