Luminous Landscape Forum
The Art of Photography => User Critiques => Topic started by: Chris Calohan on October 12, 2013, 10:08:13 am
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While it may seem a bit macabre to record your own mother's passing, I was as compelled to make this shot as she was to make the journey into the next life. It was an easy transition and she was surrounded by all who loved her. I'm not sure any of us could ask for more. Within 10 seconds of this shot, she was gone. I will miss her dearly, and love her always.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8278/10225765704_b86d96c372_o.jpg)
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Great shot.
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My condolences, Chris.
Very powerful, very Eugene Smith. Even for us without a direct emotional attachment.
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I'd echo what Slobodan said. Intensely powerful, moving image.
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I did the same for both my mother and father. Later when I needed to truly let go, I made deathbed paintings. Very cathartic indeed.
A powerful loss.
My condolences,
Peter
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Bravo!, Chris. It's a wonderful shot.
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Not macabre. A bookend to what I hope was a good life, and a beautiful image.
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Yes, I agree. My condolences.
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Let me add my condolences as well Chris and echo what others have said. It is indeed a very powerful shot.
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My condolences. A portrait full of dignity and love.
Harald
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A beautiful homage.
Mike.
My favourite poem on the subject:
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on the snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.
"Throughout the years, this poem has appeared in many places and in many forms. The original was written in 1942 by Baltimorean Mary Frye on the back of a brown paper bag. Frye wrote the poem for a friend whose mother had died in Germany; the daughter had been unable to attend the funeral because of World War II."
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Chris,
Please let me add my condolences to you and your family for your sad loss. That is a wonderful and solemn image. Taken together with the poem that Wolf posted I am deeply moved.
Thank you for sharing this with us. It cannot have been an easy decision to post this image. I hope you can draw comfort at this sad time from your fellow members of this community.
May she rest in peace.
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A beautiful homage.
Mike.
My favourite poem on the subject:
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on the snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.
"Throughout the years, this poem has appeared in many places and in many forms. The original was written in 1942 by Baltimorean Mary Frye on the back of a brown paper bag. Frye wrote the poem for a friend whose mother had died in Germany; the daughter had been unable to attend the funeral because of World War II."
Very nice. I think I am going to use it at her memorial service. I know she is quite at peace and somewhere she's found another Class V white-watercourse to raft, a ten mile hike to mark a new trail or she's found a child to counsel. She will not be one to let eternity go to waste. Thanks to all for each and every comment. It wasn't easy to post the photo but for me, cathartic or whatever title, it was a much needed homage to a woman I both loved and admired. She died as she had lived; she faced her transition with absolute dignity and courage.
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Wonderful shot ~!! Pulitzer Prize image ;)
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Beautiful, heartwarming and sad.
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Wonderful shot ~!! Pulitzer Prize image ;)
Feel free to put in the nomination.
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Chris, let me add my condolences as well. I took a photo of my mother on her deathbed and have not had the courage to look at it---until now. Thank you for posting this.
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Lovely, poignant, she appears to be at peace and ready to depart this life and onward to another.
Well taken and processed!
My condolences.
David
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Wow. I don't have any other words.