There are many wonderful moments in life. It's tough to recall one event being better than the others. Weddings, births, anniversaries, graduations, awards, etc. all come to mind.
Over the course of a lifetime, most photographers will snap millions of images. In a similar fashion, I wondered if they could single out "One Frame" as most memorable? Keep in mind, this doesn't mean best or most famous. Quite the contrary... simply most memorable.
So, I began asking photo friends this question. As expected, a wide variety of images came to light. The emotional attachments & stories behind each selection is truly fascinating. Every image speaks volumes without words, but is enhanced by the photographers memories of that moment. As a result, I've asked several of these folks if they would be kind enough to share their image & story as guest bloggers. Many have obliged and for this I am truly grateful.
To get things started... I'll begin with my most memorable image. I must admit, I gave this a fair amount of thought and kept reaching the same conclusion. Guess this falls under the theory of 'your first decision is the best'. Ironically, for a person who really doesn't shoot many portraits, I selected an image of my late father, James "Red" Carruthers. It was taken back in 1990 during his Hall of Fame induction. Little did I know 25+ years later, this would be my "One Frame."
A little background... I was the family photographer for the induction weekend being held in Ishpeming, MI. I anticipated numerous events leading up to the actual ceremony and was fixated on the fact this once-in-a-lifetime event came with personal pressure. Perhaps self imposed... but real. It's like shooting a friend's wedding. No mulligans! You have to get it right. A simple & dignified image was required.
Once I found a clean background with a Hall of Fame sign, my mental gears shifted into overdrive. The typical "Grip & Grin" pictures are great for recording a moment (i.e. cocktail parties), but often lack substance. This wall had promise though. Dad was a very easy going person, so asking him to set aside a few minutes outdoors to pose wasn't an issue. Getting him to walk through the mulch and around the landscaping took a little bit of persuading though. I sense he didn't want to dirty his recently polished shoes! We discussed a few portrait basics and I directed him to the left side of my frame. I snapped several pictures looking up at him to give him a more regal appearance. After all, it's not every day you are inducted into the National Ski Hall of Fame.
Stay tuned... I'll have various guest bloggers discuss their "One Frame" in coming weeks...
