Tuesday, September 14, 2010

With Camera In Hand.......


I would like to say I was cleaning house when I found this photo; I wasn't. I was moving *stuff* from point A to point B in an effort to find a clear space to deposit more *stuff* on. It is another from the days of real film and f-stops, pre-digital, 1994.
I know exactly where I was; a small cemetery that now is exposed to the elements thanks to "progress"--a trailer facility that built some of the heinous, dangerous FEMA trailers. Yes, I say that with both venom and disgust. The building location ruined a piece of farmland and surrounding woods. It is an oozing open wound upon the landscape.
The cemetery is still atop a high hill, but most of the lovely protective trees are gone; the soil there is sandy and with each year and each heavy rain, more erodes. Frankly, I would not be surprised if at some point the inhabitants of the cemetery are deposited upon the trailer-sales building below. (which is a strange and humorous form of justice in Anne-Land)
And what does this have to do with anything, you ask?
My forefathers rest there.
The Thomas and Armstrong plots are at the top of that hill. When they were laid to rest, one would assume they would always BE at rest.
I was out shooting Spring flowers with a friend (now passed), who took the photo of me. It is a favorite. Many people ask why, because my face doesn't show, my hair was a wreck--thrown into a ponytail and hidden under a bandanna, I was dressed in my worst clothing.
But I was doing what I still love most---recording the seasons as they change. Laying atop the graves of my kin, covered with blankets of wildflowers, more delightful than any premade arrangement, in the quiet of birds and the wind. All was good. Everything was right with the world.
My old Canon AE-1, before the numerous and expensive repairs, shooting black and white film that I would develop and print. A day recorded in focusing and framing and shutter clicks.
Don't get me wrong; I love the digital age of photography in that you can see what you have instantly. But still, there is the side of me that misses so the smell of developer and stop-bath, counting off seconds, the smothering darkness required to load the film into the developing canister.........
And above all else, the physical freedom to just GO and move and shoot what I wanted. A day spent in the woods with no thought to anything other than the next click of the camera.
Yes, I think this is still my favorite photo of me as it is me at work.
And all these years later, I still do the same thing, but with more groaning and less grace.
All said fondly, of course.

Pax....

30 comments:

Ces Adorio said...

It is too, now my favorite photo of you!

Ces Adorio said...

Another thing, it's terrible about what is happening to the cemetery. It says a lot about our society when we can no longer even give respect and consideration for a plot of land where our forefathers rest. It is such a shame, such a shame!

Ces Adorio said...

And one more thing, it is never wise to build a house above someone's known resting ground. Never shall it be peaceful.

Ces Adorio said...

And last thing for this morning, how are you?

Ces Adorio said...

Ooops, forgot...TSUP!

Ces Adorio said...

Love this"no comment moderation" thingie...

Ces Adorio said...

Hahahhahah! I love you. Bye! TSUP!

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Good Morning Anne Sweetie...
What a beautiful share this morning. I too love this photo of you. It says so much about you, but mostly you love nature, you love photographing and you love family. I am so sorry to hear that the family cemetery has been exposed to the elements. Why is that they only want the land that has passion and love abounding? Wouldn't they be surprised to be sitting in their offices and have a forefather come to visit, box and all? Yes I think that would be justice for sure.

How's the foot going sweetie? I hope you are still taking it easy and not pushing yourself. Baby steps remember.

Many hugs and much love for a beautiful Tuesday, Sherry

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hi Sherry!

Yep, I think it would be poetic justice to have the remains slide down the hill, right into the sales office of the trailer place! HAHA!
I do think I am going to try and drive over there today and shoot a pic and post to this; just to show what this county does in search of *business*. (more like monkey business....)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Ces Adorio said...

Be careful. Enjoy your day! Tsup!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

CES!!! LOL!!!
I am glad you are having fun---the internet went off before I could get my answer posted.

The ground was reconsecrated since it was rather *public* now. I could not go----it had always been *mine*; my family, my quiet spot, my place to photograph and think.
People here have lost respect for anything that is not an instant profit. I should take a photo of the mess and post it......if I feel like getting out today, I might. I just might.....you would be amazed at the ugliness of that stinking mess! Show our county at it's finest! LOL!!!

XXOO~~from the Camera girl♥♥♥
TSUP!
Anne

yoborobo said...

Anne - I love this pic of you, too! I am sorry to have been gone from Blog World, I hope I haven't missed too many posts from everyone. :) The other day I was walking across a parking lot, and it DIDN'T HURT - lol!!! I stopped in amazement!
As for what they did to the cemetery, well, I hope there is some serious haunting going on below them.
Have a fabulous day! We are having some seriously glorious weather here. xox! Pam

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Pam,

Real life trumps blogland---I ahve to escape now and then and work. I'm going out for lunch with a friend and am taking the camera to photograph the big-arse uglu building and mess....will repost later today......
Take care!!!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Linda and Michelle said...

Absolutely love this photo of you! And you sound quite "Ansel Adams"-ish in your photography. The amount of change in the last two decades is just phenomenal, and I can't help but wonder what's in store for us. Have you read "The World is Flat?" Great read on change......

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Linda,

No, I have not read that; I'll have to do a search about it.
I guess the one thing with the blog was I really have become active with my camera again. I don't show photos, don't compete...it is just *mine* and what I share here.
And I think that is why I like it! Still fun!

XXOO~~♥
Anne (who appreciates the Ansel comment!)

audrey said...

It is a great photo, Anne, and I can see why it is one of your favorites. We nuts (who will do almost ANYTHING to get a good shot of something) can't help ourselves when we see something we HAVE to have a photo of. It can be dangerous, as you know. I have climbed trees, ladders, fences..... you know.
Whatever you do, please be careful with the foot, have a fun day, and enjoy your lunch out.
♥ audrey

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Audrey,

I'll just be at the side of the road to get a landscape shot---no climbing or anything! I just have to post what they have done to what used to be a beautiful, placid piece of land.
And yes, some of thecontorted positions I have been in for shots; it's a wonder my whole body is not shaped like a pretzel!!! :D

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Deborah said...

Great photo of Anne the photographer. I love love! Ces is a nut. I am on my other computer and I do not like it. Must call Dell about my favorite...got a blue screen this morning. **kisskiss** Deb

Marie S said...

I miss the smell of linseed oil like that.
I also miss the pain free movement. LOL!!
It sad when I have to think twice about getting on the floor!
Have a great week.
Are you almost done?

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Oh no Deb! The Blue Screen of DEATH!!! Call them and give them a piece of your mind...and mine too while you're at it! LOL!
Sorry about computer woes; don't we all suffer that???

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Marie.....

Nope. Long way to go. Had to take today off; pain from the doc outting yesterday. Will be back at it tomorrow!
*sigh*
Old, old, old......

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Deena said...

Hello Anne! I have been absent from blog world also but yours is one of the first I visited on my return and I too love this photo of you doing what you do1

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey! It's good to see you back! I just got on here; have not had a chance to get on the dashboard to see updates but will head for your blog!
Glad you're back!!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Bella Sinclair said...

Annnnnnnnne! I come wearing spangly tights, ready to dance. But what's this???? You cannot dance with me? Goodness, your poor foot! Well, I hope you are keeping off of it.

That's a great photo. I love candid shots, especially candid shots of people absorbed in things they love most.

'Tis a great shame about the cemetery. And I think I did read recently about a cemetery where the ground below is loose and moist, so the underground residents ARE traveling, albeit slowly. Anyway, I hope they restore the area with the respect it should have.

Really, the music here is making me want to dance!

xoxoxo

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

(puts on sunglasses, tights are so shiney!!!!)
Hellloooooooo Bella!
Glad you're back! Dance my dear---DANCE!
There is even more to this story; I am having to do some research before my next post.
I know in New Orleans they always had trouble keeping people buried in the past....in fact, the one hotel we used to stay at sometimes was built over half of the original French Quarter Cemetery. I tell you, it was haunted....odd things happened there.....
Now go do the can-can since I can't-can't!!! ;D

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Annie Jeffries said...

Marvelous story weaving past and present. I hope your forefathers dance gleefully on the interlopers.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hi Annie,

I am still doing a little research into the *End* of the story....hopefully to post at a later date this week!
Odd how one photo brings such a swirl of history up, eh? ;)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Elena said...

Love the photo! Love the story! HATE development...don't get me started! And I have a Canon AE and did small intro into darkroom developing and was just thinking how much I missed those smells and that I should look at taking a class.... hmmm just might have to add it to the list. By the way, AWESOME sunrise shots!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

YEah Elena, I think I am at the point of wanting to live in the utter middle of no where, especially a *nowhere* that I have no attachment to.
I still have all my darkroom equipment except for the bottles for chemicals.....i'm sure I could shut off the back of the basement and have a darkroom again; I just know with the way I zoom thru film it would cost me a fortune!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Caroline said...

I just got lost in your blog, with such understanding and sentiments of similarity… f-stops, negatives, darkrooms, and the magic of film. I do love all the new enchantment of digital… especially liked the crawling on/in graveyards upon our kin, listening to the birds and walking hand in hand with peace and contentment. I regularly did that with my mom’s resting place, recording all the seasons.
Most of all I enjoyed just laying by her side.
A pleasure meeting you, sincerely;
Caroline

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