Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/01/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Last tale for now. :-) Still life "Could you take a picture of my mother?" inquired the female telephone caller. Bill Lingard, my partner and fellow photographer replied, "Yes, when would you like to come to the studio, I'm sure we can fit you in during the next few days?" "I'm sorry it will have to be tomorrow before noon, as the service is at two." was her reply. The service she referred to was her mother's funeral service. She did not have any pictures of her mother and this was the last opportunity for a photograph before the coffin was closed. So there we were the next morning, Bill, studio lights, ladder, the lady in the coffin and me. The scene was right out of a weird horror movie. Bill who is a master portrait photographer, tried to light the old lady with Rembrandt lighting, but the sides of the coffin created a shadow over her face. So he found a pillow, lifted her up and stuffed it behind her head to lift it above the edge of the coffin and the lights made her look alive. Sort of! Bill was up the ladder making his first exposure when the daughter arrived, looking at her mother she commented on how lifelike she looked, but wondered if Bill could open her eyes? For a moment I thought he was going to fall off the ladder, but maintaining his Lancashire composure, he explained he would just as soon do the eye opening by retouching the negatives. I had to leave on assignment before he completed the retouching and when I returned I asked how she looked. "Not bad, a bit starry-eyed, but the daughter thought she looked alive." What more could he say but? "There isn't anything like shooting still life, "he replied and smiled.