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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Amazing Story in the LA Times
Sam Hodgson, Photographer, Photo Editor
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San Diego | CA | United States | Posted: 3:09 AM on 11.21.07 |
->> Here's a story that truly speaks to the power of photography and the impact it can have on people's lives. For those who haven't already read it, take a moment and click through to this link:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-photog21nov21,0,3934852.story?coll=la-home-center |
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Martin McNeil, Photographer
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East Kilbride | South Lanarkshi | United Kingdom | Posted: 9:09 AM on 11.21.07 |
->> Being a father of a 16-month old son and with my wife in 2nd trimester with #2, this story affected me deeply and I needed to take a few minutes away from the screen.
The article is humbling and yet inspirational - knowing that, even during a family's darkest moments, there are fellow photographers who capture and preserve priceless moments that will be cherished by the parents for the rest of their days.
Such compassion and generosity (none of the NILMDTS photographers are paid for their efforts; they all volunteer their time and services for free) restores my faith in humanity. |
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Geoff Miller, Photographer
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Portage | MI | USA | Posted: 9:17 AM on 11.21.07 |
| ->> I stumbled across this organization a year or so ago. My hat is off to the volunteer photographers. There's no way I could do it. The incredible photos they take are both touching and devastating at the same time. "Memorial" or "Mortuary" photography used to be quite common in the 19th Century, but became "improper" in many circles in the 20th. |
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Geoff Miller, Photographer
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Portage | MI | USA | Posted: 9:22 AM on 11.21.07 |
| ->> I didn't see it listed in the LAT story, but also visit their web site: http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/ (You'll likely want some tissues nearby first.) |
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Alex Menendez, Photographer
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Orlando | FL | USA | Posted: 9:29 AM on 11.21.07 |
->> Thanks for the link Sam,
Makes me realize how lucky I am.......
A very emotional read for parents on this site.
alex |
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Scott Sewell, Photographer
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Topeka | KS | USA | Posted: 10:54 AM on 11.21.07 |
->> Yep. Tissues are necessary when reading about this organization.
Every time I read about this organization I think I might want to do this, but I just can't seem to make the move. Isn't there a saying along the lines of "the greater the difficulty, the more glory in overcoming it"? I would imagine this would fall into that category...extremely difficult, yet probably as rewarding as photography can be.
Thanks for posting this. Very appropriate considering tomorrow is Thanksgiving. |
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Debra L Rothenberg, Photographer
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New York | NY | USA | Posted: 1:54 PM on 11.21.07 |
->> Flag this moderators if you wish
BUT
what is up with the MORON here who flags posts like this with an "OFF TOPIC"???? This is about photography--HOW IS THIS OFF TOPIC?????
Since they know who tags posts, I think it's about time they contact those members that are quick to do this. |
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Curtis Clegg, Photographer
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Belvidere | IL | USA | Posted: 2:01 PM on 11.21.07 |
->> I e-mailed Lee Sinco at the LA Times after I watched his "Marlboro Marine" for the second time, and he wrote back saying, in part, "I hope the story stirs people to action. do what you can."
I wasn't sure exactly what he thought I (and others) should do to help the returning veterans like James Blake Miller. Personally I feel a great need to help and support veterans whenever I can.
So I sent Lee a followup note asking for elaboration, and his reply (with permission) follows:
"there are many things to do. teach your children well. volunteer at their school. let your elected officials know what
you think. help build a house. mentor a kid. share your
area of expertise with our youth. the trillion dollars we're
going to spend in iaq has to come from somewhere. my guess
is the help of those able to give will be needed in
communities across the country. maybe i'm wrong, but just look
around. you will find something to do."
It wasn't the reply I was expecting, but it's the reply I needed to hear. I was expecting a reply narrowly focused on veterans, but Lee reminded me that there is a whole world of suffering and need out there, and our photographic skills ar just a small part of what we each have to offer.
Thanks for the reminder about Now I Lay me Down to Sleep... I can't think of a more worthy use of photography skills.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. |
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Larry Clouse, Photographer
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Monument | CO | USA | Posted: 11:30 PM on 11.21.07 |
->> I've been a NILMDTS photographer for almost a year now. I had first heard about them a couple of years ago and it took me almost a year to summon the courage to send in my application. The portrait sessions themselves seem to me to be like holy ground. It is a very intimate time for the family and one that I feel honored to be invited into.
The difficult part for me is in the days following the session when I am alone in my office working on the prints for the family. That is when the emotionality of the experience really sinks in.
NILMDTS is a wonderful community and the work very meaningful. |
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Curtis Clegg, Photographer
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Belvidere | IL | USA | Posted: 6:09 PM on 03.04.08 |
->> The Today show is scheduled to do a story on NILMDTS during the 8:30 half-hour tomorrow (Wednesday, 3/5). An excerpt from the e-mail I just got from them:
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Provided all goes as planned, tomorrow morning the Today Show (NBC) will profile an NILMDTS photographer and family out of the Minnesota in the 8:30am half hour.
Today Show Reporter Kerry Sanders phoned me this afternoon to say he's been told to get on a plane and head to New York City to "front" the story he and Producer Vicky Collins put together out of the Twin Cities. As of this writing, he's currently sitting in a terminal in Miami awaiting boarding for his NYC flight.
The Today show invested a lot in this story - they went to Minnesota multiple (3-4) times for various aspects of the show, even shooting it in a "film" look. By hiring a Producer, a local Photographer and Sound/Audio person as well as all of the follow up editing trips, by my educated (former life in TV news) guess, they spent thousands of dollars on this story and as you'll hear Kerry say, it's one of the most powerful he's ever done. |
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Bill Miller, Photographer
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David Eulitt, Photographer
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Kansas City | MO | USA | Posted: 9:55 AM on 03.05.08 |
->> Not to slight the LA Times piece at all, but Allison Long from the Kansas City Star shot an amazing story last year on a Kansas City area woman under similar circumstances, only Allison followed the story all the way to the end. The project was the best thing in our paper in 2007. Check it out...
http://www.kansascity.com/static/media/Audio_Photo_Gallery/ |
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Bill Miller, Photographer
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Ed J. Szalajeski, Photographer
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Portland | ME | USA | Posted: 2:43 PM on 03.05.08 |
->> As someone who has helped this organization, here locally, it is the most beautiful think you can do in a time of grieving.
You think you get nervous for a wedding, I think I was more nervous for this type of shoot. I was not sure I could do it, but when I saw the parents, the emotion and the simple fact that I helped make a difference (though little in the grand scheme of things) it was time well spent.
If anything it does bring you to appreciate the little things in life.
EJS |
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Cliff Lawson, Photographer
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Parker | CO | USA | Posted: 1:32 AM on 03.06.08 |
->> I am one of the affiliated photographers. (I would guess there are many SS members who are). I have done four of these so far this year and yes it is tough - more in the editing than the shooting - but I know I am giving the parents something they would not otherwise have.
During the shoot, the technical part takes your concentration - during the editing you see the baby in frame after frame. All of us make a CD of the images for the parents and many of us collect the best, make a movie DVD with music donated by musicians around the world. I often weep as I watch the DVD I just made.
With all the talent in this sportsshooter organization, many more of you should become involved. Spreading the workload among more of us. Doing too many in close succession is draining emotionally, but I cannot say no.
Go to NILMDTS.org and volunteer. |
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