Loved and looked-after

[Don Ellis]

It wasn't long after Leela's mother came to live with us in 1999 that her mobility began to leave her.

Within a year we had moved her bedroom to the ground floor, bought her a cane (which at first she hated and later refused to be without), then installed handrails that we put in position every night to lead her directly from bed to bathroom -- along with a disco light tube so she could find her way :) -- and finally presented her with a tiny-lady-sized wheelchair and held our collective breath until she told us she loved it.

She's no longer with us but I am left with an empathy for people who ride in wheelchairs and the people who accompany them. I wasn't ambushing this pair, just focusing on some live fish tanks in front of a restaurant when they rolled up and paused before entering. I refocused and, for my tastes, got a much nicer shot than doomed fish.

I like the way the man is highlighted while his daughter/granddaughter is there in the background for him.

http://www.kleptography.com/dl/fm/wheelchair.jpg

Cheers,

Don

It's a Canon G1 infrared through a 093 filter.

[alpine62uk]

Wonderful shot, This photo says so some much and I like the backgorund info, helps you get more from the shot.

Very nice.

[E-Photographer]

Seriously Don, what a nice picture! Perfect composition, very nice light and focus. The granddaughter looks like an angel pushing his wheelchair.

[dewmuw]

Wow Don, great work as usual mate.

I like the message in the picture, so often the person in the wheelchair is overlooked so it is nice to see the guy highlighted by your shot!

[Dimitry]

Great story behind the picture as well. I think it kind of lets us into your world a little bit too, and see the same thing behind this picture that you do. Thanks for both!

[robekert]

I like the way the man is highlighted while his daughter/granddaughter is there in the background for him.

As do I Don. It is a great capture. Great luck, I guess. You couldn't have orchestrated, or asked for such a lovely narrative. As you may remember my son is mentally disabled, and I know of this woman's devotion and purpose. Just a great, great shot.
Cheers,
Rob

P.S. If we don't "talk" again, Happy Holidays to you and your family. RE

[CyberDyneSystems]

Lovely moment Don,

Thanks :)

[Moppie]

Another great capture!
The infrared has such a strong impact on portraits, it really isolates the subject from the background, or in this case the subject, from another subject, from the background.
Its very effective.

[marie]

absolutely wonderful shot Don

[stoneylonesome]

Beautiful shot Don, love it in B&W infrered. Nice job.

[Don Ellis]

Sorry I haven't had time to reply to each of you... especially since everyone had such nice, personal things to share. I'm glad you enjoyed the photo.

It was a good example of one of my photographic tenets -- the photo you're going after is not always the one you get. I thought I would get some island shots, a little scenery and some crowd photos; instead, I got something strikingly personal.

Have a great holiday, folks. I'll think of you all.

Cheers,

Don

[Don Ellis]

Wow Don, great work as usual mate.

I like the message in the picture, so often the person in the wheelchair is overlooked so it is nice to see the guy highlighted by your shot!
You're so right, Damian. I do my best to really look at people in wheelchairs -- which is helped by my imagining how I would like to be seen if I were on rollers. :)

Cheers,

Don

[sparker1]

No need to rerply. I just found this photo to be very touching. An actual case where a picture is worth a thousand words...or more. Thanks for sharing your perspective.

[marie]

I loved the story about Santha Don

thanks for telling it
it's wonderful
especially the string of lights along the ground

I always thought they were a great idea in a cinema but never thought of them used for what you describe.

what a great idea

wishing you and yours a very happy C*h*r*i*s*t*m*a*s


:)

[Don Ellis]

I loved the story about Santha Don
thanks for telling it
it's wonderful
especially the string of lights along the ground
:)
Hi Marie,

I should have taken a photo because it was even cuter than that -- I hung the light hose about four inches below the railing so they were close together visually (and, as a bonus, the light reflected off the stainless steel). The light-green glow was really something to see -- sort of Christmas year-round. When I switched it on for the first time, I stood back and thought, Yeah, I want one of those myself.

Thanks for your holiday wishes. We're probably going to find some island to go to and work on our tan... well, I am, anyway... Leela's tan enough. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

Cheers,

Don

[marie]

Hi Marie,

I should have taken a photo because it was even cuter than that -- I hung the light hose about four inches below the railing so they were close together visually (and, as a bonus, the light reflected off the stainless steel). The light-green glow was really something to see -- sort of Christmas year-round. When I switched it on for the first time,

I stood back and thought, Yeah, I want one of those myself.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif
gets even better

I can just imagine you thrilled looking at the set up Don,
like a child looking at a christmas tree http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

someone will be lucky when they may need the same treatment, another day from you,
or even yourself (shock)

set it up now ,
just in case
he he

hope the sun shines on your faces all over the season

we have son and his wife driving (and sailing) over from London on Monday for eight days
(they come every christmas )
..I never ask anyone in case it puts them 'on the spot'
and it does not suit them and they maybe wouldn't know 'how to refuse'

so I say nothing as I honestly don't mind.
never want people to do anything because they feel 'they ought to'

and it happens every year...they are here
it just happens
(this is their first year as a married couple)

my brother Paul who lives alone (and wasn't so well over years) always comes too. (and others dropping by like everyone has)

it will be a little sad for you both this year with Leela's sister and mother missing on this little planet
but she has you http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif and she knows how much that means


God Bless

no doubts Santha is looking down on you both with love

we'll all be thinking of you too (laughing smilie)http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Don Ellis]

hope the sun shines on your faces all over the season
What a Christmas treat, Marie... I had to come back to this thread to save a copy of the man above and found your message, which I had not been notified of.

You're right about setting up the railing now, while I still have the wits to assemble it. :D

The sun should definitely shine on us as we're spending Christmas in Phuket, Thailand (and for those of you who haven't heard of this resort, the "Ph" is not pronounced as an "F"). :lol: It's more of a "Poo-ket" (which looks a little suspect itself).

I hope you and your clan have a wonderful holiday and an even better New Year.

Cheers,

Don

[LAWSON McCULLOCH]

What a beautiful shot, thanks for sharing it with us.

[UK_Terry]

Great shot don, makes you appriciate your own mobility and ability to take photos.

[Ballen Photo]

Don, It's a beautiful thing, to see a person care for a Loved one.:)
Thanks for sharing this.
-Bruce

[G2Jim]

Great quality work Don; the photo technically as well as touching nature. Best wishes to you for the holidays and new year!

[marie]

What a Christmas treat, Marie... I had to come back to this thread to save a copy of the man above and found your message, which I had not been notified of.

You're right about setting up the railing now, while I still have the wits to assemble it. :D

The sun should definitely shine on us as we're spending Christmas in Phuket, Thailand (and for those of you who haven't heard of this resort, the "Ph" is not pronounced as an "F"). :lol: It's more of a "Poo-ket" (which looks a little suspect itself).

I hope you and your clan have a wonderful holiday and an even better New Year.

Cheers,

Don




Don we will be very very glad to hear that you and Leela are ok

so very sorry to hear and see the tragedy which has happened in those islands all around there
many many people have died from the unexpected tidal waves which hit other islands after the earthquake

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1165253,00.html



http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13271122,00.html


God Bless and
take care

[charlesu]

Excellent composition. Nice capture.

[amitnike]

cudnt have been any better don .. awesome

[amitnike]

hey people DOns in Phuket for xmas ......... its been hit by the tidals waves tooo. jus pray to god tht alls fine with hima nd pthers over thr ... and yes don we ould like to hear from u that ur all fine over thr .

god be with u all

[Ballen Photo]

hey people DOns in Phuket for xmas ......... its been hit by the tidals waves tooo. jus pray to god tht alls fine with hima nd pthers over thr ... and yes don we ould like to hear from u that ur all fine over thr .

god be with u allThanks for the heads up Amit. I'll repeat Amits request; Don? Please answer this post if you can. I realize that communication with Phuket may be down there, but it would be nice to hear that you're OK.
So sad, the news of this disaster.:(
-Bruce