Before They Go // A visual witness of elderly in Singapore

They said you'll be forever young--forever 21. You believed that your whole life. Childhood, teenage-hood, adulthood. But as life passes you by, you cross that invisible line, and you realise that maybe the sands of time might be running out.
And it scares you. But perhaps just before you go, just before your countdown ends, you'll live your days like you've never lived before. Perhaps.

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This small series of elderly photos has been a side project for me for about two years, and it's a joy to finally complete it after so long. As I edited each photo just prior to the release, I started to wonder:
Two years is a really long time, and perhaps some of these aged people aren't with us any more. It's a thought that really made me think about my own grandfather.

Treasure your elders, for they are treasure.

Full Flickr Gallery HERE.

Facebook album (same photos as Flickr gallery) HERE.

1.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/headshotzx/8360​368002/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/headshotzx/8359​305015/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/headshotzx/8360​366734/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/headshotzx/8359​305963/

5.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/headshotzx/8360​367256/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/headshotzx/8360​377288/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/headshotzx/8360​375588/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/headshotzx/8360​365830/

This is a really great series!! Very moving. Thank you very much for sharing!

zerovision wrote in post #15459259
This is a really great series!! Very moving. Thank you very much for sharing!

Thanks for the kind words! I appreciate it a lot

Poignant, introspective and moving man - your post in the 5D2 thread brought me here. Saw more people pass last year than I would have liked to - some elderly, having lived a wonderful full life, and some lost to us far too soon. Thanks for this.

Beautiful and sensitive. I think it takes a kind heart to take these photos and to share your thoughts with us. I looked at your flickr photos from this series and there are several more that deserve to be here, too. Thank you for sharing...

BigLobowski wrote in post #15459618
Poignant, introspective and moving man - your post in the 5D2 thread brought me here. Saw more people pass last year than I would have liked to - some elderly, having lived a wonderful full life, and some lost to us far too soon. Thanks for this.

Indeed it's always tough to suddenly lose someone we knew, which is why we should always make time for the people that make our lives! Cheers for the comment, mate!

April wrote in post #15459638
Beautiful and sensitive. I think it takes a kind heart to take these photos and to share your thoughts with us. I looked at your flickr photos from this series and there are several more that deserve to be here, too. Thank you for sharing...

I'm very much humbled by your words. I had to choose 8 out of the 21 for this thread as per POTN guidelines, but I do appreciate you taking the time to go to my Flickr!

Powerful images! Well done!

Excellent...very well done!


Keep up the good work!
p.s. they couldn't pay ME enough to be 21 again!

Very well done Zexun. Thank you for sharing. These images and your Flickr are solid work.
best, Doug

Very moving series. Love the last one. That made me smile. Everyone thinks about children and how precious they are, but some forget about the elderly. They are precious and loved, too.

CHillyDoggy wrote in post #15462749
Powerful images! Well done!

jjackflash wrote in post #15462782
Excellent...very well done!


Keep up the good work!
p.s. they couldn't pay ME enough to be 21 again!

stickman513 wrote in post #15463099
Very well done Zexun. Thank you for sharing. These images and your Flickr are solid work.
best, Doug

Cheers guys, it is indeed my greatest honour to create thought-provoking images that make people reflect upon their own lives!

SkyBaby wrote in post #15463247
Very moving series. Love the last one. That made me smile. Everyone thinks about children and how precious they are, but some forget about the elderly. They are precious and loved, too.

Indeed, we would not be where we are today with our own children without the hard work and sowing of the elderly!

And as coincidental as it is, my neighbour sent me a message last night saying that I had captured his own grandfather, seen in the thread's #5 image. Small world indeed!

All very good shots indeed, but imparticular, i am drawn to 2, 7 and 8. Excellent work.

gazmorton2000 wrote in post #15465046
All very good shots indeed, but imparticular, i am drawn to 2, 7 and 8. Excellent work.

Thank you

Zexun you have shown us series of excellent photos and in the same time shared some of your thoughts about the aging . The Aged are a little forgotten subject not only in art but in public and social life as well. We should remember that we live in the world they created and we should be grateful for that "today them, tomorrow we". Thank you for these wonderful and touching shots.