The importance of photography is sometimes forgotten and sometimes lost until you have a loss or a specific need. Yesterday, We (as in the whole family) experienced a tough loss. Our sweet Scarlett Dog of 13 years passed away from Brain Cancer. We miss her but feel comforted that she did not suffer. We knew as much as 5 months ago that the end was probably closer than not when she had her first seizure. While lots of questions come to mind -the one I want to reflect on is how a photographer and the passing of my “Scarlett Begonias” relates.
Sometimes, as image makers, we forget that part of what we do is to record life around us. It is those moments captured that make history, make memories, and remind us of what was. As I look back through nearly 100 Gigabytes of family photographs, I am reminded of all the neat adventures that we have been on. Going through and pulling random pictures of Scarlett through the years allowed me to “walk down memory lane” and to see the impact that she had on our family. We got her when she was just a baby, too early to be away from her mom – a rescue dog. She was a terrible puppy that grew into a loyal and loving family member. Without those pictures, I would have simply forgotten all the crazy things that happened along the way. Without pictures, we get caught up in “living” and the hum drum of getting shit done, and we forget to really see. As a photographer, our job is to really “see” whether it is a widget that needs perfect lighting or a your child’s 12th birthday that creates a special moment or a four legged friend that added just the right spices to the family pot. At the end of the day, our job as image makers comes with deep responsibility to not only record what was, but to influence what is to be….Thanks for a great ride Scarlett B – you are missed.
Scarlett was a tough puppy from the start, she went from her mother, to the street, to the pound, to a neighbor and then almost back to the pound, except we took her instead.
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Getting to know a new puppy and teaching her the ropes!
All the kids together…
This was one of those moments as a parent when you aren’t sure if laughing out loud is ok because your son is eating dog food or stopping your child from eating dog food because well – its dog food!
I did both, but not without capturing the moment to share….By the way, Scarlett did share very nicely, I was amazed that she knew fingers were part of family and thus not for eating!
Sharing seems to go both ways in her mind, if we are going to eat Thanksgiving at the table – so is she…
As an older, more “mature” dog, Scarlett was careful to listen for the door, growl when her tail was pulled (or when she just felt like it) and play tug of war like a champ!
A few interesting facts:
1. She weighed in at only 36lbs
2. Her name originates from a Grateful Dead song “Scarlett Begonias” which was commonly played with “Fire on the Mountain”
3. Depending on who you ask, her name really originates from Scarlet O’Hara in Gone with the Wind
4. Scarlett’s beverage of choice was Sierra Nevada Beer, specifically the green bottle, not the seasonals
5. Her Border Collie genes kicked in as a puppy when she would round up the neighbor kids like sheep
6. She was affraid of nothing unless it involved fireworks or thunderstorms, in which case either would make her run for cover
7. Scarlett loved the water as long as she could see and touch the bottom–she swam only once in the pool
I can’t say that I am sorry to see this winter weather blow on by, but as the first day of Spring approaches – I am ready. Before we leave Winter, I have a few photos from our cold days gone by that will help you look forward to the next one! Each season brings different light, different tones, different contrast and thus a new look each time at Mother Nature!
Winter Sunset
Just before leaving for our re-scheduled backpacking trip this past weekend back to Pine Mountain, we had tons of rain and yes one of those moments that we seldom see — A rainbow! If you look carefully, there is almost a second rainbow forming, but couldn’t quite make it to the show!
Rainbow after Rain
When I go backpacking, I am not a speedy hiker (I’m not slow either), but I do like to take time to see and feel the surroundings. I always enjoy hiking next to water, not only because the sounds are awesome, but I am also fascinated by water and the patterns that get created and erased constantly. Check out my website http://www.fineimaging.com in my Personal Projects section for some ocean based images and patterns left in the sand. The images below were along the trail in Pine Mountain, Georgia.
Waterscape2 Marshall and David taking a break from the trail for lunch
Of Course the BEST FOR LAST! Out on the trail, my son Marshall got to celebrate his 12th Birthday! There is nothing better than a nip to the air, a crackling campfire and a good nights sleep under the stars!
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