By Scott Shephard
Irene Bernice, Mary Deb, Glenyce Jane & Zoey
If you are a Boomer, I’m guessing you’ll know the inspiration for my post’s title. And, if you are a portrait photographer of any generation, you will understand another meaning — family photography is difficult.
In this case I had 1/100 of a second to try to get this photo right. Add a young cat who would rather be chasing her friend Zeke or a wadded up piece of paper across the floor, and the degree of difficulty increases significantly. There’s a reason I enjoy landscape photography of the kind posted a month ago: I don’t get any pushback and generally the subject doesn’t try to squirm out of the frame.
As for the title, I have no intent to attach heavy existential meaning to this simple portrait. We are much more than “dust in the wind.”
I will say, however, that this photo does say someting about time. Glennyce Jane, on the right, is 12 years old now. Almost a teenager! And I’m 2 years into my 70s. Time passes. But that’s a good thing, I guess. I am confident that I’ll have many more years to have a chance to get 1 good photo of this small group.
But don’t contact me to ask if I will take your family’s (or your pet’s) photo. The answer will likely be “No!”
Canon R5 1/100 sec f/8.0 ISO 125