2020 Retrospective |
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Roger Rex ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 30 September 2005 Country: United States Location: North Florida Status: Offline Posts: 7549 |
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I am participating in an online photo workshop with Hessler Creative. The first assignment was to take four images " ... that represent how you felt and or what you learned during 2020." Here are the four images in chronological order; a narrative required because on their face a viewer would probably not be able to connect them in a series.
Note to mods: If after reviewing this post, you believe that I have crossed the line with the commentary, especially #3, I understand. Feel free to delete the entire post or just #3. 1 - The near panic that seemed to grip many folks, my family included (but "panic" is too strong a word) in the very early days of the pandemic as supplies of paper towels and toilet paper vanished from store shelves. ![]() 2 - A recurring dream I have had, very disruptive and causing me to awake, again in a near panic, is of my wife dying from COVID-19 in an intensive care unit and my not being allowed to be with her. ![]() 3 - (Note: if you do not wear a mask when in public places, I suggest you not read what follows). In my life (I am 74) I can only recall one other time where I felt sustained anger for several weeks. In 2020 for several weeks, every time I would hear "it's inconvenient" or "it's my right not to wear a mask" I would literally seize up with anger. What is "inconvenient" to me is dying in a ditch in Vietnam like my friend. And, as an American, you have that "right" because of folks who have died to give it to you who no longer have any rights. They bore the responsibility for such rights that you have and for which you are refusing to bear any responsibility - with rights come responsibilities. ![]() 4 - My anger was unhealthy and doing absolutely no good. The anger is not felt by the anti-mask folks. And, my hatred was in direct contrast with something I firmly believe in: "Hatred corrodes the container it is carried in." That sentence has appeared below my posts (see below) for years. I was being a hypocrite. I now believe that we all come to decisions like wearing a mask or not from diverse life experiences, values, stations in life, etc. and that I need to accept this with grace. I have. ![]() Edited by Roger Rex - 13 January 2021 at 22:23 |
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Hatred corrodes the container it is carried in. http://rogerrex.zenfolio.com/
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Jozioau ![]() Alpha Eyes group ![]() Joined: 13 May 2007 Country: Australia Location: Melbourne Status: Online Posts: 6815 |
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Roger,
Thanks for posting this creative photo essay. Thanks for sharing your deeply held feelings. Your images convey the themes and thoughts very powerfully, and are well created, selected and assembled. We are living through very tough times, and hopefully will see them through with the help of good leadership, good guidance and good social responsibility. |
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"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst" - Henri Cartier-Bresson
My FlickrPro site |
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dCap ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 11 August 2005 Country: United Kingdom Status: Offline Posts: 6124 |
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Thank you for making this set of images, and the commentary, and for sharing it with us.
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Walk out if it doesn't feel right
I can tell you're only lying If you've got something better tonight Then don't mess up my mind with your crying Just Walk Out In The Rain Eric Clapton, 1978 |
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pegelli ![]() Admin Group ![]() Dyxum Administrator Joined: 02 June 2007 Country: Belgium Location: Schilde Status: Offline Posts: 31030 |
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A very poignant set Roger, especially the second, but as a set together with your descriptions it's even stronger.
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Feel foolish, no problem, sign up for April Foolishness here
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LAbernethy ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 25 November 2015 Country: Canada Location: Ajax, Ontario Status: Offline Posts: 2180 |
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Interesting set and well photographed. I disagree with #3 but like the image. Surely there are more poignant issues to invoke debilitating rage beyond a piece of fabric. I have looked on the mask thing as akin to condoms in an age of AIDS, you don't want to wear one, good luck with that.
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skm.sa100 ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 08 January 2009 Country: United States Location: Charlotte, NC Status: Offline Posts: 3924 |
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That's a thoughtful set of images from you.
#2 is absolutely striking. Your explanation makes it all the more stark and powerful. I do notice your signature and do like it. The corroded container image does justice to your belief. I would not call you a hypocrite, however. On the contrary, your noble belief and your attempt to follow it is inspiring and admirable. Your humble admission at not being able to quite live up to your belief isn't hypocrisy. We all have goals that we might not be able to reach as much as we aspire to. That's just human nature itself. I try to live a good life as well but am not as successful as I'd like to be. Regards Sashi |
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More Dyxumer, less photographer.
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Dena ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 02 November 2015 Country: United States Location: Arkansas Status: Offline Posts: 827 |
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Thanks for sharing, powerful stuff. I've felt that rage at anti-maskers from time to time. Half the citizenry here doesn't even seem to believe there's a pandemic. Trying to protect my parents, 83 and 74, has been scary at times.
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MichelvA ![]() Alpha Eyes group ![]() Knowledge Base Contributor Joined: 26 April 2008 Country: Netherlands Status: Offline Posts: 18249 |
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This post really moves emotions. Great work. Especially #2 is very strong
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Respect. Observe. Capture. Enjoy.
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Roger Rex ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 30 September 2005 Country: United States Location: North Florida Status: Offline Posts: 7549 |
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Thanks all for the kind comments. Like so many other variables in life, how COVID-19 affects each individual is, well, individual.
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Hatred corrodes the container it is carried in. http://rogerrex.zenfolio.com/
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Fred_S ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 12 January 2017 Country: Netherlands Location: Noord Holland Status: Offline Posts: 9331 |
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Somehow I missed this set. Fortunately I found it now. As others said, it's a strong set and the comments make it even stronger. It's showing covud from different perspectives.
I understand the anger, but the words about the container are wise words. Thanks for sharing these pics and your thoughts Roger. Stay safe! |
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Almazar80 ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 16 May 2008 Country: United States Location: United States Status: Offline Posts: 2795 |
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The images and commentary hit home. Not only do they capture the times, they capture the apprehension that all of us feel. It is unfortunate that people avoid doing simple things to try to safeguard everyone - though we are all entitled to have our own beliefs and opinions, I do think that as human beings we also need to look at the needs of humanity as a whole. I know some people feel strongly about certain things, but I think that in times like this, a simple act of consideration from everyone can go a long way.
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Roger Rex ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 30 September 2005 Country: United States Location: North Florida Status: Offline Posts: 7549 |
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Fred_S and Almazar80 - Thanks for commenting. For me, a quite different way to tell a story using photographs and words.
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Hatred corrodes the container it is carried in. http://rogerrex.zenfolio.com/
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Petrochemist ![]() Groupie ![]() Joined: 21 December 2020 Country: United Kingdom Location: Essex Status: Offline Posts: 43 |
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There is a very significant difference. Wearing a mask protects others you pass by casually from getting Covid from you. Condoms only protect those who have very much more intimate contact. Choosing not to wear a mask is choosing to put those around you at risk. |
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angora ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 02 March 2014 Country: Netherlands Status: Offline Posts: 4127 |
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as said ...a poignant set. and a wonderful narrative, very impressive!
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