Project in memory of my husband

[terrib]

As some of you know, I lost my husband to cancer last November. His two adult children are very sentimental about items that were special to him but of course things can only belong to one at a time. Thankfully, we have had no drama or arguments as some families do. But I had the idea recently to put together a collection of related things, photograph them and create a framed gallery or collage of the images to give to each of them. For example, he was a lifelong, avid motorcycle rider so I could gather up his helmet, leather jacket, gloves, etc and photograph them along with his motorcycle. Or, there are a myriad of images I could take in his shop where he did both woodworking and mechanic work. Or items from his days as a cop...

This is not my usual type of photography. My photos tend toward the documentary. I don't consider myself to be very creative in presentation. I don't want to just lay the stuff on top of his motorcycle and snap a photo. I want to create a collection that includes creative closeups and conveys the special nature of each item. My intended audience will be easily moved, however badly I put it together, but I'd like to strive toward creating a work that would at least be interesting to others who might view it.

The idea is too new and too wide open to ask for much input now, but what I would like to ask is if you can suggest photographers that do this type of collection, storytelling type work so that I can look at their work and get ideas of how to see the possibilities. I hope what I'm asking makes sense. Or if any of you have done something similar, I'd love to see.

Of course, once I actually start making some photographs, I'll be looking for critiques and more specific ideas for improving what I come up with. Thank you all for any and all ideas. And keep me in mind if you run across anything later as I'll probably be working on this project over many months.

[nimitzbenedicto]

Hi Terri,

Sorry to hear about that.

In a way, nice to know we had something in common with your husband. i.e. Motorcycles .

Hope to help , if any........

[Gigi71]

Hi Terri, sorry to hear that. I don't think I can help you much at that (if a great idea suddenly pops up, I will tell you), I don't know special photographers for that kind of photography, but I am sure here on CiC are many who can and will help and support you.
Well, I just wanted to tell you how lovely your idea sounds to me, you give a lot of thoughts to that and consider how to make it the best way. You must have loved him a lot, cared a lot to esteem him that way. Though it's sad of course, you might have had a great love and strong and fondly bonds between you both, and you appreciate that (as much as I can see that).

Gigi

[Mike Buckley]

Such a fabulous project on so many levels! I can't wait to see each and every photo.

If you Google "famous still life photographers" you'll get lots of ideas demonstrating the two fundamental aspects of your project -- composing the scene and lighting it. As for lighting it, I can't recommend strongly enough that you purchase the fourth edition of Light: Science and Magic. I can already tell by the variety of subjects that you intend to photograph, each with their own challenges, that the book will be extremely helpful.

[NorthernFocus]

Terri, what a wonderful idea. As you say I'm sure your target audience will be moved by whatever you come up with. Mike's suggestion is probably the quickest, most productive route. Regarding the shop specifically, if you have any type of historic buildings nearby that have been turned into museums with period pieces arranged into displays, you might visit and check them out for ideas. I'm sure the whole project will be a very emotional journey for you. Good luck with it.

[deetheturk]

What a fantastic idea Terri,i am sure whatever you decide to base it on you will make the family proud

Mike's suggestion seem's like the way to get started,and Dan's museum idea is also great, good luck and god bless.

David

[terrib]

Thank you, Mike and Dan for your suggestions. Mike, book is downloaded now. I've been meaning to get it anyway so this was a good excuse. Dan, the museums are an idea I would not have thought of and does seem like it could lead to some ideas.

Thank you to the rest of you too for your kind words and encouragement. It will be a difficult task. Just putting it into words and looking around for a few things gave me pause but once I start in earnest, it will also give me something to concentrate on and a purposeful goal. I believe it will be a good thing.

[ST1]

Terri I can't really help wrt suggesting photographers for you but... I wish you well with your project, it seems to be a really worthwhile project with benefits to both you your family. Good luck I look forward to seeing the images you make for the project.

[Brownbear]

Hi Terri,

I too, think this is a wonderful idea, and truly special. What a lovely way to share and treasure memories of loved ones with loved ones.

I'm not familiar with story telling photographers or projects but one idea that comes to mind would be to have one photo of your husband doing what he loved best (alone, or with friends or family) as part of a collage or mini post card book... ie An image of him driving his motorcycle combined with your images of his helmet, jacket and such... Working in the woodworking shop with images of these tools, etc..

All my best to you and your family.

[IzzieK]

Terri...for a start, sorry about your loss. Your photographing what he left of his passion for motorcycles, his workshop and all that comes with it is a brilliant idea. As for suggestion, after you have been satisfied that you have a complete collection of photos, you can collect all them together and do a slide show, privately (for your and his family) or put it in YouTube for all, even his friends to see...I am sure all those that see that will also remember him by all or some of the things that you put together in the photos.

Also a cost-saving exercise instead just in case some rellies (relatives) will want a copy of this and that. A slide show will be more cost effective and you still have the original files. My neighbour across the road from me, took shots of things she wanted her family to see each year and have it bounded in a book form. When someone asks for a copy, she just go to the same bookbinder and ask to make her another copy. She was thrilled when someone ask for a copy of her collection until the cost became prohibitive. So me and my big mouth suggested to her to just do a slide show and put it on YouTube. Unfortunately she is not really that computer savvy, I ended up doing it for her.

Just a thought...

[terrib]

Thanks Christina and Isabel for your ideas. We did do a slideshow of his life for the memorial service and I was particular about including pictures of him doing the things he loved so those types of shots are available to all of them. Luckily I am dealing with a small family.

[Kaye Leggett]

Terri, what a wonderful idea and I am sure will help you in your healing process too. I can't recommend any photographers as I don't know any but I would add a couple of suggestions.. Employ some humour into the shots if possible and also don't 'clean up' the gear you photograph too much, photograph it in the 'state' your lovely husband left it.

[Teton Chuck]

Terri, what a thoughtful thing to do. I hope it pays dividends at many levels.

Chuck

[Letrow]

Terri, sorry for your loss. I think your idea is lovely, but it will be difficult in the beginning. I am looking forward to your photos.
I agree with Mike that lighting will be a thing to study and explore. Some of the nicer still life photos are very restrained and beautifully lighted, almost like paintings by some of the old masters.
Which brings me to composition. That will be something to look into as well. All in all, this sounds like a great project to dig into. Good luck.

[Mike Buckley]

Terri,

When I photograph products, a lot of people mention that I should have used a perfect this or that rather than the imperfect subjects I have used. I like to shoot products as we normally encounter them, not as hand-picked to perfection because they are being used in a photo. I've never felt that I have explained my thinking about that very well.

Yesterday, when revisiting a favorite how-to book, I thought of your project when I was reminded of the following excellent thinking related to that: "The primary difference between photographing products for art and for commercial purpose is in the lighting. When we photograph a still life to hang on a wall, we are lighting to show our own emotional interpretation of the subject. When we photograph a product to be used for commercial purposes, it must be lit to objectively convey all the attributes of the subject so the viewer can make an informed decision about the product and its features." Just in case it's not obvious enough in the latter case, I would clarify that the viewer is deciding whether to buy or rent the product.

[John 2]

That's a nice idea Terri and I suspect it's not just the children that will benefit from it. I had a similar request from a friend last year but in much happier circumstances. Her granddaughter who lives in South Carolina, had just graduated and she wanted something to hang on the wall to mark the occasion. I did no more than photograph the graduation certificate and then superimpose an informal portrait onto it at reduced opacity. The effect was the certificate with her grand daughter visible apparently in the BG. It served to link the two. I'm reluctant to post it because it is personal to someone else but you could do something similar. Show us what you come up with.

[terrib]

Thanks everyone for you thought and suggestions, some of which had occurred to me and some that had not. I definitely want to keep the character of the pieces that I choose - to find something about it that makes it special to him or to the activity. I've started reading the lighting book but probably won't really get going on the project until summer. I will definitely be posting progress for input.

John, that is a great idea about the overlay. I may very well incorporate that into some part of this.