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Digital Surprise ! |
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Digital Surprise !
There was a time that if you carried a camera with you at all times you
would be considered a serious photographer. That way you never missed
the shot. Well I am not sure I would label myself a serious
photographer, not any more that is, but I like having fun taking
photographs and one thing I am serious about is producing excellent
images
The camera bag that gave me the list to port didn’t just have one
camera in it, but two, one for Black & White and the other for
colour, a whole range of lenses and enough film to see me through any
photo opportunity that presents itself. I am not certain if I ever did
get ‘the shot’ but I certainly added to the profits of several camera
and film manufacturers.
Then a few years ago digital was making headway, but was digital
really for the serious photographer. Serious photographer or not having
a camera with you all the time is not a bad idea so about two years ago
I bought a little Minolta Dimage Xt. Surprise, surprise! I was able to
have a camera on me at all times and one that took B&W and colour
at the flick of a dial. A little thing I can easily slip into my shirt
pocket and no one would ever know I have a camera. No joke, here was
something that was no bigger than a pack of playing cards and I was
able to take up to hundred images on one memory card. The camera I have
has a maximum 3.2 megapixel; where as the current models will give you
5 plus megapixels. Progress!
The city of Paris was my home for over ten years and I would often
wander about with my cameras in search those appealing Parisian scenes.
With my little digital in my pocket I was now assured that if that
million dollar shot came my way I would be ready.
At the beginning of June 2004 I was walking up the Avenue George V
heading towards the Champs Elysees and I could see there was something
going on outside the plush Four Season Hotel. All the staff were
outside waiting for someone. American flags were draped from the
balconies and there were two WWII American vehicles flanking the
smartly turned out hotel staff. There was an air of excitement as TV
camera crews and photographers made ready for whoever was about to make
an appearance.
 Paris Hotel Staff
After few enquiries and I knew I was about to witness an extraordinary
event. Paris was welcoming the surviving veterans of the D-Day landings
that took place on the Normandy beaches in the early hours of 6th of
June 1944, sixty years before. All over the city the top Parisian hotels
were welcoming these men of all nationalities as their guests for the
events of the 60th anniversary of the landings.
 Welcome back to France
As the bus pulled up and these men, now well into there eighties,
started to emerge the hotel staff began applauding. The applause did
not stop until the last of these veterans were escorted into the hotel
more than 40 minutes later.
 Stepping down from the coach
The press scrum was dignified, and caught up in the general well being
of the occasion, very well behaved. There I was with my little digital,
arms extended and slightly bent at the elbows, in that new position of
capturing images. There was a momentary thought that flashed through my
mind that I must look a bit silly, but I’m sure nobody was taking the
slightest notice of me. I have never before been part of such an
outpouring of goodwill that was evident in such abundance as these men
slowly stepped from their coach and made their way into the hotel, and
all the time I am snapping away with my little digital.
 Press Scrum
I took 52 shots and most of those images were very usable. The camera
excelled itself and produced images, that to be honest, surprised me. I
did not use the images for anything other than putting them online on
my website and contacting the Hotel and veteran associations in the USA
to say they were available to view. I received a very courteous and
appreciative email from the Director of the Four Season hotel.
 World War Two Veteran
I have visited the Normandy beaches where these men landed and
survived. I have visited many of the cemeteries in France of both World
Wars including the cemetery at Collville-sur-Mer where the dead of
‘Omaha Beach’ lie and I find it heart wrenching.
These veterans had tears in their eyes, a moment I will not easily
forget, but I don’t think they were tears of sorrow, but tears of joy
at such a fine welcome sixty years on.
 Veteran Posing next to a WWII vehicle
As for me it was a surprise. A digital surprise!
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