Thread by @TheRealHoarse

So, I met a man today who was taking pictures at a botanical garden next to where I parked to take a phone call.

In his late 60s, retired. Photographer as a hobby. Knows what he’s doing though. That was obvious from his gear.

So we started talking photography.

1/

Over the years, he has entered his pictures in local competitions. Swept 1st, 2nd and 3rd in one. Won an array of other awards.

And he isn’t online. At all. Doesn’t trust the internet with his info.

So, he takes amazing pictures and just... prints them.

2/

Two years ago, his girlfriend passed away. He sort of lost his way a little and is just starting to get back out into the world.

His eyesight is faltering. He has diabetes. Getting around is getting harder.

3/

And back in his apartment, he has framed pictures piling up. Crowding the space to a degree where it’s too much.

So, he boxed up some pictures and just... took them to the Salvation Army.

4/

I practically implored him to put some online but he clearly wasn’t having it.

So, I gave him my number and said “Listen, here is all you need to do: pick 5-10 pictures you like. Put them on a disk or a thumb drive (both of which he is savvy with). I will come get them...”

5/

“...and I’ll put them online for sale. Whatever you make is yours. I don’t want your money. Your pictures are art. You’ve done the hard part. Let me do the easy part: help you put them in front of people.”

6/

I hope he calls. I fear he won’t. 50-50 chance at best.

The man has a curated collection of award-winning photographs and they exist nowhere but stacked up on his apartment floor. That’s somewhere between a tragedy and a sin.

7/

If he calls, I’m going to put up a gallery of the first pics he shares.

The man is filling SD cards with pictures taken with his Canon R6 while shedding cable to cut bills.

What a shame it would be to have art die on SD cards full of images no one saw.

Stay tuned.

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