My father passed away yesterday
My father passed away yesterday.
Sad. Heartbroken. Mystified. Lost. Bewildered. These are a few of the emotions I’m feeling at the moment.
It wasn’t supposed to end like this.
Father. Friend. Mentor. Hero. He was all that and more to me. To us.
Anytime I needed something all I had to do was ask. All of my friends that knew him liked him. My father has always been popular with them. In some cases, he’s been a father figure. He was the type of person that would give you the shirt off his back, even if he didn’t have one.
Writing this, I am realizing the things he taught me. Speak softly, carry a big stick. He was always encouraging, but never forceful. I appreciated that. Many of my friends had parents that pushed them to do things, not for them, but because that’s what their parents wanted.
My father once told me he didn’t push me into things because he wanted me to be able to make my own decisions. Be your own person. Be responsible for your own actions. Be kind to others. Help someone in need, even when you don’t really want to. Not for any other reason then it’s the right thing to do. Never be afraid. Even if you are, you can overcome it. Stand up for yourself and others. I now see that the lessons this uneducated man. Holy shit. In essence, he was teaching me the ten commandments.
Not because it’s what he wanted, but because it was the right thing to do.
An ordinary man doing extraordinary things. Not because it’s what he wants, but because it’s what others need. That is the sign of a true hero. He always did what he needed to do.
There were many times growing up that he wasn’t always the father I wanted, but the father I needed. I am the person, no, a citizen of this world because if the values that William Thomas Cain III. instilled upon me. I am the man I am today because if the love and respect that we had for each other. In hind sight, I see him as the father I wanted as well as needed. Without him, I would not be who I am today.
He was always concerned about other people. Sometimes he’d act like he didn’t care, but we all knew he did. You can’t hide a kind heart.
The last thing he said to me was, “Is your mother OK?” I said yes. He said, “Good.” Even in the end, always putting others before himself.
People say as long as he in in our hearts he will never truly be gone. That’s true, but it would be really nice if he was still here.
I appreciate all of the sacrifices he ever made to make sure we had the best. Without the sacrifices that my father made for us, we would not be the people we are today. We learn from our parents the kind of people we will be in our adult life. For me, I am forever grateful that my father was my role model. If I can be just half the man of humanity that he was, I’ll truly be in great company.
Responsibility. Honor your commitments. Work hard, but also play hard. You can do whatever you want with your life. Love your wife and family and never let them go. I will miss the late night chats that I had with him at the shore.
A couple of years ago I asked him to go fishing on the bay. He said he really didn’t like to fish. I asked why we went all of those times when I was a boy. He said, “Because you wanted to go and I wanted you to be happy.”
He was the wisest I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.
One of he things I’m proudest of in my life was that i was fortunate to have him in my life and call him My Father.
If a persons wealth is measured in the people that love them, then my father was the richest man on earth.
I have always loved him and will always miss him…
Happy Fourth of July
Happy Fourth of July!
“I’ll Wash It Every Day”
In 1989, when I first purchased my mint condition 1982 Harley Davidson Sportster 1000, it was pretty kick ass bike. It featured streamlined drag pipes that would wake up the dead when you revved the engine. And the chrome on the bike shined so bright you could see it for miles. Any work that needed to be done would be done only by me. Didn’t want to take it to anyone else. I took pride in the fact that if a clutch needed changing, I could do it myself. From the day I purchased the motorcycle, it was MINT.
Every day my brother would say, “If that were my bike, I’d take care of it sooo much better. I’d wash and wax it every day.”
A few years later, I purchased my 1993 Harley Davidson Fat Boy. I didn’t want to sell the Sportster, but also knew I wasn’t going to ride it. So, I gave the Sportster to my brother fully believing that he would honor that statement. I was completely wrong.
One of the things we both learned in the motorcycle safety class was NOT TO RIDE DURING THE FIRST DROPLETS OF RAIN. The water coats the road and along with the oil on the road, creates a very dangerous window for riders. The road is very slick at that point. One should wait until about 15-20 minutes before hopping on a motorcycle. By then, the rain has washed the oil slicks away from the road.
Before he took the bike out in the rain, I said why do
n’t you wait a few minutes until the rain washes away the oil slicks. He insisted he’d be ok. No need to wait. His girlfriend was waiting. had to get there to see her. He strapped on a helmet, started the bike, and then rode of into the steady drizzle.
Twenty minutes later. He comes in the door looking like hell and freaked out. I didn’t hear the motorcycle pull up. Where’s the bike, I wonder, then ask. I dropped it on the road. Slipped from the oil slicks in the drizzling rain. “No shit!?” I exclaim. “What did I tell you!?” Luckily, he was fine. The bike on the other hand. Not so good. Broken mirror, highway p
egs, bent fender, steering bushing lost, a scratched gas tank and rear fender. It could have been worse. The woman driving behind him stopped when she saw him lose traction. If she didn’t stop it would have been more serious. But, no big deal, the bike can be fixed.
That was over 12 years ago.
The Sportster still has not been repaired. It sits in the shed, slowly rusting away. The air filter has rotted away to the point where it has gummed up the carburetor causing the engine to run poorly. The once pristine chrome speedometer now suffers fr
om reticulation. Not a pretty sight. I’ve thought about taking the bike back (he’s offered it to me numerous times), since he is now afraid to ride. Can’t blame him though, that kind of experience can freak you out and make you lose your desire to ride.
For years I thought about taking him up on the offer, but every time I look at the bike I get disgusted. I recall hearing, “If that were my bike, I’d take care of it sooo much better. I’d wash and wax it every day.”
Uh, what happened to taking care of it. Within a month that motorcycle should have been back on the road. I didn’t have the patience to deal with it. Maybe I should have.
Exvery time I saw him I’d ask, “Did you fix the bike yet?” Every time he’d say “NO!”
So the bike has sat for the past 12 years. Rusting away.
Recently, a friend purchased a new bike and asked me to ride it home for him. He doesn’t have a motorcycle license yet, and has yet to take the safety course. I said sure. I’d be glad to.
It was the mo
st fun I’ve had in years. Gave me the itch to ride again. The freedom. Wind in your face. 95 miles an hour on I-95. That is the speed limit? Too much fun, except for the bugs and pebbles from dump trucks. A blast. Relaxing. Thought provoking. Calming. Stress relieving. And many more.
So I went to my parents house and said to my brother ,”When that was my bike, I took care of it sooo much better. I washed and waxed it every day. It’s coming home!”
Anyone have a trailer?
- BC 
Lack of…..
Recently, I photographed model Sabrina West at a local park. She wanted to use some of the photographs to enter the a contest contest. I told her I don’t have a problem with her using the images for the contest, as long as my watermark remains intact. So, she uploaded the photos to the site. Problem is that when you upload the images, their system automatically crops the photo as tight as possible, removing any watermark on the edge of the frame. The site also lacks a backstop asking the model if she has a photo release from the copyright holder allowing her to use the images for the contest. In this case the model has permission, with conditions, and I would have provided a release if asked and my conditions were met.
A few weeks ago, I clicked on the link to the models profile on the site, expecting to see my watermarked images. What I saw was my super cropped images, sans watermark. Immediately, I emailed the model. She informed me she had done what I asked, but a marketing company cropped the photos.
OK, shouldn’t be a problem. In the past when this kind of thing happened with a marketing company, I’d emailed the company’s CEO and he has swapped out the unwatermarked images for the correct watermarked versions. So, I didn’t believe it would be a problem. Via email, I asked the CEO to have the images swapped out. He emailed back that it wouldn’t be a problem and said to coordinate with someone that works with him. Simple matter. You’d think.
(see below for the frame grabs)
I then sent the two images to the person I was told would handle it. Waited for acknowledgement that the images were received, but nothing. I emailed the contact a day or so later to follow up as to whether the pix had been received. At this point I’m starting to get a bit miffed. Still no response.
Since I had received no response or acknowledgement that the images were received, my next step was the beer company. I explained to them in an email message:
The marketing company and national beer company do not have a photo release from me to use these images on the site, thus infringing upon my rights. I have contacted a marketing company in order to resolve the issue. I notified them I would allow the use of the images if they post my watermarked un-cropped versions. After initially agreeing, they have not responded.
(this is what I had sent to replace the images)
Two days later I receive a terse phone message from the company’s CEO. In the voicemail he states that national beer company’s Corporate legal department contacted him about my images. His reaction is that while national beer company would like him to replace the images, like I have asked, he’s prefer to delete the model’s profile on the site all together. Oh, and he will also let her know that she’s being deleted because of me. Was that supposed to scare me? He also went on to say “I expect a return phone call today.”
One for promptness, I call him within 5 minutes.
He starts whining to me that he has all of these emails from corporate asking him to replace the images I have asked and that I’ve caused him allot of grief. He then asked if I contacted national beer company corporate legal department about them infringing upon my copyrighted work. Proudly, I say “Yes. I did!”
He goes on to tell me that hurts his business. Really? And my business isn’t hurt by people using my images without any kind of compensation? I explain I wouldn’t have had to do that if his people had just done what was asked or responded when I followed up. The person he put me in touch with never responded. He said, “That’s because she’s in Florida.” And…I’m supposed to know that how? From her non-response? I’m a photographer, not a mind reader. And quite frankly, that’s not my problem.
I told him I really don’t care if they delete the profile. But, all I asked is that they swap out the images for my watermarked version. He agrees to do that. Tells me to send him the images. I did, and that’s where we stand now. That was Friday. Again, I’ve emailed a follow up and no response.
This is a clear violation of copyright law.
I’m leaning towards going back through the corporate legal department again.
First of all, there are a few problems with their site and terms. They do not ask if the model had a signed photo release from the photographer, the copyright owner, or seek permission from the photographer to post his/her copyrighted work. The site automatically crops models images, thus removing watermarks from the imagery. Thus if you agree to let a model post the pix,a marketing company crops anyway they see fit.
What in the world are these people thinking? Am I supposed to think it’s cool that they have my imagery in their contest? Frankly, who gives a damn!? My work has appeared all over the world. Hell, I’ve even had a Newsweek cover. The beer company pays the marketing company, and they claim to make no money off the contest. Why are they in business?
What do the photographers, whose images are used without permission get? Absolutely nothing!! Not even attribution for their hard work making these models look good. And, let’s be honest here. I hate to say this, but some of the “models”ONLY look good because of the photographer’s team that makes them look good.
For each infringement I could seek up to $150,000 in copyright infringement damages against a marketing company and beer company. All I asked for was attribution.
The vibe I got was that this dude was trying to make me feel guilty for protecting my rights as an artist.
That doesn’t work on me.
I know my rights, and I’ll be damned if I let them use my imagery without attribution or compensation.
- BC
Updated: The issue has been resolved. I had them remove the images because they couldn’t make it so my watermark was visible. Wonder how many other photographers are getting screwed by these people.
“Tiger” Tom
My uncle passed away yesterday. The picture above was the last photo I ever made of him. He made me… no, dared me to make the picture.
I had stopped by to visit him while he was in the hospital battling cancer. Considering he was in the fight of his life, he seemed in great spirits. I walked into his hospital room and had brought along my gear, since i was driving my Jeep that day, and didn’t have a top. I couldn’t leave my cameras in the car, so I brought them into the hospital. He was impressed and said “Cool. Now take my picture!” I told him he was crazy. He said, “I dare you to take my picture! Uhhhh… OK.
Here’s a guy with lying in a hospital bed with stage 4 cancer, and he wants his picture taken. I put my camera up to my eye. My uncle sits up in his hospital bed, puts on a grin from here to Texas, and starts posing. Making muscles. Just hamming it up. I could hardly focus because we started laughing hysterically. For the whole 7 frames I was able to capture, we chuckled through all and then some. When we stopped laughing, he deadpanned, “I’m sick, but still look good.” We laughed some more. Didn’t matter how bad it looked. He still had a great disposition and a strong will to live.
I’m happy I brought my cameras into the hospital that day. I will cherish that moment. It was the last time I saw him.
When I was a young boy, my uncle was always around our house. He helped my parents renovate the house when we moved to the suburbs.
I saw him allot back then.
One time my uncle caught me playing with matches. He yelled at me for about twenty minutes, “Don’t ever let me see you do that again!” I thought he was nuts. What could happen? Well…he showed me. When he was a boy, he played with matches. He was burned over 60% of his body. The scars were horrific, but he wasn’t afraid to show anyone if it taught them a lesson.
I never played with matches again.
Over the years I asked about the accident. I imagined it must have been rough. He said it was excruciatingly painful when it happened. He figured if he could live through that, he could survive anything.
He was the most selfless person I have ever known. Every time I ever saw or spoke with him, he always asked about me, my wife, how we are, and how was everyone else. When I’d tell him all was good, his response was always, “I’m glad. You’re a good kid.” He would have given the shirt off his back to help someone. He never asked for anything in return.
He was fearless.
He was a fighter.
He taught me to never, ever give up, no matter what the circumstances.
I will always remember that.
He was my uncle.
He was my friend.
I loved him.
I will miss him.
He was “Tiger” Tom.
One of my first portrait pix.
Over the weekend I was looking through some old prints trying to find early work to show my advanced photo class. Lucky for me, I found this image that was probably one of the first portraits I’ve ever made. It’s of my cousin’s son on Thanksgiving sometime in the mid-80′s. If I recall correctly, we were all watching football, and Ricky was still at the table finishing his dinner. Made a few frames and captured a nice moment. 
My Good Deed for the Day
Today is my 14th wedding anniversary. I had the afternoon off and decided that I’d make a nice dinner for my wife. Took the Jeep because it’s too beautiful out not to. Picked up all of the ingredients for a salmon dinner. Paid, then loaded up the car and started out of the lot.
While coming out of Wegman’s parking lot I saw a thin man wearing a white tank top, dark shorts, and dark sunglasses running as fast as he could holding a backpack and a dufflebag. Another heavy set man in a blue shirt and jeans chased after as he tried to make a phone call. I assume he was calling the police. Wegman’s employees watched in the background. By this time the running man with the back pack was halfway across the parking lot headed towards the woods. I knew something was up, I just didn’t know what. So, I figured I’d follow the guy. I started to do that, and realized in my piece of crap Jeep there was no way I could follow him far. I decided that I’d head out to Street Rd. and wait for him to come out of the woods onto the highway. That would be an easier way to track him.
I pulled over on the side of the highway about 100 yards away from where I assumed the running man would come out of the woods. Funny thing is, he didn’t come out. After waiting a few minutes. Still not realizing why the man was running, I decide to backtrack through the side streets behind the Wegman’s shopping center. I’m thinking if I see the man, I can use my Nikon Coolpix (the only camera, besides the iPhone I had on me) to make a frame or two of the running man and hand it over to the Police if the guy got away. Making my way slowly on Neshaminy Street, I saw the man hiding behind a bush. He had run at least 400 yards at this point at what looked like top speed. I imagine at this point he was exhausted.
I picked up my Nikon Coolpix (note to Nikon: this camera sucks when you need to make a picture quickly) and it hesitated. Now I’m past the man. I know he saw me, but didn’t see the camera. Picture opportunity gone.
I drive a block away, thinking I’ll hang and keep an eye out in case the man splits. Now I’m hearing sirens. Very Loud Sirens. I call 911. Dispatcher asks what county I’m located. I recall thinking “what the hell do you mean what county?” Apparently, the cell tower I hooked was in Montgomery County and she couldn’t tell where I was calling from. I tell her Bucks County. She puts me through. As I’m waiting for Warrington Police, I see an officer driving towards my car. I flag him down, tell the dispatcher I’ve got an officer on scene. The officer pulls up and asks if I’ve seen a running man in a white wife beater and dark shorts. I say yes. He’s hiding in the bushes on the right about 75 yards towards the main road.
The officer backs up his patrol car, turns around and heads in the direction I’ve directed. He stops about 50 yards down the road, not 75. He didn’t go far enough. Shit! I followed the patrol car and pass him as he’s searching the area. Think they’ll catch him.
I stop at the traffic light at Neshaminy and Street Roads. Here I am thinking the guy is back in the woods and the officers, who by now have the woods covered on both sides, would flush him out. Then, in my rear view mirror, I see the patrol car 25 yards behind me. In between the running man is speeding towards my direction. He’s trying to make the light before it turns red, and he is stuck on our side of the highway. I’m not armed. I don’t know if the running man is armed. The police are in the woods, out of my visual range. I had to get the Police officers attention somehow. Make some noise quick. They won’t hear my yell. Think fast! He’s almost at the highway. He’s going to get away!! I started honking my horn as long and as hard as I could to get the attention of the Police and bring them out of the woods back into my visual range. I’m doing this and hoping that they’ll get my message. HE’S HERE!! COME QUICK!!
HE’S GETTING AWAY!! All of that from a stupid honking horn.
It worked. In my rear view mirror, I see the officer running to his car and jumping in with lights flashing.
Only problem is. The running man by now is across the street. I can assume at this point that he was unarmed. If he was, I’d have been car jacked, and he’d be long gone. Although, maybe he has better taste in cars and didn’t want to jack a piece of crap Jeep. Now the traffic light is red. I’ve lost sight of him. Screw it! I’m not going to let him out of sight! Stupidly, I didn’t want to run a red light. I decide I’ll turn right (west) and then left (east) to get back onto the highway, then make a quick right to get back onto the road the running man had crossed over to. NOT A GOOD IDEA! I’ve never heard so many screeching tires. Or for that matter, that many people yelling…YOU ASSHOLE!! Although, some of my students might agree. The running man is kind of jogging now. He’s on the left side of the road, and I’m on the right trailing. A man in a truck slows down across from the running man. Points at him. And the running man stops. Police are pulling up on scene. Get out of their patrol cars and draw their weapons upon the stopped man. Tell him hands up, get on the ground. He does just that. They got him.
I pulled over to chat with the police and ask if they need me for anything since I witnessed the running man coming out of Wegman’s. Yes. I handed him my card then proceeded to leave. He stopped me for a second and said, “Was that you beeping the horn.” I said yes. It was me. He said “Thanks.”
Hopefully, my wife appreciates this story. Through all of this, my salmon spoiled while sitting in the sun in back of my Jeep. – WTC
What are you doing in my class?
I just received my reviews for last semesters advanced photo class. They were pretty good, but I don’t get one student’s comment.
The student wished I would have focused more on how to use the actual camera then giving assignments to make pictures. Excuse me? The class was “Advanced Photography.” At that point you should know how to use your camera. If not, how’d you get into my damned class anyway?
Summer classes started last evening. So, at the start of class I gave my “advanced photo” students a basic photo knowledge quiz. Most of them (9), except two, got all answers correct. I think I’ll do that at the start of every advanced class, or maybe for all classes. It was a good way to gauge their photo knowledge.
I also gave the students their first assignment to photograph whatever they would like. They’ll have to turn in three edited images, and all or the images shot for the assignment. This will give me an idea about their eye, editing skills, and I’ll see how their minds work while making pictures.
Since they answered most of the questions correctly makes me believe I have allot to look forward to with this group.
Icicles at the Post Office
http://ping.fm/p/J5rQ0 – Mobile photo
Icicles That Almost Hit Me.
http://ping.fm/p/cP57G – I was almost hit by some icicles from the batch next to this one at the post office.
