user2071 Loc: New England

The lenses are coming.

Yes, I would like to try that shot on a long exposure too ... but i'd have to haul the tripod there and I'm not sure I'm up to it. But when the leaves change, I may just give it a go ... maybe get my ever patient spouse to limp along with me and help me shlep.

evandr Loc: Tooele, Utah

My Oh My, Sounds like you need to wheel yourself down to the Old Photographer's Bone Yard - but then again maybe not, you just keep going on location and hefting that 10 or 15 lb. camera up to your face, that will keep those juices flowing!

As for days when photography is no fun - well, never been there; as long as I have strength in my finger to release a shutter I will be taking pictures, even if that means sitting in a wheel chair with my camera on a tripod, teathered to a small laptop and a 600mm lense pointing out my front room window, the neighbor's dog will be well photographed. LOL :) (wait, I'm sorry - No LOL's allowed when talking to people who like masking their talented and friendly selves behind a somewhat transparent sarcastic grumpymask LOL - OOPS, there I go again, just can't help myself LOL) I still think that is a good looking beard you are sporting :thumbup:

On a serious side I hope your challenges do not seriously get in the way of your love for photography and the evident skill you posses - you just keep shooting even if that camera has to be small enough to hide in the palm of your hand - with skill and talent that is all you need!

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

hi,
i feel your pain,{actually it's my own},i suffer from most of the same things. i am 72.if i can't drive up to it ,or get there on my electric scooter i am out of luck.in the end it's you eye,what you can handle, and the best use of your equipment.
your pictures look great.keep up the good work and don't look back.
B D-W

gessman Loc: Colorado

...and I think back to just before I started this aroung 60 and all those encouraging words like, "it'll be a real good hobby for when you get older." Me arse! It just frustrates me, knowing what I want to do and not being able to do it or if I do, not enjoy it. I know it's all attitude and that you're gonna hurt anyway but some of us aren't as even tempered as others. Guess which one I am? Maybe it's good for my circulation, to get all steamed up like some kind of brat 'cause I can't get "over there" and get that shot I want. Still, it'll be alright, eh?

evandr Loc: Tooele, Utah

Bryan Peterson loves to teach people, as well as show by example, that with the right skills and just about any camera a person can find wonderful photo opts near the edge of any road and within the confines of their own back yard; I believe him. In any case, if you need a willing pack mule then that is what kids and grandkids are for, take them out and teach them something, they will eat it up and the quality time together is priceless.

No kids or grandkids? then there are the neices and nephews, friends and their kids and so on and soforth. There is a great deal of satisfaction that comes from watching the spark and excitment in a young person's eyes as they are bitten by the shutterbug. If you have a lot of experience, (it does not take a degree), start a club with a few people and/or their children and mentor them, they will pack you and your equipment anywhere you want to go.

evandr Loc: Tooele, Utah

Yes, yes you will, I think you have just the right mix of vinager and determination. Truth be told, the view through a viewfinder is probably the last thing you will see in mortality, at least that is how I want to go.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Gesmann, would have done things different,,,, hummm,,,, from what I have been reading from all you ol folks, it proceeds by a time clock. As I was reading, I had to check the names to see that it was not me who wrote the complaint, OUCH.

And 5 dog, let me guess, the photo you show was taken after you fell, right? " hay, since I am down here take my picture." My big balance problem is d---d glasses. My brain and inner ear fight and brain says but I see this distance and suddenly the distance changes because the vision is in a different lens,,, For years I have had Trifocals, now not teaching or working in industry, I dropped back to bifocals... mistake,,, lost all that midrange. So, things are not where is see them..I need zoom glasses,, I need two screens over eyes and two intelligent cameras finding things and a gyro in a back pack... NO, not a Greek sandwich,,, one of those things that balances and maintains inertial orientation....

user2071 Loc: New England

Those are absolutely STUNNING! Wow!!

Fred Stuckmann Loc: Ohio

Being 64 and arthritic myself, I get your frustration. You've got very cool shots there and should never be made to feel inferior because you don't have this or that. Keep shooting with what you have and continue to enjoy the priceless beauties that exist.
Fred

user2071 Loc: New England

The primary reason I indulged myself and bought new equipment was the realization that if I didn't find something that would motivate me to get out and try, I'd probably fuse with my hard drive and disappear. There are days I just can't get it together, but I can still drive and fortunately for me, here in the valley, many things are just a few feet off the road ... no long treks up mountain paths ... just a few feet and voila, lake, waterfall, birds, whatever. Sometimes, it's literally right next to the road with a convenient parking lot for a few cars AND a bench. The beauties of the valley are extremely accessible. Except in winter when 9 feet of snow and ice are piled over everything ... but you have to take the bad with the good. Overall, being here is good. Remind me of that in January.

dragonfist Loc: Stafford, N.Y.

Hi gessman, I know from whence you cometh.There are mornings I get up and feel like I had gone 15 rounds with Joe Louis and was too stupid to lay down in the first round. From the photos you post I would say it is still a lot of satisfaction for you to get the camera out. Your work is beautiful and I bet when you see the finished product the pain takes a back seat. Remember the pain will still be there whether you are doing what you enjoy or if you just sit in a chair.

user2071 Loc: New England

It IS hard. On the other hand, death is easy and I have some good friends who are going down that final road and I think, however hard this one is, I'm glad I'm here and not there. I have friends with MS who can't walk, but still manage to get out and shoot or paint (whichever is their thing) ... and others with relatively minor issues that just sit around and get mouldy. So much depends on your mindset. I'm in a lot of pain a lot of the time, but I recognize that no matter what I do or don't do, I'll still be in pain, so I might as well do something. Can't make the pain stop, but I can try really really hard (with mixed results, I admit) to not let it win. Hang on in there. You are NOT alone.

evandr Loc: Tooele, Utah

I guess my day will come when pain is my frequent companion. I just hope I can harbor the same "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" attitude you guys have. I admire the both of you for that. So, from the words of my favorite photography mentor Bryan Peterson - Lets just keep shooting!!

Melissa Loc: Oklahoma

great photos! waterfall & sunflower people too. Doesn't matter what we use as long as we get the shot. Thanks for sharing.
Love that moon shot it looks so near. from the other commenter. Thanks for sharing

Melissa Loc: Oklahoma

Love the lighthouse with the sunsetting behind. Thanks for sharing