Giving.

C

Carolina Photo Guy

Senior Member
Hi everybody.

It seems that I am in another preaching mood. You can escape, but you have to go away NOW! If you stay, be prepared to have a small portion of your life changed irrevocably!

Think I'm kidding? Read on.

Most everyone here know that I am a home-bound boring old SOB that takes a lot of flower pictures. I don't drive due to health reasons and I am just now getting my diabetes

under control enough to be able to use walking as my main form of exercise. But I ain't getting too far from home. I just ain't that confident yet.

I know that the years ahead of me are far fewer than those behind me. I also want to show my appreciation to the main man for letting me live as long as He has. But what can I do?

Construction is no longer in my resume so building houses for the poor ain't gonna happen. Likewise being independently wealthy ain't happened yet. Still working on THAT one!

But I am a photographer. What good are my pictures if no one but friends will ever see them?

So far since the middle of May, I have framed and given away 5 of my favorite shots. I have a friend that is collecting the names of elderly shut-ins that are on a fixed income. I have never

met these people and I really have no desire to. I know that sounds haughty, but that is not what I mean. I am not looking for accolades or recognition. My friend takes my framed pictures

and distributes them as needed. My shots are not watermarked so there are no strings leading back to me. I want my giving of these prints to completely free.

The frames are the simple black floating image frames that you get from Wally World for about $5.00. The prints come from Costco at about $3.00 each. I use my favorite shots

so that every person gets a small piece of me without them knowing it.

I have been told by my friend that the recipients of my pictures are visibly brightened by them and they are still talking about them. That, in turn, brightens MY day quite a lot.

I have always believed that the most sincere form of giving is anonymously. I have absolutely nothing to gain in doing this, but I find that the empty space in my soul seems to be getting

smaller.

Who'da thunk it?
 
J

jdeg

^ broke something
Staff member
It's really awesome that you're doing this Pete. If everyone had a heart like yours I'm sure the world would be different. :)
 
E

Eye-level

Banned
I can really appreciate your sentiments sir...an old man used to drum it into my head not to be like the graveyard always taking and never giving anything back...if everybody would just try a little bit harder the world would be a better place...
 
bluenoser

bluenoser

Banned
Wonderful Pete! Just wonderful! Your heart is absolutely in the right place.

(be careful or people around here are going to start thinking you're a softie!) :D
 
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C

Carolina Photo Guy

Senior Member
I'm hoping that others here at Nikonites will start to do the same thing. We have a lot of wonderful people here and only a couple of crabs (you know who you are!) so it should not be too difficult

to start an international movement.

One can only dream...
 
R

Rick M

Senior Member
That's wonderful Pete! I work with the elderly every day and know this is the type of gift that would truly make them happy and honestly appreciate. As a society we do not do nearly enough for our elders, your efforts are proof that people still care and have not forgoten what they gave us all.
 
C

Carolina Photo Guy

Senior Member
cnyram;bt409 said:
That's wonderful Pete! I work with the elderly every day and know this is the type of gift that would truly make them happy and honestly appreciate. As a society we do not do nearly enough for our elders, your efforts are proof that people still care and have not forgoten what they gave us all.
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I wouldn't be what I am today without my ancestors! :)
 
R

Ruidoso Bill

Senior Member
I very much like your attitude Pete! I have always felt the same way about giving and serving. I am so glad you are getting the sea legs back and look forward to seeing some pics away from the house and yard. What I really admire is even as sick as you were you didn't stop taking pictures (maybe for a bit), I call that one heck of a photographer that enjoys taking pictures. Thank you for sharing a little of your work and heart, now get out and take more pics...

Bill
 
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C

Claudia!

Senior Member
This was very inspiring. Genuine gestures such as these are very moving. I am also glad to see that you did not give up your love for photography due to your health. As they say, seeing you happy makes me happy. In this case, knowing that your photos made others happy makes you happy. There are certain things in life that are priceless, your genuine gestures are what I call priceless.
 
bluenoser

bluenoser

Banned
Carolina Photo Guy said:
Hi everybody. It seems that I am in another preaching mood.
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Speak it preacher man! (we love when you preach Pete!) :)
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[video=youtube;dp4339EbVn8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp4339EbVn8[/video]
 
G

gqtuazon

Gear Head
Pete - charity is always a good thing. Nothing wrong with that. I frequently provide "free" pictures during events or whenever I am invited. I share them online using photobucket. I spend a lot of time editing them since I know there are always some parents who don't have the type of equipment needed to take a good shot.

I live in a small Navy base overseas. Some of the kid's mom or dad are often deployed and this is my way of giving back to the community and to help our fellow service members. I'm sure they appreciate the pictures that I provide to them of their kids or family.

Sometimes I get asked how much do I charge for my services, my reply is that it's been paid for already.
 
C

Carolina Photo Guy

Senior Member
This is an update to the original blog.

I have been on vacation since June 22. My wife and I went to Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and West Virginia. Needless to say, we had a fantastic time!

Why am I talking about this here? Because in the large pile of mail that my neighbor collected, I found a nondescript card addressed to a lady named Ann.

Her name was crossed out and my name was added. What follows was written on the card in three different places. The names have been changed to protect the innocent!


Ann,

Thank you so much for choosing me to give the beautiful picture to.
I found a place to hang it and it matches my decor perfectly! Also
thank the man that was so thoughtful. He did a beautiful job.

Love ya!

Doris F.




Mr Brickey,

The 2 little ladies on Thomasville Rd were very thankful and humbled.
Ms Blackwell has suffered several strokes. She can't talk, but she sure
tried when I gave her your picture. You could see the thankfulness
through the tears in her eyes. God bless you Mr Brickey for bringing
joy to other people's lives.

Ann


From your mail lady,

You didn't have to do that. I was glad and honored to help. The picture
you made me is beautiful. I love the color purple. Thank you from the
depths of my heart.

Ann



I have always tried to express myself in a concise and erudite manner (When I ain't being a redneck!).
I do not know how to express the feelings that I have from reading these notes. I do know that I will continue to
do what I am doing simply because it feels right. I would urge everyone else here on Nikonites to try something
along these lines to help others. It would be a shame if I were the only one to experience this kind of joy.

I am now done being all soft and squishy.

Talk at ya later.

Pete
 
C

Carolina Photo Guy

Senior Member
cnyram;bt422 said:
That's great Pete!

BTW, next time you're in NY l'll buy ya lunch!
Click to expand...

Going from Niagara Falls to Herkimer, I went through Liverpoole but was unable to stop and chew the fat!

The best 9/10s and I have decided to make one of our next camping trips to the Liverpoole area. I'll let ya know when we leave from here.

Pete
 
S

Sambr

Senior Member
Hey Pete you are awesome :) I been doing kinda of the same thing. I have let a few "Non Profit" organizations that are very helpful in my community in helping the homeless & sick, pick the images they like from my files. I then have them matted & framed so they can sell them at silent auction. I donate every penny to their cause.
 
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