Why This Post Has No Photo

It was just a week ago Saturday that I was at the PhotoPlus Expo in New York City. I was there mostly for face-time with photo industry people I know and like. The manufacturers and distributers were there showing off their wares. Photo enthusiasts were there fondling them (the wares, that is). It did not seem to matter that few of the toys on display were actually available, nor did any of the equipment junkies seem particularly concerned about the monster hurricane that was rolling up the Atlantic, headed dead for the Northeastern U.S.

The company reps were concerned though. Most of them lived and worked in the New York metropolitan area. They knew just how vulnerable a city surrounded by water could be. Most were planning to vacate the show as soon as it was over so that they could drive or fly home and prepare for the storm.

I did likewise. I drove home that afternoon, spent most of Sunday preparing, then all of Monday watching at Hurricane Sandy grew increasingly more intense. To my amazement, despite howling winds, the sounds of falling trees, and the glow from exploding power line transformers reflected from the clouds, I awoke Tuesday morning with full electric power, water, and Internet access. My house was unscathed. My street was unobstructed. Many of my friends, neighbors, and family members weren't so lucky. Some are still without power as nighttime temperatures dip into the low 40s. Others are still waiting for five-foot diameter trees to be removed from their streets and yards. Life is by no means back to normal and may not be for weeks.

So I guess this is all just a roundabout way of saying that I didn't really feel like showing off a few of my photos and explaining how they somehow exemplify Something More. The Something More this week is Mother Nature in all her glory and fury. Only those who have lived through an experience like this can understand what a poor job a photograph or even a photo essay does of conveying its depth and scope--or how useless a camera is to someone who is suddenly without food, electricity and a warm, dry place to sleep. To be blunt, I've got more important things on my mind these days than cameras and photography.

But don't worry--I'll return to the normal programming here on Shutterfinger in a week or so. Not today though; it's just too soon.

 

 

 

Comments

[Lesley]

I cannot even imagine the fear, the loss, and the pain that so many have experienced as a result of this storm. In saying that, I am not diminishing what others have gone through in other disasters, but this is the most recent, and the one that is most on our minds at this time.
As I write this I am sitting at home, warm, recently well fed, and looking at my surfeit of belongings while thinking how lucky I am to be where I am. It's a shame that it often takes some sort of disaster for us to realize what is really important in life.
Thanks for the update, and for the reminder to cherish the things that really matter.

[Terry Williams]

I appreciate your sentiments and look forward to you resuming normal programming when you feel the time is right.

[Gordon Lewis]

Terry,

Your wish has been answered.